Taiwan is developing a bomb designed to wipe out China's electrical system, according to the United Daily News. The newspaper claims that Taiwan – still dubbed a "renegade Province" by China – is working on a graphite bomb similar to one the U.S. reportedly used against Serbia in 1999. According to wire articles about the original report:

* Should war break out, the so-called "blackout bombs" would be carried by Hsiungfeng 2E cruise missiles to paralyze the power systems of China's southeastern coastal cities, the United Daily News said. *

*The bombs work by sprinkling a cloud of chemically treated carbon fibers over power supplies, causing them to short-circuit, but without killing people. *

*If approved by parliament, the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology - Taiwan's top arms research unit - would begin research and development of the weaponry at a cost of up to NT$500 million (US$15.34 million), beginning next year, according to the report. *

*Taiwan's defense ministry declined to comment on the claims. *