China vs. Taiwan

[Cluster]

Taiwan Sees Military Balance Tipping to China

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TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taipei sees the military balance in the Taiwan Strait tipping in Beijing's favor as early as next year, but believes China will not have the confidence to attack the self-ruled, democratic island for another five years.

Amid simmering tension over Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's plan to hold the island's first ever referendum during presidential elections in March, Deputy Defense Minister Chong-Pin Lin said he was not ruling out conflict.

China sees the referendum as a provocative move by Taiwan toward independence and has threatened war, but Lin said the island could deal a bloody blow to invading Chinese troops.