21.   One likely mission, according to US and Chinese analysts, was collecting information on a buildup of Chinese missiles and ballistic missile submarines aimed at Taiwan.

22.   Recent Chinese missile tests near Taiwan were an example of muscle-flexing that could get carried too far.

23.   Second, while we may not like Chinese missiles pointing at our cities, the current nuclear balance between the United States and China is nevertheless strategically stable.

24.   Senior American officials say they are concerned but insist that Chinese missile proliferation has not yet reached the extent that would prompt sanctions against Beijing.

25.   Taiwan military officials yesterday played down the danger that the Chinese missiles might accidently miss the target zones.

26.   Taiwan seeks the Aegis system to counter Chinese missiles aimed at the island from the mainland.

27.   The Chinese missile system is built largely for retaliation.

28.   The Chinese missile firings last March and threatening action against Taiwan certainly raised those issues.

29.   The Chinese are particularly upset about theater missile defense because it would give the United States the ability to detect and destroy Chinese missiles as they were launched.

30.   The crescendo of criticism and a series of congressional hearings on Chinese missiles and money put Clinton in a quandary.