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Taiwan defense minister says China missiles pose threat

By Elizabeth Shim
China's latest mid-range missile, the DF-16, is being deployed as a warning to Taiwan, Taipei's defense minister said Monday. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI
China's latest mid-range missile, the DF-16, is being deployed as a warning to Taiwan, Taipei's defense minister said Monday. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

March 20 (UPI) -- China's latest midrange rocket targets Taiwan, Taipei's defense minister said Monday.

Feng Shih-kuan said China's latest intermediate-range ballistic missile, the Dongfeng or DF-16, poses a threat to Taipei, according to the Central News Agency of Taiwan and The China Post.

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Feng made the remarks when he met with Taiwan's legislative foreign affairs and defense committees.

The defense minister said China's strategic and tactical missile forces had deployed DF-16s, and the rockets show improvements, according to the press reports.

The statement marks the first time a Taiwanese government official has made public a hunch Beijing's midrange missiles are being deployed as a warning to Taipei.

Feng said he plans to gather more information through reconnaissance and surveillance and that the Patriot Advanced Capability or PAC-3 interceptor would be deployed if any hostile behavior is detected.

Taiwan may also be considering the acquisition of a comprehensive weapons package from the United States, according to the report.

Tensions between Taiwan and China escalated in 2016, after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen exchanged a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump.

China does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state.

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In December, Feng also warned of increased threats from China after Beijing's first aircraft carrier was detected sailing across the East China Sea.

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