China Rules Out A-Bombs Against Taiwan.

• Position: China says it will not use nuclear weapons against Taiwan, but it renews its pledge to 'unify' the two countries - Brief Article

BEIJING, Sept. 2--While Chinese leaders repeated their resolve to reunite, Taiwan to the mainland, by force if necessary, they promised not to use, nuclear weapons in the attempt.

The pledge suggested a slight easing of tensions between China and Taiwan, an island off China's coast, where Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists took refuge after their defeat by the Communists in 1949. China has often threatened to use force to retake Taiwan.

The latest episode began when Taiwan's President Lee Tenghui said in July that China and Taiwan should deal with each other on a "state-to-state basis."

China reacted angrily, saying that Taiwan was making a move toward independence. Although...