You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
China-Japan-Koreas
Chinese military beefs up coastal forces as it prepares for possible invasion of Taiwan
2020-10-19
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
Posted by:Fred

#12  If China attacks Taiwan, Taiwan should destroy the Three Gorges Dam.
Posted by: Kofi Cleremble2192   2020-10-19 20:36  

#11  "I've never understood this constant drum banging. Any invasion of Taiwan just... wouldn't be worth it."

As w/HKSAR, the CCP is playing to its 1.4 billion internal audience. The long range plan is to either assimilate (or replace) the current populations of TWN and HK..one way or another. In HK they've done through a slow (150/day) migration from the PRC over the course of the last 23 years. I suspect the TWN approach will be a bit more dynamic and shorter in length.
Posted by: Bangkok Billy   2020-10-19 20:09  

#10  Why assume they're rational?
Posted by: Spike Gray1879   2020-10-19 16:13  

#9  I've never understood this constant drum banging.

The CCP always goes into overdrive when Taiwan gives hints of abandoning the One China idea. Or when they are having issues domestically. Gives the people something to rally behind the CCP.

Both of these are happening now, along with the trade war with the US and the lack of dollar access for the CCP.

I don't think they will try to invade as right now it is a not even 50-50 shot at success. Maybe in 2024 with more sea lift ships built and a China friendly US administration. But I still think China won't really risk it unless they stand to lose significant face with Taiwan going full independent or an imminent collapse of their political power internally. Just isn't worth the risk. Although the CCP may be on very shaky ground right now and if Trump wins again, the April window where the weather is better in the channel may be go time. October is better if the CCP can hang on that long.
Posted by: DarthVader   2020-10-19 15:57  

#8  I've never understood this constant drum banging. Any invasion of Taiwan just... wouldn't be worth it. You would have to destroy everything that makes Taiwan worth invading (the people, the cities, the infrastructure). I don't doubt that the Chinese are stupid enough to do that, but it just defies all sense. This is exactly what they did through 2019 in Hong Kong as well.
Posted by: Vernal Hatrick   2020-10-19 15:15  

#7  If you have to feed somebody BB, it might as well be the 'fishes'.
Posted by: Mullah Richard   2020-10-19 11:54  

#6  I was talking with a ....colleague about this recently. He remarked that Taiwan specifically does not have plan for PLA POWs. Well they have A plan, just not one that involves taking prisoners....

There is just no way for the PRC to achieve tactical surprise on this. Sure they can light up Taiwan with missiles/rockets and degrade ROC C4I but eventually they have to put boots on the ground.
Posted by: Bangkok Billy   2020-10-19 11:27  

#5  Thanks for these insights DV.
Posted by: Besoeker   2020-10-19 09:16  

#4  An invasion of Taiwan would require a D-Day level of effort. Taiwan is about as far from China as Normandy is from England, around 100 miles. Nasty channel to go through. Requires massive logistical support. Massive amount of sea lift capability (which China currently lacks).

In order for the invasion to have even a shot of working, not only will China need air superiority over the island (where the air forces are roughly parity when factoring in Taiwanese SAMs and MANPADs and modern western jets), but they will have to get almost 2.5 million men landed within 30 days before typhoon season hits. They simply don't have the capability to do so currently.
Posted by: DarthVader   2020-10-19 09:11  

#3  
Posted by: Jiling Gravitch9209   2020-10-19 07:46  

#2  I worry about Election Day for China's attack on Taiwan and maybe Guam
Posted by: 3dc   2020-10-19 01:17  

#1  Course, a couple of Littoral Destroyers traversing the strait would disrupt pretty much all of that.
Posted by: Skidmark   2020-10-19 00:51  

00:00