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Taiwan urges not to lift arms ban on China
Taiwan called on the European Union yesterday to keep an arms embargo on China, saying lifting it would encourage Beijing to use force against the self-ruled, democratic island.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:00 September 15, 2004
Taiwan called on the European Union yesterday to keep an arms embargo on China, saying lifting it would encourage Beijing to use force against the self-ruled, democratic island.
France is leading a drive to scrap the ban on arm sales to China, which could open up lucrative trade opportunities with the world's fastest-growing major economy, but has faced resistance from others in the EU and intense lobbying from the United States.
"We urge the EU to recognise China's hegemonic ambition that has prompted the expansion of its military build-up and weapons modernisation, as well as its deployment of 500 missiles targeting Taiwan," said Taiwan Foreign Minister Mark Chen.
While the 25-member EU is divided over whether to end the ban, imposed after the 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square, the minister warned of grave consequences if the embargo is lifted.
China has viewed Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be returned to the fold, by force if necessary, since their split at the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949.
Tensions have been simmering since the re-election of the independence-leaning Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian in March as Beijing is convinced Chen could push for formal statehood before his second term ends in 2008.
The foreign ministry said the cancellation of the arms export ban would help China gain military superiority over Taiwan and encourage Beijing to use force.
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