June 5,2008: Taiwan's newly elected, pro-China, president visited China recently and met with Chinese leaders. While Taiwan still maintains its independence, by backing away from formally declaring independence, China felt obliged to make nice as well. So China will stop installing cruise and ballistic missiles on the coast opposite Taiwan (180 kilometers away across the Taiwan Straits), and then begun reducing the number (about 1,300) currently installed. Taiwan did not announce that it would also shut down its anti-ballistic missile program, or purchase of additional U.S. F-16 fighters.

The Chinese missiles carry one ton or half ton warheads, and were expected to be used to try and cripple Taiwanese air force and navy, as well as attacking headquarters and communications targets. After that, China would try to invade with airborne and amphibious forces. Without those missiles, Taiwans's superior air and naval forces would make it very difficult, if not impossible, for the invasion force to cross the straits.