[iwar] [fc:China.buys.U.S..satellite.data.to.target.Taiwan]

From: Fred Cohen (fc@all.net)
Date: 2002-02-07 17:52:06
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From: Fred Cohen <fc@all.net>
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Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002 17:52:06 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [iwar] [fc:China.buys.U.S..satellite.data.to.target.Taiwan]
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China buys U.S. satellite data to target Taiwan
By Bill Gertz
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

     China's military is covertly buying U.S.  commercial satellite
photographs of Taiwan that U.S.  intelligence officials say will be used
to target the island with the mainland's growing arsenal of cruise and
ballistic missiles.       Satellite photographs of most of the island
are being purchased by China through a South Korean company, U.S. 
intelligence officials say.       The purchase of high-resolution
satellite photographs is a new development indicating that China's
military is increasing the accuracy of its ballistic missiles targeted
at Taiwan and is developing a new land-attack cruise missile, the
officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.       Disclosure
of the missile-targeting reports comes amid recent signs of a thaw in
relations between China and Taiwan, which China considers a renegade
province.       President Bush is set to visit China beginning Feb.  21
for talks expected to include discussions of U.S.  arms sales and
military support for Taiwan, which Beijing opposes.       In May, China
test-fired a new cruise missile that was part of a program to deploy a
land-attack cruise missile, Beijing's answer to the U.S.  Tomahawk.  A
second test was conducted in August.       The land-attack cruise
missile is guided by an on board computer programed to fly close to the
ground and requires detailed terrain mapping data to reach its target. 
U.S.  intelligence officials believe the satellite photographs are for
such terrain mapping.       Larry Wortzel, a specialist on the Chinese
military at the Heritage Foundation, said Beijing's purchase of
satellite imagery of Taiwan is worrisome.       "Despite the talk by
China's communist leaders about seeking a peaceful resolution in the
Taiwan Strait, the People's Liberation Army is methodically preparing
for the use of ballsitic missiles and terrain and contour-modeling
[tercom] cruise missiles to attack the democratic nation on Taiwan in
order to bring it under communist rule," Mr.  Wortzel said.       "As
President Bush prepares for his trip to China, he should be told that
when PRC leaders make oral commitments to do one thing, but act secretly
to do another, it is impossible to accept their promises to stop
proliferation or their calls for 'world peace and stability.'"      Xie
Feng, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy, said he was unaware of the
satellite photograph purchases.  On the question of Taiwan, Mr.  Xie
said China seeks "peaceful reunification" but has both "the
determination and ability" to stop Taiwan's "independence."      The new
Chinese cruise missile is estimated to have the capability of carrying a
warhead weighing 1,100 pounds with a range that is not known, U.S. 
officials said.  Most long-range cruise missiles can fly at least 500
miles, with U.S.  cruise missiles having ranges up to several thousand
miles.       China also is increasing the accuracy of its short-range
ballistic missiles deployed opposite Taiwan.  Some 350 CSS-6 and CSS-7
missiles have been fielded within range of Taiwan in the past several
years, increasing tensions.       John Pike, director of
GlobalSecurity.org and a specialist on satellite imagery, said China has
no satellite that can produce high-resolution photographs.       Mr. 
Pike said U.S.  companies are not legally prohibited from selling
commercial photographs to China and that images are not covered by
export controls.       "This sort of imagery is fundamental for attack
planning," Mr.  Pike said.  "It's the basis for any sort of targeting
work for missile targeting, for any airborne assault planning they might
be doing.  You really could not think about doing serious military
planning without this sort of imagery."      U.S.  officials did not
identify the South Korean company that was buying the photographs on
behalf of China.  However, the purchase is being carried out through
Space Imaging's South Korean affiliate in Seoul.       CIA and White
House National Security Council spokesmen declined to comment. 
     Mark Brender, a Space Imaging spokesman, said, "Like many American
companies, we would like to grow the Asian market."      "We have
regional affilliates in Seoul and Tokyo," he said.  "Those affiliates
are expanding their business in China, and we require them to comply
with all U.S.  laws and regulations."      Space Imaging operates the
Ikonos satellite that is capable of taking pictures any place on Earth
and producing images sharp enough to see objects larger than about 3
feet.       Defense officials said China's military buildup opposite
Taiwan is continuing.  Last year, the largest war games in years were
held opposite the island.       Adm.  Dennis Blair, commander of U.S. 
forces in the Pacific, said in a speech last month that China and North
Korea are two places in the region where "the threat of aggression plays
a significant role."      "China retains the threat of force if Taiwan
does not meet certain conditions," Adm.  Blair said.  "It is deploying
missiles and modernizing its armed forces with the stated purpose of
intimidating Taiwan."      The statements drew a harsh rebuke from the
official newspaper of the Chinese military.  "The arguments about
'threats from China' can never intimidate China," the newspaper PLA
Daily stated Jan.  21.       China will pursue reuniting Taiwan on
Beijing's terms "and will never rule out the possibility of using force
if necessary," it said.       Three days later, Chinese Vice Prime
Minister Qian Qichen gave a speech on Taiwan that was viewed by
observers as one of the more conciliatory statements by the communist
government in years.       Mr.  Qian said that "although the two sides
are not unified, both sides should actively create conditions and strive
to reduce contradictions, improve relations between the two sides and
break through the political stalemate."      He did not repeat Beijing's
oft-stated position that China will use military force to reunite Taiwan
if efforts at peaceful reunification fail. 

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