Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian rejected opposition calls for fresh talks with Beijing, claiming that the mainland plans a "military showdown" with the island within 10 years, AFP reported. During a nationally televised meeting with opposition leader Ma Ying-jeou, Chen said the number of ballistic missiles targeting Taiwan has risen from 200 in 2000 to more than 787 today. Chen claimed he had received information that Beijing plans to have large-scale warfare capabilities against Taiwan by 2010, and be strong enough to take full military action against the island by 2015. He also pledged not to enter into any discussions about the "1992 consensus" unless President Hu Jintao allowed Taiwan to retain its interpretation of "one China". He suggested that former KMT chairman Lien Chan raise the issue when he meets Hu later this month.
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