Former Premier Hao Pei-tsun (郝柏村), who was the most powerful man in Taiwan's military during the rule of the late President Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國), yesterday revealed that Taiwan had long ago acquired the ability to produce nuclear weapons, without actually having launched any test explosions.
"Following the success of [Taiwan's] nuclear program, President Chiang openly declared that Taiwan had become a nuclear-capable country, but that it would not bring the research results into production," Hao said, speaking to reporters at a book launch for his two-volume work published under the title of Eight-year's diary as the Chief of the General Staff.
"We never conducted any nuclear tests. Our researchers at the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) managed to simulate tests on a computer through data they had acquired on nuclear explosions."
PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES
"We are similar to Israel in this respect. Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons. But there has never been any reports of nuclear tests conducted in that Middle East country," he said.
Hao did not specify which year CSIST's nuclear program succeeded in its research, but it is believed to have been in the late 1970s or early 1980s -- before the US sent nuclear experts to Taiwan to deactivate nuclear reactors at CSIST in 1988.
The US government was briefed on Taiwan's secret nuclear programs by a top CSIST researcher during his defection.
Besides his comments on Taiwan's nuclear program, Hao also reminded the public of his contribution to the military and the country during his term as the head of the armed forces.
"It was me who decided to buy F-16 and Mirage jet fighters, as well as second-generation fighting ships. Everybody now talks about second-generation weapons. Where did those weapons come from?" Hao said.
As to the allegations of commission-taking during the purchase of these second-generation weapons -- especially the Lafayette-class frigates and Mirage aircraft -- Hao emphatically denied such activities took place.
"The military imposed strict restrictions on agents involved in the arms deals. During my eight-year term as chief of the general staff, I did not find any irregularities in connection with those arms purchases," he said.
Hao also harshly criticized the current military leadership, who he said "are tending to become more like politicians."
"I am very concerned about this trend among military leaders. If they lead their troops [into battle] in the same manner, there could be very grave consequences," he warned.
Asked by reporters about his response to a proposal by Vice President Lien Chan (
"I am not sure whether Lien consulted any military specialists before he made the proposal. From my knowledge as a serviceman, I think it would be meaningless to send such a missile thousands of kilometers deep into the mainland armed with only a conventional warhead," Hao said.
"CSIST has the ability to develop and build a propulsion system for a missile with a range of thousands of kilometers. But we still need a nuclear warhead to make the weapon become cost-effective," he said.
Meanwhile, Hao called on the public not to panic about reported Chinese military developments and exercises aimed at intimidating Taiwan.
"China's targeting of short-range missiles on Taiwan is of no more serious consequence than the training of our own heavy artillery [on Kinmen Island] toward on the mainland's coastal provinces," Hao said.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College