Chen oversees draft of first NSC report

The report, compiled by Chen’s National Security Council, outlines issues relating to Taiwan’s new security environment and China’s military threat.

It was not immediately clear if the report will signal any new policy changes.

“The report... is to assemble a consensus among government leaders on the broad direction the nation is taking ... and garner a universal consensus between the government and public on national security,” Chen said in an address to the conference.

Chen described the publication as Taiwan’s first-ever national security report

“No one can deny the importance of national security,” Chen said. “But, what kind of new threats is the nation facing? What kind of challenges? And what actions should we take?”

The report was originally set to be published last summer but was found by Chen’s security advisers to need over ten revisions. The report was also delayed by last year’s local elections, where the ruling party saw a surprise defeat, and by a cabinet reshuffle that came shortly afterwards.

The report, compiled by Chen’s top security advisers after many cross-ministerial consultations, is divided into five main chapters,

Chapter two entitled Taiwan’s new security environment looks at global changes brought about by the September 11 attacks, developments in the Asian security environment, the impact and influence of globalization and the resulting changes in values, opportunities and challenges in Taiwan.

Chapter three entitled: “Internal and external threats to national security” includes China’s rising military threat, threats in sea regions surrounding Taiwan, China’s diplomatic strategies to isolate Taiwan, threats to financial security, threats to Taiwan’s population structure and ethnic relations,.

Chapter three also looks at threats created by problems relating to Taiwan’s national identity and related crises of confidence, territorial security and threats created by biological warfare. It also looks at information security threats and threats created by other strategies China is using towards the island.

The section on China’s military threat covers the rapid growth of China’s People’s Liberation Army, China’s escalating military budget, the strike capabilities and accuracy of the PRC’s long range missiles, new warfare tactics and problems relating to theft of sensitive technology.

Chapter four entitled “National Security Strategies” includes areas such as national transformation, setting up accurate and adequate self-defense forces, protecting maritime interests and promoting multi-faceted foreign diplomacy. It will also look at ways to promote ethnic pluralism within one nation, look at setting up security systems to protect information technology and setting up mutual trust mechanisms with China for creating peace and security.It will also examine Taiwan’s population policy and look at ways to create sustainable development.

Chapter one will be the introduction and Chapter five the conclusion.

Officials denied that the report clashes with the authority of Cabinet.

“Cabinet is taking a positive attitude to this document, which we will take as a guide,” said Cabinet spokesman Tseng Wen-tsan.

National Security Council (NSC) secretary general Chiou I-jen said the content in the report was legally binding but did not encroach on the lawful authority of Cabinet.

“This is because over 80 per cent of attendees at the national security conference were Cabinet ministers,” Chiou said.

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