It's time to 'get tough on Taiwan'

SYDNEY: Beijing has to send tougher warnings to the Taiwan authorities as the situation across the Taiwan Straits has entered a "highly dangerous period", President Hu Jintao told his US counterpart George W. Bush yesterday.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the annual economic leaders' meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Australia.

"This year and next year are going to be a highly dangerous period for the situation in the Taiwan Straits," Hu said.