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China military buildup threatens US forces: CIA chief
 WASHINGTON - China's military buildup could tilt the strategic balance with Taiwan and also threaten US forces in Asia, CIA director Porter Goss warned on Wednesday. Testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Goss also highlighted threats to the United States from North Korea, which he warned could resume missile tests anytime after boasting of its nuclear weapons' might last week. "Beijing's military modernisation and military buildup could tilt the balance of power in the Taiwan Strait," said Goss, who took over as CIA director in September. "Improved Chinese capabilities threaten US forces in the region," he told the committee assessing the main security threats to the United States.Goss said that China was stepping up efforts to "develop robust, survivable nuclear armed missiles as well as conventional capability for use in regional conflicts." He added: "If Beijing decides that Taiwan is taking steps toward permanent separation that excedes Beijing's tolerance, we assess China is prepared to respond with varying levels of force." With already 600 missiles pointed at the island, China has stepped up warnings to Taiwan in recent months about moves toward what it fears could be a declaration of independence. The Beijing leadership has warned many times that it would use force to stop Taiwan making a formal breakaway. "China is increasingly confident and active on the international stage," said Goss, "trying to ensure that it has a voice on international issues and secures access to natural resources and to counter what it sees as United States' efforts to contain or encircle it." Posted by: Steve White 2005-02-17 |
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