Milestone: China Issued First National Defence Policy

Milestone: China Issued First National Defence Policy

  Read here full article from AFP newswire

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China has issued a national defence policy to crush "the vicious rise" of Taiwan independence forces at its core.

It is the first time such a policy has been issued since President Hu Jintao became military chief.

An 85-page white paper outlined a list of security threats, including nuclear issues on the Korean peninsula and Japan's constitutional changes, but its main thrust was on its strained relations with Taiwan.

It describes them as "grim" and made clear any attempt at independence would be harshly dealt with.

"Should the Taiwan authorities go so far as to make a reckless attempt that constitutes a major incident of Taiwan independence, the Chinese people and armed forces will resolutely and thoroughly crush it at any cost," the white paper said.

"The Taiwan authorities under [President] Chen Shui-bian have recklessly challenged the status quo...and markedly escalated the Taiwan independence activities designed to split China."

The document says it was the "sacred responsibility" of the Chinese armed forces to stop Taiwan independence forces from splitting the country.

It accuses Chen and his Democratic Progressive Party of inciting anti-China sentiment and also slammed US arms sales to the island, which China considers part of its territory.

"[The United States] continues to increase, quantitatively and qualitatively, its arms sales to Taiwan, sending a wrong signal to the Taiwan authorities," it said.

"The US action does not serve a stable situation across the Taiwan Straits."

The policy paper came as China's legislature deliberated a proposed "anti-secession law" aimed at preventing Taiwan from declaring formal independence.

China sees Taiwan as part of its territory even though it broke with the mainland in 1949 after a civil war.

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