Taiwan nixes China military confidence measures

TAIPEI (AP) - Taiwan is not ready to discuss military confidence building measures with China, the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday, four years after leaders of the sides floated the idea when unveiling separate peace initiatives.

Releasing his ministry's quadrennial defence review, Deputy Defence Minister Andrew Yang said Beijing and Taipei need to build more political trust before they can start discussing military issues.

"We have been through a period of peaceful development," he said. "During this process, we need to gather more building blocks so we can accumulate enough mutual trust to pave the way for things that both of our peoples can accept."

Mr Yang's comments reflect the cautious approach of President Ma Ying-jeou to relations with China. While engaging the mainland economically, Mr Ma has so far been unwilling to move into other spheres.