China Warns of Military Clash with Taiwan by 2008

[UpInArms]

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=5821494&src=rss/worldNews§ion=news

BEIJING (Reuters) - China may attack Taiwan if the island's President Chen Shui-bian pushes ahead with a plan for a new constitution by 2008, the China Daily on Friday quoted a top Taiwan affairs official as saying.

The remarks by Vice Minister of the Taiwan Affairs Office Wang Zaixi were the latest tough words by Beijing toward the democratically ruled island, which it regards as a breakaway province that must be reclaimed by force if necessary.

Beijing sees Chen's goal of adopting a new constitution in 2008 as a drive toward a formal declaration of independence, and has been preparing for a possible military showdown with Taiwan.

"New tensions and even a serious crisis in the cross-Straits situation may arise if Chen obstinately pursues his timetable," the China Daily quoted Wang as saying in an interview.

...more...

[jeff30997]

1. China is a damn bully !!!

Leave Taiwan alone damgambit!!!

[tom_paine]

10. Which is why they get along so well with the Imperial Family of Amerika

How much you want to bet that if and when that happens that the gutless Boosh (IF they still rule Amerika by then) will turn a blind eye to Taiwan.

After all, the Busheviks are about the OPPOSITE of freedom...

[AndyTiedye]

2. The Timing Suggests that The Chinese Leaders are trying to Help Bush* Win

I suppose they want to keep all those outsourcing dollars coming in.

[Charlie Brown]

3. This sounds like an idle threat.

I cannot believe that China would risk nuclear war with the West over that tiny island. "Vice Minister of the Taiwan Affairs?" That's hardly the highest rung in the ladder. This sounds like empty rhetoric. "You kids behave, or so help me I'll turn this car around right now!"

[Sterling]

11. I think it's the other way around.

"I cannot believe that China would risk nuclear war with the West over that tiny island."

I know I don't want to loser a few cities over an island on the other side of the world.

[Kinkistyle]

4. Geezus, when are the Chinese gonna get rid of this government.

I know China moves quite slowly at times and these things take a lot of time, but damn I'm getting impatient. I have a feeling that Shrub may have retarded that process these past 4 years.

[opineoaks]

6. China's history not encouraging

Looking at China's history of dividing into warring factions, I don't know that we want to encourage any instability in China's government. It would be of course splendid if they had a sudden peaceful revolution and found the One True Way to Peace and Light. However, Tiananmen and the treatment of Falun Gong, not to mention the harsh rhetoric on Taiwan and the heavy-handed censorship, don't evoke in me hopes that the present government would simply lay down their burden and retire into a few condos by the shores of Fujian.

[newyawker99]

9. Hi opineoaks!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Zorra]

5. Commie imperialist pigs. LOL.

Has the world turned upside down?

China has no claim on Taiwan, and if the democratic Republic of China wants to become a part of the People's Republic of China, then let them vote on it.

[rfkrocks]

7. The GOPs Most Favored Nation

we know how to pick friends don't we (along with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia)-we outsource our industry to a Communist China but we had no trade with Soviet Russia-makes sense to me-NOT

[Mari333]

8. We have to be nice to China, we owe them money

Bush deficit is being carried by loans from China.

[Endangered Specie]

12. Yeah, its not like we are going to bomb our creditors,

as well as our biggest supplier of all things "made in China".

IF China wants Taiwan, they are more than likely going to get it.