POWERFUL Chinese generals have quashed opposition to their hawkish Taiwan policy put up by the leaders of the frontline Fujian province.
And the Taiwan media has reported that more than 200 Chinese fishing boats were yesterday massed around a Taiwanese defence outpost in what Taipei analysts saw as a harbinger of a large-scale war game.
Chinese sources in Fujian said senior Fujian officials including party secretary Jia Qinglin had sent missives to the administration of President Jiang Zemin urging caution in handling Taiwan policy.
Mr Jia pointed out in one submission that 'we must not be rash in our approach but take an overall view', adding proper assessments should be made on the impact of the sabre-rattling on the coastal economy.
The views of Mr Jia and other Fujian leaders were circulated among senior civilian and military cadres in a regular document of the General Office of the party Central Committee.
Upon the generals' protest, however, the party leadership has decided to stop circulating internal views of dissent on Beijing's Taiwan policy.
Yesterday, the Chinese-controlled Hong Kong daily, Ta Kung Pao, ran a story on how citizens in Fujian were all supportive of the Taiwan-related mobilisation.
