China is once again putting its military might on display in order to threaten Taiwan. Hong Kong media outlets reported Tuesday that China would hold military exercises on Dongshan Island off Fujian Province. According to the reports, the exercises would involve large numbers of personnel, aircraft and submarines.
The purpose of making threats is to frighten one's opponent and in so doing to hijack that opponent's freedom to think and act. As long as no attack actually materializes, the threat of attack always remains. Former president Lee Teng-hui (???) cut to the chase concerning China's antics when he said: "A dog that bites doesn't bark, so if you want a fight, get on with it."
Lee, in his straightforward way, revealed what lies at the heart of China's military threats. China doesn't have to attack; by making occasional threats, it can always frighten some Taiwanese, ensuring that they don't dare contravene China's wishes.
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2004/06/03/2003158067A Communist Dictatorship a million times more dangerous than Saddam ever was.