China Begins Taiwan Strait Maneuvers

Amid heightened tensions between China and Taiwan after Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian’s scrapping of Taiwan’s National Unification Council, China began a series of military exercises in the Taiwan Strait yesterday

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army newspaper reported that joint military exercises began in the Beijing, Shenyang, Chengdu, and Guangzhou Military Districts on March 2. It also said that commanders and staff officers directed army, navy, and air force operations hundreds of kilometers away in a virtual joint exercise using information networks on February 28.

Chengdu headquarters dispatched about 20 satellite and communications specialists as part of the exercise.

Taiwan is watching China’s moves closely and preparing for a full-scale war itself, said a local newspaper. Sources at Taipei’s defense ministry said, “The chances of a Beijing invasion are slim. But there is the possibility of an attack against the head of the Taiwan government.”

Yoo-Seong Hwang yshwang@donga.com