In his New Year's address, President Chen Shui-bian said that China has been trying to change the status quo across the strait through its military build-up. China's tactical ballistic missiles across the strait have grown from 200 seven years ago to 1328 today.

Chen said that China also has a three-stage plan for its People's Liberation Army to invade Taiwan. He is referring to Beijing's plan to establish contingency-response combat capabilities by 2007, to build up its combat capability for a large-scale military engagement by 2010, and to ensure victory in a decisive battle by 2015.

Beijing is also ready to designate an "air defense identification zone" in the Taiwan Strait and open a new civil air route along the median of the Taiwan Strait.

The president called for greater unity in Taiwan as it faces the threat of China.