Nearly 800 Missiles deployed by China against Taiwan

Taipei, (CNA): China had deployed 784 Dongfeng-series short-range ballistic missiles against Taiwan as of the end of 2005, with the number increasing by between 75 and 100 every year, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said in its annual national defense report released Tuesday.

According to the report, the missiles are capable of reaching Taiwan proper about seven minutes after launch.

The MND estimates that China's military buildup has focused on upgrading the precision of its guided and cruise missiles so as to be able to make precise attacks on specific political and military targets in Taiwan.

The report noted that China has in recent years actively introduced advanced weaponry systems and technology, including Sukhoi high-performance fighters, AWAC planes, large transportation planes, Kilo-class submarines, and Sovremennyy-class destroyers.

These, coupled with upgraded ballistic and cruise missiles as well as domestically-designed weaponry systems, have gradually shifted the military balance in the Taiwan Strait in China's favor, the report said.

The report also estimated that if China launches an attack on Taiwan in or around the year 2008, it will probably use intimidation strategy. Between 2008 and 2010, if the military balance in the Taiwan Strait continues to tilt toward China, then it will be favorable for China to combine "intimidation, paralysis and invasion" strategies together, according to the report.