Taiwan and Chinese Missiles

HL Deb 30 March 1999 vol 599 cc37-8WA

Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the number of Chinese missiles targeted on Taiwan has risen from 30–50 in March 1996 to 150–200 at present; and what increase is forecast. [HL1628]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

China has reportedly deployed about 150 to 200 short-range ballistic missiles within range of Taiwan over the last five years. We have no evidence of a rapid build-up in recent months.