China Warns of 'worst consequences' for any country that supports Taiwan militarily. (1 Viewer)

[Hypothetical]

https://www.foxnews.com/world/china-worst-consequences-taiwan-military-support-warning

ok so here we go.

so what do we do? that decision needs to be made right now (if it hasn't already) by our leadership as to what they will do if China invades Taiwan.

is Taiwan important enough strategically to warrant a response from us? what do you think?

I believe they are, at least enough to put ships patrolling nearby and supply Taiwan as a first response to any aggression. After that we would have to see.

a bit older but interesting:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-10-07/here-s-what-could-happen-if-china-invaded-taiwan

 

[Schism]

Joe Mumbles has already said, "No way, that's called WW3, man!"

 

[maxparrish]

https://www.foxnews.com/world/china-worst-consequences-taiwan-military-support-warning

ok so here we go.

so what do we do? that decision needs to be made right now (if it hasn't already) by our leadership as to what they will do if China invades Taiwan.

is Taiwan important enough strategically to warrant a response from us? what do you think?

I believe they are, at least enough to put ships patrolling nearby and supply Taiwan as a first response to any aggression. After that we would have to see.

a bit older but interesting:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-10-07/here-s-what-could-happen-if-china-invaded-taiwan

Given Tiawan's importance (produces 1/3rd of the worlds microprocessors) yes, Tiawan is worth defending. However, if sufficiently stocked with military arms and supplies, I believe Tiawan is impregnable.

I spent 6 weeks in Tiawan several decades ago...amazing mtns dominate most of the island. Only a few possible landing spots. Saturate the island with shore to ship missiles, AA batteries, MPADS, and plenty of submarines and I doubt a single Chinese landing craft could make it to the island.

 

[jaypatriot]

Given Tiawan's importance (produces 1/3rd of the worlds microprocessors) yes, Tiawan is worth defending. However, if sufficiently stocked with military arms and supplies, I believe Tiawan is impregnable.

I spent 6 weeks in Tiawan several decades ago...amazing mtns dominate most of the island. Only a few possible landing spots. Saturate the island with shore to ship missiles, AA batteries, MPADS, and plenty of submarines and I doubt a single Chinese landing craft could make it to the island.

I was also there several decades ago when I was stationed there.
The Taiwanese are a strong independent people.
Who knows they will act if invaded. I wonder how many of them want to be part of the mainland.

Regarding that massive chip company, I would be amazed if they have not already
planted enough explosives in, under, and around that site to make sure no ever used that campus again if it was about to be taken over by the ChiCom army.

 

[maxparrish]

I was also there several decades ago when I was stationed there.
The Taiwanese are a strong independent people.
Who knows they will act if invaded. I wonder how many of them want to be part of the mainland.

Regarding that massive chip company, I would be amazed if they have not already
planted enough explosives in, under, and around that site to make sure no ever used that campus again if it was about to be taken over by the ChiCom army.

Your instincts are correct, I have read that is exactly what they have done. They won't turn over their technology industry if they think they will lose the island...they will demolish it in front of the ChiCom eyes.

PS - I was there in the summer of 1971, part of a program for US students (paid by the Taiwanese Govt) to immerse ourselves in Chinese studies, and learn their views of Communist China. Loved it. Cheap beyond belief (25 cents for a taxi anywhere in Taipei). Nice people...toured the island, figured out early on these people were going to develop rapidly. Our 'dorms' were near a US base...took a walk down a rice paddy trail and came to the entrance. Talked our way in, did some clubbing at NCO club.

Who knows, might have been where you were stationed in Taipei.

 

[Cardinal]

I understand that Taiwan’s terrain is not ideal for an invading force, but the military advantage China enjoys just in terms of sheer numbers is bleak.

China vs Taiwan | Comparison military strength

Chinese and Taiwan armed forces comparison. Here you can graphically compare chosen parameters

armedforces.eu

 

[Median Voter]

Given Tiawan's importance (produces 1/3rd of the worlds microprocessors) yes, Tiawan is worth defending. However, if sufficiently stocked with military arms and supplies, I believe Tiawan is impregnable.

I spent 6 weeks in Tiawan several decades ago...amazing mtns dominate most of the island. Only a few possible landing spots. Saturate the island with shore to ship missiles, AA batteries, MPADS, and plenty of submarines and I doubt a single Chinese landing craft could make it to the island.

If the US was planning to send Taiwan that much weaponry, China would invade.

 

[maxparrish]

If the US was planning to send Taiwan that much weaponry, China would invade.

Not if they aren't ready. And at the moment, they are not. Unfortunitly, by the time Biden is gone (end of first term) things may be different.

 

[Median Voter]

Not if they aren't ready. And at the moment, they are not.

But they are ready to blockade or more likely quarantine Taiwan and prevent military aid from arriving.

 

[Cordelier]

If it happened and the Administration wanted to intervene, it'd still need Congressional approval. I can't see the votes being there.

 

[uptower]

US admins come and go; China is playing the long game. It’s unlikely to risk a costly invasion - more likely try to blockade them into making concessions. When? Could be five years or ten or twenty. Long game.

 

[maxparrish]

I understand that Taiwan’s terrain is not ideal for an invading force, but the military advantage China enjoys just in terms of sheer numbers is bleak.

China vs Taiwan | Comparison military strength

Chinese and Taiwan armed forces comparison. Here you can graphically compare chosen parameters

armedforces.eu

Remember, the English channel is 20 to 30 miles wide and still presented a formidable obstacle to Nazi Germany. Tiawan is 90 to 100 miles from the mainland.

No matter how large China's army is, they only have so many amphibious assault ships. If 1/2 of those are sunk on one trip, it won't be long before fetching more soldiers becomes impossible. I imagine that such an operation would be larger than Operation Downfall's planned invasion of Kyushu, one that anticipated up to 250,000 causalities for allied forces.

The first and most important line of defense is the ocean. If extremely well hidden and/or fortified bunkers house a few thousand shore to ship missiles, most would likely survive initial Chinese airstrikes and cruise missiles...and would seriously damage any invasion fleet. Once ashore, like Normandy, they will have to have a way to maintain a safe fuel supply and take an intact port. If they can't, the invasion forces wither.

Frankly, a very well prepared and lavishly armed island likely survives a mainland assault. Of more worry is a blockade beyond the range of shore to ship missiles.

 

[Sled Dog]

But they are ready to blockade or more likely quarantine Taiwan and prevent military aid from arriving.

Interfering with US flagged vessels engaged in peaceful commerce would be a valid cause for military action, and even with the infestation of the US military with male admirals pretending to be female, the US Navy is still the world's premiere military force China has a few hundred miles of ocean to cross and if the senile fool unlawfully placed at the top of the command chain were to give the order (he wouldn't because he's in the pay of the ChiComms) the Chinese wouldn't be able to get troops to the independent nation to invade.

Those other socialists, the ones in Germany, had a similar problem when facing a mere 30 miles or so of English Channel defended by a determined population.

 

[highroller]

We should ban imports fro China and remove them from the WTO

 

[highroller]

Those other socialists, the ones in Germany,

Those were fascists.

Purposely reimagining history is not a good look

 

[bongsaway]

Is there a difference between russia invading ukraine and china invading taiwan as far as the u.s. is concerned? Taiwan is not a nato member.

 

[NuffSaid]

Is there a difference between russia invading ukraine and china invading taiwan as far as the u.s. is concerned? Taiwan is not a nato member.

There isn’t, but Republicans hope an invasion happens so they can blame Joe Biden.

 

[Sled Dog]

If it happened and the Administration wanted to intervene, it'd still need Congressional approval. I can't see the votes being there.

Well, Hunter's friends wouldn't allow the Democrats to vote to oppose China, true, but then again there was a Democrat president who waged a completely illegal war in the North Atlantic against Germany for well over a year.

Those were fascists.

Purposely reimagining history is not a good look

Fascism is a form of socialism. Not learning history is a worse look.

 

[Sled Dog]

Is there a difference between russia invading ukraine and china invading taiwan as far as the u.s. is concerned? Taiwan is not a nato member.

Yes, and it's simple to understand.

Taiwan is an important US trading partner.

Ukraine paid Biden cash for corruption.

 

[Hypothetical]

US admins come and go; China is playing the long game. It’s unlikely to risk a costly invasion - more likely try to blockade them into making concessions. When? Could be five years or ten or twenty. Long game.

then why do they make such warnings? the long game would be aided if they could keep their intentions out of the public view.

 

[Hypothetical]

Is there a difference between russia invading ukraine and china invading taiwan as far as the u.s. is concerned? Taiwan is not a nato member.

yes, Taiwan is responsible for 1/3 of the worlds important microprocessors. its a strategic asset in geopolitics.

if you don't understand how that is different then you do not understand geopolitics and the way our leaders think at all.

 

[bongsaway]

Yes, and it's simple to understand.

Taiwan is an important US trading partner.

Ukraine paid Biden cash for corruption.

Thanks for the response. I'll file future responses in the appropriate round file.

 

[bongsaway]

yes, Taiwan is responsible for 1/3 of the worlds important microprocessors. its a strategic asset in geopolitics.

if you don't understand how that is different then you do not understand geopolitics and the way our leaders think at all.

So why did our republican representatives vote against an investment to make them right here in the good old u.s. of a. a month or so ago?

 

[Hypothetical]

So why did our republican representatives vote against an investment to make them right here in the good old u.s. of a. a month or so ago?

I don't know. do you have a citation to that info?

 

[Median Voter]

Interfering with US flagged vessels engaged in peaceful commerce would be a valid cause for military action, and even with the infestation of the US military with male admirals pretending to be female, the US Navy is still the world's premiere military force China has a few hundred miles of ocean to cross and if the senile fool unlawfully placed at the top of the command chain were to give the order (he wouldn't because he's in the pay of the ChiComms) the Chinese wouldn't be able to get troops to the independent nation to invade.

Those other socialists, the ones in Germany, had a similar problem when facing a mere 30 miles or so of English Channel defended by a determined population.

The US wouldn't declare war though, more likely just place more (useless) sanctions.