Taiwan deploys anti-China missiles

Taiwan deployed cruise missiles that can strike key military bases along the southeast coast of the Chinese Mainland.

"In case of war in the Taiwan strait, the missiles could be used to attack the airports and other military bases of the People's Liberation Army", said Kevin Cheng, editor-in-chief of Taipei-based Asia Pacific Defense Magazine.

Having range of 500 kilometers (300 miles), mass production of "Hsiungfeng" (bravewind) 2E made in Taiwan has been completed and came into service, cited by an unnamed military source in Liberty Times.

The paper revealed that the military costs around $ 1.02 billion dollars for the project codenamed "Chichun" (Lance Hawk) but the ministry declines to comment on the report.

Taiwanese experts estimates the People's Liberation Army (China's military) has more than 1,600 missiles aimed at the island. "To some extent, the weaponry can serve as a deterrent", Cheng added. He even estimated 100 Hsiungfeng 2E missiles pointing at China.

Song Jaw Wen, a member of the panel of experts invited by the military to screen Taiwan's 2011 National Defense report said it was the first time cruise missiles aimed China.

As Ma Ying-Jeou of the China-friendly Kuomintang came to power in 2008, tensions across Taiwan Strait beefs up trade links and allowing in more Chinese tourists. Ma got re-elected for his second and last four-year term in January.

Still, China declines to renounce the possible heat against the island in its long-stated goal of retaking Taiwan. -GIAN — ARA