Just Before Dawn On March 8, three 30-foot, 6-ton missiles blasted through the waters surrounding Taiwan. The weapons, fired by China, carried no explosives and missed the land. But they frightened the Taiwanese people.
Taiwan will hold its first democratic presidential election on March 23. Chinese officials believe that one candidate, current leader Lee Teng-hui, wants to make Taiwan completely independent of China. Lee is expected to win the election. He has angered China by becoming friendly with democratic countries.
After World War II, China claimed Taiwan as a province. When the Communist Party won control of China in 1949, millions fled to Taiwan and set up a separate government. Relations between the mainland and the island have been tense ever since.
The Chinese government wants to keep Taiwan part of China. World leaders believe that by shooting those missiles, China was showing its military power to demonstrate how easily it could attack tiny Taiwan.
Too Close For Comfort
Last week China fired more weapons near the Taiwanese islands. Many Taiwanese, fearing war, stocked up on food and rushed to withdraw their money from banks. Protesters held angry demonstrations in the streets.
The U.S. is concerned, and has two warships stationed nearby, ready to prevent an invasion of Taiwan. That upsets China. Warned Foreign Minister Qian Qichen: "Taiwan is a part of China and not a protectorate of the United States." A protectorate is a land that relies on a stronger nation for safety.
Both China and Taiwan would like to have a peaceful relationship. Lee says that the Taiwanese are opposed to communism, not to being part of China. Last week he called on his people to "unite and struggle on."