PLA moves "elite" officers to Taiwan region from South China Morning Post

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PLA elite moved to Taiwan region WILLY WO-LAP LAM

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beijing has moved several elite PLA officers to the Nanjing Military Region leadership in preparation for possible military action against Taiwan. The commander of the First Group Army, Zhu Wenquan, had recently been promoted to chief of staff of the Nanjing region, which oversees the Taiwan area, an army source said.

Major-General Zhu was at the same time made a lieutenant-general. Based in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, the First Army is one of the PLA's best equipped units.

General Zhu is known in military circles as an expert in amphibious warfare. As chief of staff, he will play a pivotal role in manoeuvres and other means of putting pressure on Taiwan.

The source said army authorities were also considering posting Ding Shouyue, the commander of another crack unit, the 20th Group Army, to the Nanjing region.

Major-General Ding, based in Kaifeng, Henan province, was recently seen looking after logistics matters in Fujian.

He is a specialist in "urban warfare", particularly on how to wage battles in cities while minimising casualties.

A Beijing source said the civilian and military leaders congregated at the resort of Beidaihe had yet to make a decision on what to do to force Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui to give up his "two states theory".

However, the source said the transfer of elite officers and units to the Nanjing Military Region indicated that some form of mobilisation had begun in earnest.

He said local officials were working out plans on how to make up for the loss of revenue owing to the expected fall in foreign and Taiwan investment.

A source familiar with the series of meetings at Beidaihe said President Jiang Zemin was under heavy pressure from PLA officers to take resolute action.

"Jiang has been told Washington's recent decision to sell arms to Taiwan shows Beijing cannot rely on the United States to force Lee Teng-hui to yield," he said.

It is understood young and middle-aged officers in their 30s and early 40s have exerted particularly intense pressure on the civilian leadership.

The source also said: "The Young Turks have put out all sorts of game plans for 'taking over Taiwan' in official publications." Related Stories: CHINA - MAIN Elder's son appointed Fujian acting governor

Stance on statehood undeniable, Lee tells US

Senator assured over lost Boeing deal

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HONG KONG Local NPC deputies berate Lee Teng-hui

COMMENT - LETTER TO THE EDITOR Taiwanese struggle a matter of human rights

-- Johnny (JLJTM@BELLSOUTH.NET), August 10, 1999

Answers

The next 150 days are going to get curiouser and curiouser!

-- Johnny (JLJTM@BELLSOUTH.NET), August 10, 1999.

interesting. do you think they can hold off till Jan 1 or just before the rollover? the rest of the world will be so stinking busy--no one will even try to stop them.

-- Tt (cuddluppy@yahoo.com), August 10, 1999.

Revisiting the Draft

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), August 10, 1999.


They are going to grab Taiwan in January!

You heard it here first.



-- K. Stevens (kstevens@It's ALL going away in January.com), August 10, 1999.


I think they are going to grab Taiwan in the next 30 to 45 days!

-- Johnny (JLJTM@BELLSOUTH.NET), August 10, 1999.


Could we protect Taiwan and Fight a nuclear war on the Korean penninsula and keep our eyes on Russia and....

-- Johnny (JLJTM@BELLSOUTH.NET), August 10, 1999.

China will pounce on Taiwan like a cat on a mouse, torture it a little, then swallow it up!

-- Randolph (dinosaur@williams-net.com), August 10, 1999.

It could be interesting, BUT "conventional wisdom" says that the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) doesn't have sufficient amphibious assets to carry out a serious assault on Taiwan. (Several articles in the US Naval Institute journal "Proceedings".

The final question is what the US would do about such an attack...if anything.

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), August 11, 1999.


I read last week that there Navy was positioning for a Naval Blockade that we could not penetrate without force.

-- Johnny (JLJTM@BELLSOUTH.NET), August 11, 1999.

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