CHINA/TAIWAN: Taiwan flexes its military muscle on National Day, China analyst says Taiwan's military display is just for show

Taiwan stages a military performance on National Day for the first time in 16 years as it reaffirms its commitment to boost spending to counter the growing threat from Beijing, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province to be reunited by force if necessary. Taiwan rolled out its top weaponry for a National Day parade for the first time in 16 years on Wednesday (October 10), a move aimed at antagonising China and boosting nationalist fervour at home ahead of tough elections. Columns of soldiers marched in 'lock-step' before gathered officials, including President Chen Shui-bian who used the occasion to condemn China's hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics, as police kept small bands of protesters at bay. Launchers for local and U.S.-supplied Patriot anti-missile systems rumbled past the Presidential Office, as U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets and attack helicopters roared over the capital. China has claimed self-ruled Taiwan as its own since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949 and pledged to bring the democratic island back under its rule, by force if necessary. "Taiwan and the People's Republic of China are two separate countries. This is not only an historical fact, but also a current state across the Taiwan strait. The People's Republic of China has no rights or capability to represent 23 million people in the United Nations. The Taiwan people have the right to represent themselves in the United Nations, using the name of Taiwan as a new state member to apply for entry into the United Nations," said President Chen. The military parade succeeded in stirring up patriotism and pride amongst the Taiwanese. "I think it was spectacular. They seemed fake before but after today they become very real to me," said Ms. Sha, who watched the display from the sidelines. China holds its National Day on October 1, the date in 1949 Mao Zedong proclaimed the People's Republic of China. Taiwan marks October 10 which celebrates an uprising in 1911 that led to the collapse of China's last dynasty. Analysts say Chen authorised the parade to stir patriotism as his Democratic Progressive Party campaigns ahead of tight legislative and presidential elections next year on a platform of national identity separate from China. Many in China also do not see Taiwan as an independent country. "I don't think what he (Chen Shui-bian) is doing has any purpose, and will not make much difference. It is for sure that Taiwan's independence is not going to happen, and his attempt to access the United Nations is bound to fail. I am sure our government will not tolerate him," said Beijing citizen Mr. Miao. Taiwan's military currently procures only around 30 percent of its equipment domestically, with the remainder sourced largely from the United States. The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, recognising "one China", but is obliged by the Taiwan Relations Act to help the island, recognised by just a handful of countries around the world, defend itself.

ITN Source | October 10, 2007

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