The Chinese leader's message in San Francisco got the attention of U.S. officials because it was delivered at a meeting that was intended to reduce tensions.
China actually can challenge US in the Pacific theatre.
Besides, it’s a matter of how far each side is ready to go. Taiwan is important for the US, but vital for China. US will back down abd avoid escalation sooner.
Also, when you have nuclear states on each side, situation always gets very precarious.
How is Taiwan crucial for China? Locality? There’s nothing there of value aside from subjugation and a raw land grab.
The terrain makes it fairly defensible on the west coast. The economy would tank. Businesses of real value would implode.
The people don’t want to be “reunified” and will not tow the line so easily. China has never had to endure longterm modern asymmetrical warfare.
I just don’t see how it would benefit them vs the cost in the short and near term. If they could pull it off over 50 years then maybe but I don’t think it would play out that way.
China actually can challenge US in the Pacific theatre.
Besides, it’s a matter of how far each side is ready to go. Taiwan is important for the US, but vital for China. US will back down abd avoid escalation sooner.
Also, when you have nuclear states on each side, situation always gets very precarious.
So do not underestimate the leg China has here.
That’s some dangerous speculation for a country that spent 20 years fighting terrorists in the Middle East whose main demand was, “Yankees go home.”
How is Taiwan crucial for China? Locality? There’s nothing there of value aside from subjugation and a raw land grab.
The terrain makes it fairly defensible on the west coast. The economy would tank. Businesses of real value would implode.
The people don’t want to be “reunified” and will not tow the line so easily. China has never had to endure longterm modern asymmetrical warfare.
I just don’t see how it would benefit them vs the cost in the short and near term. If they could pull it off over 50 years then maybe but I don’t think it would play out that way.