If there is one country in the world that has a legitimate reason to develop an indigenous ballistic missile and WMD program its Taiwan. Here is a nation that is only one national referendum or legislative act away from complete annihilation. If the Republic of China (i.e., Taiwan) were ever to formalize its defacto independence, it would face a reign of ruin from neighboring China.
While the US has supported Taiwan in the past, it is unlikely that the US would come to its aid in the midst of a full scale assault by the People’s Liberation Army [sic]. If, however, the US were willing to intercede on the behalf of Taiwan, it shouldn’t. As one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world, Taiwan has the wherewithal, if not the willingness to meet its own defensive needs.
For decades the US has supplied Taiwan with advanced weaponry such as the Aegis cruiser, but Taiwan would be better served defensively if it inaugurated the development more advanced medium and long range missiles, ones capable of striking any and every target in China. Taiwan would also be remised if it did not re-establish its now defunct nuclear weapons program. Presently Taiwan has contented itself to develop meager short range missiles which would hardly deter a nation of 1.2 billion which places little value on human life and would simply regard the deaths of those on its SE coast as acceptable casualties of war.
A WMD program would be the only effective deterrent against a Chinese invasion. In addition to having one of the largest standing armies in the world, China has deployed over 800 short range missiles targeted at Taiwan. If China were under the impression that cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong would disappear were they to launch those missiles they would surely think again. Unfortunately, Taiwan has pursued a different course, one that could involve the US in a war that is not its own, nor in our strategic interest. If anything given our ever growing economic ties with China, the US would be foolhardy to wage war with that nation. Taiwan must recognize that its defense is up to its own economic and military prowess.
If the leaders of Taiwan were to adopt such a weapons program it would have to be undertaken in the utmost secrecy, if China were to catch wind of such a scheme, they would surely launch a preemptive invasion. Either way, Taiwan and its people live in perpetual fear thanks to the farce of the one China policy.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/06/AR2006070600180.html
