China is prepared to use nuclear weapons against the US if it is attacked by Washington during a confrontation over Taiwan, a Chinese general said on Thursday.

“If the Americans draw their missiles and position-guided ammunition on to the target zone on China's territory, I think we will have to respond with nuclear weapons,” said General Zhu Chenghu.

Well, that is certainly disturbing. Does "draw their * and * on to the target zone" mean if we put weapons systems in striking range and on alert, they would attack us with nukes? "Hawk" may not go far enough to describe this guy..

The Bush Administration will likely just sit and watch if China makes a move on Taiwan.

FT.com / World / Asia-Pacific - Top Chinese general warns US over attack