China eyes force that can attack Taiwan by 2020: MND report

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/10/26
By: Lu Hsin-hui and Lilian Wu

Taipei, Oct. 26 (CNA) China has in recent years continued to upgrade several major weapon systems to complete preparations for a reliable fighting force that can attack Taiwan by 2020, the Ministry of National Defense has said in an annual report on Taiwan’s security.

Though China has said repeatedly that it hopes to solve disputes between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait through peaceful means, it continues to ramp up combat readiness, and its desire to take Taiwan by force has not changed despite the warming of cross-strait ties.

An advanced copy of the report, which is scheduled to be published Tuesday, said China has dramatically upgraded its early warning, command and control, battleground reconnaissance, airplane and vessel navigation, communications encryption and precise striking capability.      [FULL  STORY]