~1999

[ News ] [ Papers ]

US Promises Not to Exclude Taiwan From TMD Project: Envoy
(CNA, Dec. 29, 1999) ROC Representative to the United States Stephen Chen said on Wednesday that the Clinton administration has promised not to exclude the Republic of China from the US-proposed theater missile defense system. "In addition to expressing our interest in participating in the TMD project, we have also told American officials that our Ministry of National Defense is carefully evaluating whether to take part in the project," Chen said.

Tang: Long-Range Missiles Not Policy
(United Daily News , Dec. 10, 1999) Minister of National Defense Tang Fei yesterday described Vice President Lien Chan's comments regarding long-range surface-to-surface missiles as an "official viewpoint," but not "official policy."

China Targets Taiwan with 2nd Missile Base
(Washington Times, Dec. 8, 1999) The Defense Intelligence Agency has discovered a second Chinese short-range missile base under construction near Taiwan that will significantly increase the threat against the island, The Washington Times has learned. Disclosure of the first missile base by The Times on Nov. 23 prompted an angry exchange between Taiwan and China.

Taiwan Wants to Develop Long-Range Missiles
(AFP, Dec. 8, 1999) Vice President Lien Chan said for the first time Wednesday Taiwan should develop long-range ground-to-ground missiles to counter China. "In order to deter the enemy from invading Taiwan, we have to develop a reliable deterrent and beef up the second-strike capability," said Lien, who is running for the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) in the nationalist island's second direct presidential polls in March.

China Argues Against Planned U.S. Missile Defense
(New York Times, Nov. 24, 1999) China's chief of arms control warned on Wednesday that a planned American national missile defense system, even one intended to stop attacks from rogue states like North Korea and Iraq, would set off a global arms race and cause more countries to develop nuclear weapons.

U.S. Might Sell Missile Shields to Aid Taiwan
(Washington Times, Nov. 24, 1999) The State Department said yesterday it is watching the buildup of Chinese missiles near Taiwan and is considering sales of missile defenses to counter it. A U.S. spy satellite photographed construction at the Chinese missile base at Yangang, located about 275 miles from Taiwan, in mid-October. U.S. intelligence agencies believe the base is being readied for deployment of China's new CSS-7 Mod 2, an advanced version of a short-range missile also known as the M-11.

Bush Hints at Providing TMD to Taiwan If Elected
(CNA, Nov. 21, 1999) US Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush on Sunday reiterated that the US would honor its commitment to defend Taiwan in case of a mainland Chinese attack during his tenure if he were elected and hinted that he might provide Taiwan with The Theater Missile Defense (TMD) system.

Anti-Missile Weapons System to be Ready by 2005
(Taipei Times, Nov. 17, 1999) A top military researcher confirmed yesterday that a locally developed anti-missile system passed crucial tests in September, giving a realistic prospect for mass production of the weapons by the year 2005. "The system is designed specially to counter attacks by the M-9 and M-11 ballistic missiles from mainland China, as well as cruise missiles it is developing."

Admiral Calls for Pacific Missile Defense System
(Washington Times, Nov. 12, 1999) The United States should deploy regional missile defenses to protect U.S. troops and allies from a growing threat of North Korean and Chinese missiles, the commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Adm. Dennis Blair, says. The four-star admiral took over as commander of the 100,000 U.S. troops in the Pacific in February and has taken a harder line toward China than his predecessor, Adm. Joseph Prueher, who is retired and seeking to become the next ambassador to China.

China Warns of New Arms Race
(Washington Post, Nov. 11, 1999) China's top arms control official assailed the United States today for its campaign to develop a shield against ballistic nuclear missiles, warning that such a program could lead to a nuclear arms race and dangerously alter the strategic balance in Asia and the rest of the world.

DPP Presidential Candidate Favors Taiwan Joining TMD
(CNA, Nov. 3, 1999) Opposition Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian on Wednesday openly stated that he is in favor of Taiwan joining the US-proposed Theater Missile Defense program. Chen also proposed that the Ministry of National Defense should in future always be headed by a civilian minister rather than by a minister from a military background.

U.S. Missile Plan Hits Roadblock
(Washington Times, Oct. 22, 1999) Russia and China joined forces on Thursday to oppose U.S. missile defenses by submitting a resolution to the United Nations calling for strict compliance with an arms treaty the United States wants to change.

Taipei Considers Its Own Route to Anti-Missile Defence
(Financial Times, Oct. 7, 1999) Tang Fei, Taiwan's defence minister, says Beijing's ballistic missiles, proudly paraded during China's National Day celebrations last week, pose such a danger that Taiwan must embark on the hugely expensive and technically difficult creation of an island-wide anti-missile defence system.

Missile Defense Plan Scores a Direct Hit
(Washington Post, October 3, 1999) A prototype weapon for protecting all 50 U.S. states against ballistic missile attack passed a critical hurdle last night, acing its first intercept test by blasting a mock enemy warhead out of the sky, according to Pentagon officials

Taiwan Plans to Test Patriot Missiles
(AFP, Aug. 28, 1999) Taiwan is preparing a live-fire test of US-made Patriot missile weaponry amid calls for the establishment of a nationwide low-altitude missile shield and increased expenditure to counter any threat from the mainland.

Taiwan to Build Low-Altitude Missile Shield Against China
(AFP, Aug. 23, 1999) Taiwan's Defence Minister Tang Fei said "Many said we want to join the TMD. No, we're not going to join it. We want to set up our own." Tang added the system would target China's ballistic and other missiles and any attacks launched by the mainland's military aircraft.

China Slams Taiwan Call For U.S. Missile Shield
(Reuters, Aug 20, 1999) China denounced on Friday a call by Taiwan to be included in the proposed U.S. Theatre Missile Defence (TMD) system, demanding Washington exclude the island from the umbrella and stop selling arms to it.

Taiwan Leader Backs Missile Defense
(Associated Press, August 18, 1999) President Lee Teng-hui pushed today for an island-wide defense network to shoot down missiles that rank among China's best weapons against Taiwan.

Japan, US to Share Missile Research
(Associated Press, Aug. 16, 1999) Japan and the United States signed a plan today to conduct joint research on a missile defense system aimed in part at shielding Japan from North Korean attack.

Japan OKs Joint U.S. Missile Plan
(Associated Press, August 13, 1999) Japan's Cabinet today endorsed a plan to research a missile defense system with the United States, a project spurred in part by North Korea's ballistic missile program, a government official said.

Taiwan Not Yet Ready To Join TMD: Scholars
(CNA, July 27, 1999) Taiwan is not yet ready to join the US-proposed Theater Missile Defense (TMD) system, nor is mainland China likely to launch a nuclear attack against the Republic of China, scholars said at a Taipei forum

China Test Launches Long-Range Missile
(Reuters, Aug. 2, 1999) China test-launched a new type of long-range missile Monday in the middle of a major row with Taiwan, which Beijing sees as flirting with independence.

Chinese Missiles 'Can Hit Heart of US'
(Straits Times, June 15, 1999) Chinese missiles can now reach the heart of the United States after breakthrough technological developments, a Hongkong newspaper quoting sources reported yesterday. Before the new developments, missiles could only reach the US West Coast, the sources told the Hongkong Standard.

China Launches 2 US-Made Satellites
(Associated Press, June 12, 1999) A Chinese rocket carried two U.S.-made satellites into orbit early Saturday to serve a global paging and telephone network, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Bull's Eye For Anti-Missile Defense System
(Reuters, June 11, 1999) The United States Thursday destroyed a missile with another missile high over New Mexico in the first successful intercept test of its troubled ``THAAD'' anti-missile defense system, the Pentagon said.

China's Submarine-Launched Missile To Be Tested
(Financial Times, June 3, 1999) China plans this year to test a submarine-launched ballistic missile with a range of 5,000 miles, a decision that may raise tensions in the region and concern in Washington. The Julang II (JL II) missile, being developed to carry a nuclear warhead, would have the longest range of any sea-launched missile in China's armoury.

China Opposes US Shield for Taiwan
(AP, May 6, 1999) China called on the United States Thursday to exclude rival Taiwan from a planned anti-missile defense shield and not undermine Beijing's efforts to reunify with the island.

Sea, or Land-Based Missile Defenses Can Protect Taiwan Against Chinese
(AFP, May 4, 1999) Taiwan will require either a sea- or land-based missile defense system to protect its territory against Chinese short and medium range missile attacks, a Pentagon study made public Tuesday

Taiwan to Budget 800 Million USD for Long-Range Radar: Report (AFP, Apr. 29, 1999) The Taiwanese military plans to install two state-of-the-art radars to boost its air defense capability with Washington set to agree the deal.

Taipei "Ready to Buy US Missile Defense"
(South China Morning Post, Apr. 22, 1999) Taipei will join the controversial Theatre Missile Defence system (TMD), despite its official position that it is still considering the move, according to a close adviser to the Taiwan Defence Ministry

System Built to Ward Off Missile Attack Fails a Test
(New York Times, Mar. 30, 1999) An experimental missile defense system failed its most basic test Monday for the sixth time, failing to hit a missile launched at a New Mexico test site.

Forget Taiwan Missile Shield, China Warns
(New York Times, March 24, 1999) China's chief negotiator on Taiwan on Tuesday strongly attacked a proposal under consideration in the United States to deploy a missile defense system, warning that if it was used to protect Taiwan, it would provoke an arms race.

Taiwan Confirms Buying 'Long-Range' Radar
(AFP, Mar. 23, 1999) Taiwan's military on Tuesday confirmed reports it would install US-built long-range early warning radar systems to lift its air defense capability against China.

Taiwan's Hand Forced By China's Missile Stance
(Reuters, Mar. 23, 1999) Taiwan's top China policymaker said on Monday Taipei would rather finance civilian projects than a regional antimissile umbrella, but Beijing's military build-up may leave it no choice.

Mainland Threat Pushes Taiwan to Study TMD Feasibility: Seminar
( CNA, Mar. 20 1999) Mainland China's missile threat toward Taiwan is the prime reason behind the island's move to study the feasibility of joining the US-initiated Theater Missile Defense (TMD) system, scholars and experts attending a Saturday seminar said unanimously.

China Objects to U.S. Missile Defense Plan
(CNN, Mar. 18, 1999) China on Thursday voiced "serious concern" over a U.S. anti-missile defense bill which would revive aspects of the Reagan-era "Star Wars" project.

Japan Says Missile Defense System Not A Threat
(Reuters, Mar. 17, 1999) Japan, struggling to allay Chinese fears over its closer strategic ties with Washington, said that an envisaged U.S.-Japan missile defense system would not pose any threat to other countries.

Taiwan Finds No Comfort in China's Missile Stance (Reuters, Mar. 16, 1999)

China In Talks With Russia Over U.S. Missile Plan (Reuters, Mar. 11, 1999)

US Rejects Beijing's Warning on Taiwan (Associated Press, Mar. 9, 1999)

China Warns Against Missile Defense (Associated Press, Ma. 7, 1999)

China Says U.S. Missile Defence Plan "Last Straw" (Reuters, Mar. 5, 1999)

Beijing Blasts Washington Over Pentagon Missile Report (Reuters, Mar. 1, 1999)

Chinese Missile Buildup Is Threat to Taiwan, Report Says (Washington Post, Fe. 26, 1999)

China Attacks U.S. over 'Outer Space Battlefields' (Reuters, Feb. 12, 1999)

Anti-missile Issue Complicates U.S.-Chinese Ties (Reuters, Feb. 11, 1999)

China Warns US Against Providing Taiwan with Theater Missile Defense (Agence France Pesse, Feb. 11, 1999)

Taiwan Voices Fears Over Arms Build-Up (Financial Times, Feb. 11, 1999)

U.S.: No Increase in China Missiles (Associated Press, Feb. 11, 1999)

China's Missile Build-Up Fuels US Fears (Financial Times, Feb. 10, 1999)

Taiwan Says Aware of New China Missile Deployment (Reuters, Feb. 10, 1999)

Report: Taiwan Developing Missile Defense Alternative (AP, Feb. 7, 1999)

Taiwan to Expand Anti-Missile Capabilities(AFP, Feb. 2, 1999)

Missile Plan Puts U.S. in Quandary on China (New York Times, Jan. 22, 1999)

China Criticizes U.S. Missile Plan (AP, Jan. 21,1999)

China Opposes Inclusion of Taiwan in US-Japan Defence Pact (AFP, Jan. 19, 1999)

Cohen Says Anti-missile System No Threat to China (Reuters, Jan. 14,1999)

China Warns U.S. About Missiles (AP, Jan. 12,1999) 

Washington Ready To Help Japan With Satellites-- Cohen (Reuters, Jan. 11,1999)

China Concerned About Japan Satellite Plan (AP, Dec. 30, 1998)

Missile Defense Plan 'May Spark Regional Arms Race' (AP, Oct. 22, 1998)

US to Work with Taiwan on TMD Study (CNA, Oct. 16, 1998)

Beijing Slams as 'Anti-China' U.S.-Japan Plan for Missile Defense in Asia (AFP, Oct. 6, 1998)

US Reacts Cautiously to Call for Taiwan TMD Study (CNA, Oct. 2, 1998)

Report: Beijing to Test Fire Cruise Missiles into East China Sea (AFP, Oct. 1, 1998)

Taiwan Welcome US Congress Concern for Taiwan's Security (CNA, Sep. 30, 1998)

US to Study Missile Defense for Three Allies in Region (CNA, Sep. 25, 1998)

Taiwan Welcome US House Demand for TMD Coverage for Taiwan (CNA, Sep. 25, 1998)

Taiwan Test Fires Anti-Missile Missile: Report (AFP, Sep. 16, 1998)

China Denounces U.S. Missile Sale To Taiwan (Reuters, Aug. 28, 1998)

Taiwan Anti-ballistic Missile Test Succeeds (Reuters, Aug. 3, 1998)

Proposals for a Limited Missile Defense Create a Political Minefield By Robert E. Hunter
(LA Times, Dec. 1, 1999) China opposes U.S. limited missile defense proposals for more practical reasons. Its scientists may be telling the politicians that what the U.S. proposes to do would not, in fact, provide an effective defense against a determined Chinese nuclear attack. However, the politicians worry that the U.S. might not stop there and would instead try to build a robust missile defense system that would attempt to negate tomorrow's Chinese nuclear arsenal.

Forcing a Rethink of Global Security By Justin Brown
(The Christian Science Monitor, Nov. 12, 1999) An unrelenting US push for a missile-defense system raises concerns of friends and foes about a new arms race. While much of the Clinton administration's effort has focused on winning Russian support, China may loom as a greater danger. At the moment Beijing relies on a "minimal deterrent," in which they keep a small number of well-protected, advanced missiles in case they have to respond to an attack.With a national defense system, China's ability to threaten the US would be limited - and it would need to develop new weapons.

The Implication of TMD System in Japan to China's Security By Hong Yuan
(Nuclear Policy Project Special Report, Aug. 4, 1999) The author argues that the Japanese development of a Theater Missile Defense (TMD) system could be a prelude to Japan becoming a military power and developing nuclear weapons. The author also says that TMD poses a threat to the PRC's ambition to reunify with Taiwan.

China's Thievery Highlights Need for Missile Defense By James H. Anderson
(The Heritage Foundation, Executive Memorandum, No. 603 June 3, 1999) To counter the growing Chinese missile threat, the United States should develop sea- and space-based defenses that can identify, track, and shoot down hostile missiles shortly after liftoff and before they can release multiple warheads or decoys.

Maintaining Momentum for Missile Defense Baker Spring By Baker Spring
(The Heritage Foundation, Backgrounder, No. 1288 June 1, 1999) Given the momentum in Congress for deploying an NMD system, as well as the continuing expansion of the threat, it is important to maintain this momentum and continue progressing toward deployment of an effective NMD system to counter limited strikes on U.S. territory.

Report of House Committee on International Relations Staff Study Mission to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan
Regarding Prospects for Theater Missile Defense in Northeast Asia (May 4, 1999) The United States should approve Taiwan's request for approval to buy a long range early warning radar system, inasmuch as such a system is purely defensive in nature, is necessary to effective civil and missile defense, and is clearly warranted by China's deliberate build-up of ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan.

Report to Congress on Theater Missile Defense Architecture Options for the Asia-Pacific Region
(Pentagon, May 4, 1999) Taiwan will require either a sea- or land-based missile defense system to protect its territory against Chinese short and medium range missile attacks, a Pentagon study concludes. The congressionally mandated study also looked at the types of missile defense systems that would be needed to protect Japan and Korea, suggesting various alternatives for each country.

Missile Defense Is Wrong Call on Taiwan By Vanessa Guest
(LA Times, May 3, 1999) Current talk about including Taiwan in a "theater missile defense" for Asia, before it even becomes reality, threatens to escalate this arms race. Missile defense for Taiwan would needlessly alienate China, aggravate regional tensions and is a serious foreign policy mistake.

Early Warning Surveillance Critical to Taiwan's Defense: Report
(CNA, Apr. 29.1999) Taiwan's geographic features have made early warning surveillance for cueing purposes essential to the defense of Taiwan against communist China, according to a US Department of Defense report.

The Danger of No Theater Ballistic Missile Defenses By Colonel Larry M. Wortzel
(Strategic Studies Institute Newsletter, February 1999) Some key advantages and disadvantages of theater ballistic missile defenses can be examined by using the People's Republic of China situation as an example.

Taiwan Missile Defences By Oxford Analytica
(Reuters, Feb. 18, 1999) The TMD issue is souring relations between Taiwan and China and could fatally undermine the constructive partnership which the U.S. Clinton administration has tried to cultivate with Beijing.

U.S. Cracking Down on Chinese Designs on Nuclear Data By Walter Pincus
(Washington Post, Feb. 17, 1999) When U.S. intelligence analysts four years ago came into possession of a top-secret Chinese nuclear weapons document from the late 1980s, they saw something that seemed familiar. What they saw were designs uncomfortably similar to those of the U.S. Trident missile warhead ...

Still Rattling Missiles
(Washington Post, Editorial, Feb. 15, 1999) China is back with another show of force to Taiwan. Three years ago it fired missiles from ships conducting a military exercise in the Taiwan Strait. Now, it systematically is moving missiles -- reportedly by the hundreds -- into the part of China closest to the territory it regards as a breakaway province.

China's Missile Warning
(Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Proliferation Brief Vol 2. No. 2 February 11, 1999) Ambassador Sha Zukang, China's top arms control and disarmament official, spoke last month at the Carnegie International Non-Proliferation Conference in Washington.

Missile Threat Fuels Taiwanese Insecurity
(Financial Times, Feb. 13 1999) "Anxious Taipei is looking to its friends in Congress and sophisticated anti-missile defences."

Missile Defense, Strategic Offense By Stephen S. Rosenfeld
(Washington Post, Feb. 12, 1999) "The United States is moving into a new phase of concentration on defense against ballistic missiles, and there is a danger that it will get off on the wrong foot."

China Steps Up Missile Threat To Taiwan
(Financial Times, Feb. 10, 1999) "China has sharply increased its deployment of missiles aimed at Taiwan in a move likely to raise tensions in the region and strengthen calls in Washington for Taiwan's inclusion in a US-backed regional missile defence system."

Missile Defense At Last By Charles Krauthammer (Washington Post, Jan. 29, 1999)

USA Is Likely toTread Slowly on Taiwan Theatre Missile Defence By Bryan Bender (Jane's Information Group, Jan. 25, 1999)

Editorial: Moving to Missile Defense (Washington Post, Jan. 22, 1999)

Defense Against a Missile Attack (New York Times, Editorial, Jan. 22, 1999)

Chinese Military Modernization and Asian Security By Michael Swaine (A/PARC Research Stanford, August 1998) (need Acrobat Reader) 

Missile Launch Shoots Holes in East Asian Alliances By Philippe Noubel (Inside China Today, Sep. 17, 1998)

Theater Missile Defense (TMD) in Northeast Asia: An Annotated Chronology, 1990-Present (Center for Nonproliferation Studies, May 1998)