DF-15 launch
China's military test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile last
weekend as part of its growing missile buildup. The DF-15 missile was
launched from a military facility near Shuangchenzi, in the remote northern
Gansu province. It was tracked by U.S. intelligence to an impact area in
northwestern Xinjiang province. A Pentagon report made public last month
(at http://www.defenselink.mil) stated that China is developing a
medium-range missile that will give Beijing the capability of attacking the
25,000 U.S. troops on Okinawa. The new medium-range missiles also could hit
Taiwan from areas farther from the coast. The medium-range missile buildup
undermines an offer made to President Bush last year by Chinese President
Jiang Zemen that China is willing to negotiate the withdrawal of the 450
short-range missiles now aimed at Taiwan. China test-fired a new CSS-7 last
month, also around the Shuangchenzi testing facility, which is near the Gobi
Desert.
from http://www.washtimes.com/national/inring.htm