Pentagon: China Aiming Missiles at Taiwan

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-297089...



WASHINGTON (AP) - China is acquiring short-range
missiles much faster than U.S. officials had thought and
is aiming the weapons at Taiwan and possibly at U.S.
forces to block their use on the island's behalf in any
future conflict, according to a Pentagon report.

``Preparing for a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait
is the primary driver for China's military modernization,''
said the report on Beijing's military. The report,
submitted annually to Congress, was released
Wednesday.

China has about 450 short-range ballistic missiles but is
expected to increase its inventory by more than 75
missiles each year. The sophistication and accuracy of
the missiles have improved, with the Chinese army
developing longer-range models of the CSS-6 missile
capable of reaching as far as Okinawa, Japan, home to
more than 33,000 U.S. troops.

A senior defense official, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, said China may be using Okinawa ``to
checkmate or deter or threaten U.S. involvement'' if
conflict erupts in the Taiwan Strait, which separates the
Chinese mainland from Taiwan.