Dragon Fire

Military Headquarters, Western Hills, China

General Leung Liyin, the Chinese Defence Minister, was unable to control his anger when talking to President Tao. ‘We have made it absolutely clear that if Taiwan declares independence we will attack. If we allow the declaration to go ahead, we will be weakened for generations. The Nationalists will have won the war in which our fathers fought. The Americans will increase its power in East Asia. Internal dissent will increase and the Communist Party will be lucky to stay in power. Total chaos will follow.’

‘It could mean war against America,’ said Tao softly.

Leung banged the table. ‘They won’t touch us. They know we could take out one of their cities with the DF-41. Their theatre missile-defence system cannot guarantee a missile will not get through. We are prepared to lose cities and the Americans are not. That is why we will win.’