91.   During the talks, both Kubo and Lin refrained from mentioning the recent Chinese missile tests and military exercises near Taiwan.

92.   The official also spoke of the Chinese missile program and the threat it poses to the region, Kyodo said.

93.   The United States has ordered two aircraft carriers and their battle groups into waters off Taiwan in response to Chinese missile tests and military exercises in the Taiwan Strait.

94.   The Taiwanese Defence Ministry has confirmed that four Chinese missiles were fired on the first and second days of the exercise, although one missed the target zone.

95.   The Taiwanese Defense Ministry refused to confirm the firing, saying there was no need to report every Chinese missile fired near Taiwan.

96.   The widening rift between Beijing and Washington has been aggravated, too, by renewed reports of Chinese missile sales to Pakistan.

97.   There was no comment from Singapore officials on the Chinese missile tests.

98.   The US newspaper, quoting American intelligence, said Pakistan had deployed nulear-capable Chinese missiles and that this could trigger economic sanctions against the two countries.

99.   They were alluding to Chinese missile tests off the coast of Taiwan last year ahead of popular elections won by President Lee Teng-hui.

100.   Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto upbraided China within hours of the first Chinese missile firings off Taiwan on Friday.