Taiwan Test-Fires Cruise Missile Capable Of Striking China

Taiwan has test-fired a cruise missile capable of hitting rival China, it was reported today, amid fresh tensions across the region.

The Hsiung-Feng 2E (brave wind) cruise missile, currently capable of a range of 600 kilometres, was test-fired at the southern Chiupeng missile base on February 2, the 'United Daily News' reported, citing a military source.

The missile could be fired from land bases, airplanes or warships and has the ability to hit Shanghai or Hong Kong, the paper said, and its range could be increased to 1,000 kilometres. The Defence Ministry declined to comment on the report.

The report comes as tensions across the Taiwan Straight have risen after President Chen Shui-Bian pledged to push for independence and a new constitution earlier this week.

Chen told the pro-independence group Formosan Association for Public Affairs Sunday: "I want to say this again, 'Four wants, one no'. That is, Taiwan wants independence, Taiwan wants to change its name, Taiwan wants a new constitution, Taiwan wants development."

"There is no such problem as left and right in the path of development but there is only the problem of independence and reunification," said Chen.

Chen, Defence Minister Lee Jye and another senior politician from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) witnessed the missile test, the report said without identifying sources. (ZeeNews.Com)
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