-
- China is building up its missile forces in preparation
for possible attacks against Taiwan - and the United States if the U.S.
military comes to the island's aid. The large number of regional offensive
missile systems, backed by space-based spying systems, will be the
"cornerstone
of People's Liberation Army warfighting early in the
21st century"
and a "devastating weapon of military
utility," according to
a Pentagon report.
-
- "Beijing's drift toward a
force dominated by offensive
theater missiles could have significant
implications for regional stability,"
the report said. "In
the most likely scenario for their use, the PLA's
growing arsenal of
highly accurate and lethal theater missiles, and a preemptive
doctrine
could give Beijing a decisive edge in any future conflict with
Taiwan."
-
- Regarding U.S. involvement in a war between China and
Taiwan,
the report makes clear that Beijing won't hesitate to attack.
-
- "The PLA has
indicated a willingness to use highly
accurate short-range ballistic
missiles, medium-range ballistic missiles
and land attack cruise
missiles against U.S. assets, to include key bases
in Japan and
aircraft carriers operating in the Western Pacific,"
the report
said, noting that Chinese weapons planners are working hard
at
preparing missiles to attack U.S. carriers.
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