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Taiwan shows off military might Taiwan shows off military might
(about 4 hours later)
Taiwan has marked its national day with a military parade for the first time in 16 years, in a show of strength apparently aimed at China.Taiwan has marked its national day with a military parade for the first time in 16 years, in a show of strength apparently aimed at China.
Fighter planes flew above the capital, Taipei, and 2,000 troops showed off military hardware through the city.Fighter planes flew above the capital, Taipei, and 2,000 troops showed off military hardware through the city.
President Chen Shui-bian used a speech to hit out at China's "relentless military build-up", and he pledged to make more efforts to join the UN. President Chen Shui-bian used a speech to hit out at China's "relentless military build-up", labelling it as a threat to world peace.
Despite being ruled separately since 1949, China views Taiwan as its land. China regards Taiwan as a renegade province that should be reunified.
Beijing has threatened to use force if Taiwan declares formal independence.Beijing has threatened to use force if Taiwan declares formal independence.
'Military intimidation''Military intimidation'
National day military displays were discontinued in 1991 as Taiwan sought to improve ties with China, and underline its own transition to democracy.National day military displays were discontinued in 1991 as Taiwan sought to improve ties with China, and underline its own transition to democracy.
The BBC's Caroline Gluck, in Taipei, said this parade was intended to signal to China that the island could defend itself if it ever came under attack. The BBC's Caroline Gluck in Taipei says the parade was a signal to China that the island could defend itself if it came under attack.
Two missiles developed in Taiwan - the Hsiung-feng III ship-to-ship missile and the Tien-kung III anti-tactical ballistic missile - were unveiled during the parade. TAIWAN-CHINA RELATIONS Ruled by separate governments since end of Chinese civil war in 1949 China considers the island part of its territoryChina has offered a "one country, two systems" solution, like Hong KongMost people in Taiwan support status quo class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/asia_pac/04/taiwan_flashpoint/html/introduction.stm">Taiwan flashpoint class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7037381.stm">In pictures: National day
TAIWAN-CHINA RELATIONS Ruled by separate governments since end of Chinese civil war in 1949 China considers the island part of its territoryChina has offered a "one country, two systems" solution, like Hong KongMost people in Taiwan support status quo class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/asia_pac/04/taiwan_flashpoint/html/introduction.stm">Taiwan flashpoint Before the parade, Mr Chen used a speech to denounce China's "ever more belligerent rhetoric and military intimidation".
But the Hsiung-feng 2E, a long-range cruise missile believed capable of targeting the Chinese mainland, did not appear. "The problem in the Taiwan Strait today does not rest with Taiwan... but with China's totalitarianism, authoritarianism and dictatorship," he said.
Such a move would have been considered extremely provocative by China, our correspondent said. Mr Chen pledged to pursue more forcefully Taiwan's bid to be recognised by the United Nations - which Beijing has repeatedly blocked.
Ahead of the parade, Mr Chen labelled China's military build-up a threat to world peace. The president wants to hold a referendum on the issue in March, when presidential elections are scheduled to take place.
He urged the international community to demand Beijing withdraw missiles along its coast which target Taiwan, and end its "ever more belligerent rhetoric and military intimidation". The government used the national day celebrations to unveil two weapons developed in Taiwan - the Hsiung-feng III ship-to-ship missile and the Tien-kung III anti-tactical ballistic missile.
He also promised more efforts to secure Taiwan a seat at the United Nations - something China has consistently blocked. But the Hsiung-feng 2E - a long-range cruise missile believed capable of targeting the Chinese mainland - did not appear.
"Our people have the right to demand appropriate representation in the United Nations," he said. Such a move would have been considered extremely provocative by China, our correspondent says.
Mr Chen wants to hold a national referendum on the issue in March, when presidential elections are scheduled to take place.