Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou demanded on April 6 that China remove missiles aimed at the island before any peace talks. Beijing must scrap or move missiles, which Taiwan suspects are piling up in China some 160 km (100 miles) away, to begin any discussion on a peace accord, an idea welcomed by both sides when Ma took office in 2008, the president told a group of U.S. scholars.
His uncharacteristically strong remarks are seen helping to build a tough-on-Beijing image for Taiwan's ruling Nationalist Party ahead of tense year-end local elections against Taiwan's main opposition party, which generally takes a more anti-China line.
Ma's comment also could dent recent momentum in trade, including an economic cooperation framework agreement expected to be signed by June, which has sweetened Taiwan's export-reliant economy and boosted financial markets although overall ties with China remain highly divisive. (Source: Reuters, Apr 6, 2010).