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TAIPEI: Taiwan will flex its military muscle Wednesday, showing off two home-grown missiles during a rare parade in a warning to China that it has the means to defend itself if required.
But Defence Minister Lee Tien-yu made it clear on the eve of the parade -- the first in 16 years -- that the island's first cruise missile, called Hsiung-feng 2E, will not be on display, after reported pressure from Taipei's ally Washington.
The cruise missile's specifications are not available, but analysts say it has a range of at least 600 kilometres (372 miles) and could be launched from land bases or warships.
If deployed, the weapon could potentially be used to strike military airports and missile bases in southeastern China and coastal cities such as Shanghai and Hong Kong, analysts say.
Under tight security at Wednesday's National Day parade, beginning at 0200 GMT, the Taiwanese military will roll out its advanced weaponry as fighter jets fly in formation and an elite squad of paratroopers land on Taipei's presidential office square using paragliders, if weather permits.
The most eye-catching weaponry to be displayed will be the supersonic Hsiung-feng 3 (Brave Wind) ship-to-ship missile and the Tien Kung 3 (Sky Bow) anti-missile system.
"The display of military equipment is a kind of effective deterrent, so the Chinese communists will be aware that Taiwan is tough," Defence Minister Lee said last week.
Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian has repeatedly accused China of provoking the island by targeting it with nearly 1,000 missiles, and the parade appears to be a bid to show Beijing its military might is not to be underestimated.
Tensions between Taipei and Beijing, which considers the island part of its territory awaiting reunification, have recently flared over the government's controversial bid to seek a seat in the United Nations.
Jane's Defence Weekly says the Hsiung-feng 3 can be fitted with a variety of guidance systems and function as an anti-ship, land attack or anti-radar missile.
With a range of at least 130 kilometres, the Hsiung-feng 3 has been designed to counter the Russia-made SS-N-22 Sunburn bought by China, said Chang Li-teh, managing editor of the Taipei-based Defence Technology Monthly.
The development of Tien Kung 3 weaponry highlights Taiwan's efforts to develop its own anti-missile shield, known as the Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile (ATBM) system.
Taiwan has already deployed three batteries of US-made Patriot II anti-missiles to defend the densely populated greater Taipei area and is seeking to buy Patriot IIIs, an improved version.
The National Day celebrations will be the last under President Chen Shui-bian, a senior politician from the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, who is nearing the end of his second and final term. - AFP/ac
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