Taiwan has no spy satellites of its own and relies on those of the U.S. and other countries in gathering intelligence, said major general Wang Jeng-shiao yesterday at a press conference held at MND.

Wang said that mainland China’s missile strike on its own defective weather satellite two week ago was an attempt by the country to flex its might. “Mainland China’s development of anti-satellite weapons represents the country’s intention to gain leverage in its relations with the rest of the world as well as military advantage in space,” read a statement released by MND.

At the same time, the MND yesterday confirmed reports that the mainland has increased its total number of missiles aimed at Taiwan to more than 900.

“At this point, there are 880 ballistic missiles, and more than 100 cruise missile within range of the entire island,” said Wang.

The number of missiles has risen greatly since the election of Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian of the pro-Taiwan independence Democratic Progressive Party has raised a contentious debate within the island over whether or not to counter the threat with the purchase of military equipment from the U.S. A proposal to purchase Patriot missile systems, submarines, and anti-submarine aircraft from the United States is being stalled in the legislature by the opposition party Kuomintang.

Meanwhile, the mainland continues to build up its military in the event of a showdown with Taiwan.

The MND yesterday confirmed reports that the communist country has just deployed its newly developed Jian-10 fighter jets to airbases in Zhejiang and Guangxi provinces within striking range of Taiwan.

With combat capabilities similar to that of Taiwan’s F-16A/B’s, the Jian-10 fighter when combined with Su-27 and Su-30 fighter jets can give the mainland air superiority over Taiwan, said Wang.

Wang warned of the rise of the mainland as a military power in recent years and urged the Taiwan public to face that fact.

“Republic of China citizens should face the fact the mainland has risen, and should not be lured into a false sense of security,” said Wang.

The MND pleaded with legislators and the public to support the passage of the arms procurement bill.

“The major arms purchases are all needed by the military, and will profoundly impact the stability of the Taiwan strait as well as the Asia-Pacific region,” the lieutenant general Tung Hsiang-lung.

The Patriot missile systems, submarines, and anti-submarine aircraft can provide anti-missile coverage for central and southern Taiwan and counter the enemy’s sea offensive, effectively providing a level of deterrence for a mainland attack, said Tung.

Tung warned of negative consequences if the arms procurement bill continues to suffer delays.

“If the Taiwan people cannot push forward a reasonable arms purchase, what would an outsider think of the island’s determination to defend itself?” said Tung.

The MND particularly stressed the importance of the submarine, putting it foremost on the list of items to be pushed forward.

“We have been trying to buy the submarines for over twenty years, and now the delay can put the purchase in peril, which will accelerate the military imbalance between the two sides of the strait,” said Tung.

MND’s military spokesman in the end, however, offered a gesture of peace towards the mainland.

Major general Wu Chi-fang said that the MND wants to talk with its mainland China military counterpart on setting up a mechanism to ensure mutual trust, but “they don’t want to.”

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