In Taiwan’s missile show, nearly one-third miss target

TAIPEI - Taiwan Tuesday held a live-fire missile test to show its self-defence capabilities, but nearly one-third of the missiles missed their target.

The drill comes as Chinese President Hu Jintao starts his visit to the United States one week after China unveiled its first stealth fighter.

The military fired 19 missiles at the Chiupeng base in the island’s south but six missed target.

President Ma Ying-jeou, who watched the drill, said he was “not very satisfied”.

“Whatever the reason is … there is still room for improvement. I have always instructed the troops to beef up training and keep our war-preparedness at a high level,” he said.

Air Force Lieutenant General Pan Kung-hsiao said the six missiles failed due to propulsion problems, and Taiwan would contact their manufacturers to solve the problems.

The weapons were supplied by several manufacturers in France, the US and Taiwan. It was not clear which missiles missed the target or malfunctioned.

Taiwan, split from China since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, has been increasingly worried over China modernizing its armed forces as Beijing regards the island as a breakaway province.

The US remains Taiwan’s main arms supplier, but Taipei fears the US might sacrifice Taiwan’s interests while trying to improve ties with China.