Beijing - China has sharply increased its deployment of missiles aimed at Taiwan in a move likely to raise tensions in the region and strengthen calls in Washington for Taiwan's inclusion in a US-backed regional missile defence system.
The Chinese military has stationed 150 to 200 M-9 and M11 missiles in its southern regions aimed at Taiwan. It plans to increase the number to 650 missiles over the next several years, according to military analysts in Washington privy to a classified Pentagon report.
A senior administration official said the build-up risked heightening tensions in the region. China "couldn't assume that a continued missile build-up in south-east China will go unanswered".
The reported escalation of China's missile capability, coming before a planned visit to Washington in the spring by Mr Zhu Rongji, the Chinese premier, is emerging as a serious foreign policy headache for the Clinton administration.