Taipei, Dec. 30 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Thursday that mainland China's so-called anti-secession legislation is aimed at altering the cross-Taiwan Strait status quo and further thwarting the Republic of China's survival in the international community.
Chen made the remarks while addressing a ceremony to mark the promotion of 41 new generals in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the ROC armed forces.
Over the years, Chen said, the mainland has declined to renounce the option of using force against Taiwan and has never ceased its military maneuvers targeting Taiwan. Besides continuing to enhance its military spending and overall combat capabilities, Chen said, the mainland is now even working on a so-called anti-secession law aimed at changing the cross-strait status quo and blocking Taiwan's presence in the world arena.
Noting that mainland submarines can now reach waters within the "second island chain" of the Pacific Ocean covering the Kuriles, Hokkaido, the Marianas and Palau, Chen said Taiwan's security faces a grave threat and Asia-Pacific regional security is also at stake.
In the face of this new challenge, Chen said the ROC armed forces must speed up combat training and arsenal renovation to effectively deter any possible mainland invasion and ensure permanent peace in the Taiwan Strait.