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	Taiwan Launches Its Largest-Ever Missile Ship
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        <h1 class="title">Taiwan Launches Its Largest-Ever Missile Ship</h1>
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    <div><b>By Staff</b> <span class="date">/ Published Dec. 24, 2014</span></div>
    <span class="dateline-text">SUAO, Taiwan, </span>
    <p>Taiwan on Tuesday launched its largest ever missile ship Tuesday as the island strives to modernize its armed forces in response to a perceived threat from China.</p>
<p>The 500-ton corvette named "Tuo Chiang" — Tuo River — is the first of its kind ever produced by Taiwan and was touted by defense minister Yen Ming as "the fastest and most powerful" in Asia.</p>
<p>Armed with 16 missiles including eight supersonic Hsiung-feng III (Brave Wind) anti-ship missiles, it will boost Taiwan's defense capabilities against its giant neighbor, which considers the island part of China's territory awaiting to be reunited by force if necessary.</p>
<p>"From now on, the navy's combat capabilities will reach a crucial milestone, Yen said at a launch ceremony held in the port of Suao, in northeastern Yilan county.</p>
<p>"The completion of the new generation of naval warship is expected to ensure security in the Taiwan Strait and protect shipping lanes," he added.</p>
<p>Vice Admiral Wen Chen-kuo told AFP that "the supersonic missile is very difficult to intercept"</p>
<p>The sleek twin-hulled ship uses stealth technology to reduce the reflection of radar waves, making it harder to detect, with a maximum speed of 38 knots per hour and a range of 2,000 nautical miles (3,704 kilometers).</p>
<p>It set sail briefly Tuesday to show its capabilities to reporters before returning to the port again.</p>
<p>The corvette is scheduled to be deployed in Taiwan waters after further tests and is the prototype of up to 11 others to be built by the navy.</p>
<p>Its launch comes after the US Congress passed a bill last week authorizing President Barack Obama to transfer up to four Perry-class guided missile frigates to Taipei.</p>
<p>China slammed the deal, saying a diplomatic protest had been lodged with the US.</p>
<p>"We are firmly opposed to arms sales to Taiwan by the US," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang.</p>
<p>Ties between Taiwan and China have eased markedly since Ma Ying-jeou of the China-friendly Kuomintang party came to power in 2008, ramping up trade and allowing in more Chinese tourists.</p>
<p>But Beijing still refuses to renounce the use of force, even though Taiwan has been self-governing since the end of a civil war in 1949, prompting the island to continually modernize its armed forces.</p><br />
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