world

China reaffirms threat of military force to annex Taiwan

54 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

54 Comments
Login to comment

China wouldn't dare try to forcibly annex Taiwan if they had nukes... The US could easily remedy that... just pointing out an obvious solution that would stabilize the whole region and make everyone less afraid of war.

-3 ( +15 / -18 )

China doesn't consider it an annexation because Taiwan is part of the one China.

There's no stopping China from the unification of Taiwan.

No the USA isn't going to give Taiwan nukes.

That's ridiculous !

-18 ( +11 / -29 )

Just like i keep saying China will create a flotilla around Taiwan.

-17 ( +5 / -22 )

Beijing's strategy would include controlling the East and South China seas via the Taiwan Strait and imposing a blockade to prevent the U.S. and its allies from aiding Taiwan in the event of an attack

China should have settled its border issues with India, not rubbed off various South East Asian countries the wrong way and finally tried to woo Taiwan over with democratic values instead of showing the world their true colours by how they treated Hong Kong.

The idiot who came up with the above strategy forgot that if China’s untested military is tied up in Taiwan blockade where the Japanese and US navies will certainly counter them, they will also need to think of the scenario of US and Indian armies tying them up on the Himalayan borders.

And then there is the added possibility of navies from various countries jointly blocking the Indian Ocean shipping lanes where a lot of China’s oil comes from.

This is not a game of ‘Age of Empires’ which in any case whoever is coming up with such stupid ideas would not win.

12 ( +16 / -4 )

China reaffirms threat of military force to annex Taiwan

That threat has existed since 1949. The current brouhaha is just a predictable PR exercise following Pelosis publicity stunt. Realistically, nothing new. Although I would not rule out that Xi grabs the Kinmen islands (Quenoi).

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Kyo wa heiwa dayo ne

China doesn't consider it an annexation because Taiwan is part of the one China.

Well, most Taiwanese would not agree with that. But the US does, since Jimmy Carter transferred recognition of China to the CCP. Which makes the current posturing of the US regime look a bit strange.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

China wouldn't dare try to forcibly annex Taiwan if they had nukes... The US could easily remedy that... just pointing out an obvious solution that would stabilize the whole region and make everyone less afraid of war.

Interesting comment. I'm interested in what a Japanese would think. Many say no to nukes. So Taiwan is vulnerable. China invades Taiwan which is historically Chinese land and annexes it. That leaves Japan vulnerable.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

@thinkbefore,

Taiwan has nearly all of the world' s semi-conductor plants and a dynamic economy.

Japan has the world's fastest ageing population,no natural resources and a fast disappearing middle-class.

Don't think China would need to target Japan.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Better ask pelosi what to do

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

America legally has the Authority to defend Taiwan. And will do so.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

a little more provocation and some kind of small mistakes, Taiwan will be another Ukraine. Theres so many reason one side can make just to justify their actions and decisions. Like Russia for US's provocations while US countering it. This one will be the same concept, and another US involvement.

If this conflict turns to worst case scenario, which will be likely the outcome, you can expect that Russia will side with China on one common enemy. the US. Ukraine is the battleground. Taiwan will be another. there are no Taiwan vs China all along.

and if WW3 will will start to occur, Russia will attack Japan. and all of you knows the reason.

i hope Elon finish its spaceship to Mars soon. i wanna apply for volunteer lol

0 ( +3 / -3 )

If West Taiwan invades them they're gonna pay for every inch. The island is incredibly defensible, and they have one of the most technologically advanced militaries in the area...

All this saber rattling could be deflection from domestic problems. Their real estate asset bubble, their zero covid policy ...

2 ( +7 / -5 )

If West Taiwan invades them they're gonna pay for every inch. The island is incredibly defensible, and they have one of the most technologically advanced militaries in the area...

there are no "defensive island" in a rain of nukes

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Nothing but faux bluster and bravado, aimed entirely at the domestic audience...

CCP version of wag the dog....they probably begged Biden to let Pelosi visit so they could ramp up nationalism and distract before the upcoming party congress...

They sure don't want to talk about the millions still locked down for COVID or thrown out of their homes due to real estate bankruptcies...

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Have the US committed to the defence of Taiwan yet?

And the other countries?

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

You are speaking about Taiwan's military here? How did you ever come to that conclusion? Taiwan's military is undersized, has few live fire drills and hasn't fought a war since 1949 when it got chased off the Mainland.

and they have one of the most technologically advanced militaries in the area...

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Call it whatever you wish to call it, Unification, Invasion, Occupation, Siege or Blockade, China and Taiwan MUST find a solution to this crisis and move towards peace with mutual respect, the Chinese people deserve better and must demand nothing less Peace and Prosperity from their leaders.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

It’s even much easier. Have a look at the signing on the United Nations founding paper. In fact, the Republic of China, located on the island of Taiwan is the real and first China. So Taiwan could demand a reunification with the PRC , them coming peacefully back as the bigger mainland under the umbrella of the democratic China on the island of Taiwan, however it’s smaller in area and has less population now, so that is of course quite unrealistic. But again, it’s not at all Taiwan’s fault, that many countries changed side and promoted or followed the communist PRC, just only because of it’s size and therefore promising more economic growth , cheaper products or services and profits for them all. With dollars in the eyes they have all quickly forgotten which the real China is and are now loudly reminded.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Coronavirus wasn't enough China? The CCP is truly foul.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

“But we will not renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures.

More bluster from a 70 year old man for the consumption of the domestic audience.

China has failed miserably on Covid, the banking system is on the verge of a collapse, real estate has tanked and manufacturing is moving out of China.

All that a 70 year old feeble man can do is scream or in this case whine!!!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Taiwan was, is and will continue to be free.

China was never free, it will never be free until people overthrow the evil CCP.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Michael Machida

America legally has the Authority to defend Taiwan.

Which authority? Based on what law? Can you explain? Thanks. (You dont mean a self-bestowed authority as world policeman, I hope...)

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

the Chinese statement said Beijing would “work with the greatest sincerity and exert our utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification."

Comforting words, but complete lies. China is actively doing not a damn thing to encourage Taiwan to give up it's independence. China has not changed one iota and the CCP single party, Communist party rule is the main, and possibly the only thing stopping Taiwan from wanting to join with China. There is nothing the CCP is willing to change to encourage Taiwan. All China's hopes are that the people will one day wake and decide they want to join with China. Realistically there is zero percent chance of that happening, EVER.

China can do nothing but maintain the current status quo where Taiwan is independent without blatantly stating it, or it can invade and face a bloody war that could replicate Ukraine by being a long term affair rather than short and sharp. And it could face combat with a number of nations prepared to defend Taiwan independence. It would certainly face wide ranging sanctions, trade blockades and embargoes. China would have many of its resource imports turned off completely and energy supplies would also be severely reduced with only overland Russian supplies (which may be targeted inside China) getting through.

Many nations rely on trade with Taiwan and China stopping that for a war would turn many nations against it long term, including some that right now are on the fence.

If indeed China is prepared to go to war with half the world through trade war and a shooting war, then the price it would pay is higher than they realise and the end cost could be an end to communist party rule. The irony is that should the CCP be over thrown, Taiwan may lobby to become part of a free and democratic China after the war.

People have been pointing out the peaceful way to encourage Taiwan lies with ending CCP single party rule. Not necessarily an end to the CCP, but they must be prepared to win real elections where the people can vote for other parties and they may lose power until they win an election.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Many nations rely on trade with Taiwan

I thought many nations rely on trade with China thanks for the clarification

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

If China attacks Taiwan there will be a weapons resupply problem for the US. Unlike what is happening with Ukraine which has borders with a number of NATO countries through which it can be resupplied. Taiwan is an island thus very easy for China to blockade, therefore US has to fight through the blockade to resupply, therefore US has to go to war with China to defend Taiwan or let it fall

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

If China attacks Taiwan there will be a weapons resupply problem for the US. 

That's assuming the US will defend Taiwan militarily.

The US' one China policy doesn't support Taiwan independence, I often read, unlike their support for an independent Ukraine

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Also re Europe, indianexpress writes:

Philippe Le Corre, a French scholar of China and a senior fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School, wrote in the Ouest-France newspaper. “With Asia, the remoteness — reinforced by the absence of human contact and international travel for two years — does not favor a possible European involvement in a conflict in Taiwan or in the China Sea.”

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@Kyo

China doesn't consider it an annexation because Taiwan is part of the one China.

But they should, because it’s not.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Also re Europe, indianexpress writes:

Also regarding China in statenews

China is a paper tiger whose army will collapse at the first signs of a challenge. So despite its posturing China will never go to war because it doesn’t have the power to do so.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

That's assuming the US will defend Taiwan militarily.

The US' one China policy doesn't support Taiwan independence, I often read, unlike their support for an independent Ukraine

Don’t worry China is too weak to attack Taiwan. Xi will soon be gone and this will all go quiet!!!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

China doesn't consider it an annexation because Taiwan is part of the one China.

But they should, because it’s not.

How do you explain to yourself the US' one China policy?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Don’t worry China is too weak to attack Taiwan. Xi will soon be gone and this will all go quiet!!!

Not reassuring coming from a hysteric.

Calm down

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

ian

The US' one China policy doesn't support Taiwan independence

The US policy also doesn’t support unilateral changes of the status quo.

The TRA does say the US is legally responsible to "to maintain the capacity of the United States to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of the people on Taiwan."

With strong bipartisan support I would say the US would defend Taiwan if attacked.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

With strong bipartisan support I would say the US would defend Taiwan if attacked.

Have they said anything of the sort?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

All I see so far seem to be delusional wishful thinking.

I was waiting for even just a simple official statement something like "the US will defend Taiwan militarily if China attacks"

Maybe there's already one, ive no idea

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Ian,we the citizens decide,who we will defend,do not talk something you have no knowledge of like American willing to protect others

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I think the Chinese are butthurt by being ,played by Pelosi ,that why all this postering is happening

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Ian,we the citizens decide,who we will defend,do not talk something you have no knowledge of like American willing to protect others

You a US citizen?

So what do you think will be the decision of your govt?

Will they commit to armed conflict with China in defense of Taiwan?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

How about those from Europe?

Do you think your country will support a shooting war with China?

(Not necessarily directly, even just support like in Ukraine)

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

The media CNN Breaking News effect is beating the drums of war. It's good business. Don't be fooled. Things will shortly cool down. It's time for some confidence building measures among all the countries of East Asia.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Why is it that most posters are saying the US would defend Taiwan, it will not only be the US it would be all of those other countries that would be affected. All China is doing is barking and lobbing missiles but they will not attack they have too much to lose. This is nothing but saber rattling from Xi to position himself in power. China will do nothing they are trying to convince the world that Taiwan belongs to them. The one thing everyone here forgot was when the British return Hong Kong to China, the deal was that China would let Hong Kong rule themselves separately but China's greed and lies became different and this is the same thing that is happening in Taiwan. China will not attack Taiwan, if so that would spell the end of China. Their biggest ally Russia is of no help all Xi could look to for help is perhaps NK with old out dated equipment and the threat of Nukes, something China already has so NK is of no use. Iran the same. Looking at the other side the Western allies China is out gunned and out manned on the western world stage they would be destroyed. They have a untested military equipment that has not really been tested in battle but a very good fire works show! The sand dunes out in the south china see are nothing but targets and the military display they are putting on now is nothing but spectacular. I can bet the allies are analyzing all of what they are doing and making preparation for retaliation quickly in the even China does attack!! WHICH THEY will not!!! Bark on China!!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

American will defend Taiwan for the access to semi-conductors.

China, if they do invade will see an even larger pull-out of companies and foreign investment money due to a perceived lack of instability and irrational behavior, also, more sanctions against China. It sounds like China is internally not doing great economically and socially. Also facing a large demographic collapse, which is in progress.

They might try it, but ultimately I think they're too smart to commit suicide over an island. Let's see how they go.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Ian,the US has no legal obligation to give any countries military aid ,our constitution say only to defend against all foreign and domestic enemies,war has not been declared on China, Taiwan can handle it own,not like Ukrainain

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

China wants Taiwan's chip manufacturing. Taiwan makes something like 60% of the chips used in the world. It is greed with a little light "family reunification", but mostly greed.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

“We still support the ‘one China’ policy, we go there to acknowledge the status quo is what our policy is, there is nothing disruptive about that. It was only about saying, China is one of the freest societies in the world, don’t take it from me, that’s from Freedom House, it’s a strong democracy, courageous people,” said Pelosi.

She meant Taiwan but now sanctioned, she is saying we support the One China policy.

Nancy escalated things. What she really damaged was China-US relations. Now all sorts of bilateral agreements are off the table, from joint military drills, to extradition and illegal alien repatriation, to climate change.

Nancy’s husband and son are probably fuming right now because Hong Kong has agreed to sanction her and her family, including their assets.

And commentators here are saying China made Pelosi do it and it’s all a part of a plan. Not really.

Pelosi gave China an excuse to carry out military drills, cross the center median line, approach up to 12 nautical miles from Taiwan’s coast, shoot missiles over Taipei and into Japan’s waters and so on. This was a mistake and the undesirable consequences of Pelosi’s visit.

The PLA has announced the end of the drills. Looks like war has been averted.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The concluding summary to all this debate is that we can honestly say that the CCP are a truly nasty bunch that the rest of the world could really do without. A horrible intimidating and aggressive government. I hope the world is watching and learning.

It's bad enough watching Putin's psycho play on Ukraine. You would have thought the rest of the world would learn from that madman. But no, the CCP are quite happy to be on his pathetic level.

Anyone who continues to do business with China only have themselves to blame for their take on world domination.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

WilliB

Well, most Taiwanese would not agree with that. But the US does, since Jimmy Carter transferred recognition of China to the CCP. Which makes the current posturing of the US regime look a bit strange.

Wrong president. It was Nixon who unequivocally agreed that "Taiwan is a part of China".

2 ( +2 / -0 )

2020hindsights

*"In one of the most dramatic announcements of the Cold War, President Jimmy Carter states that as of January 1, 1979, the United States will formally recognize the communist People’s Republic of China (PRC) and sever relations with Taiwan."*

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/united-states-announces-that-it-will-recognize-communist-china

Is it so hard to do some minimal checking before writing opinions in the readers section???

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Furious at a visit to Taipei last week by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, China had extended its largest-ever exercises around the self-ruled island it claims as its own beyond the four days originally scheduled.

Last week’s drills included launches of ballistic missiles, some of which flew over the island’s capital of Taipei, and simulated sea and air attacks in surrounding skies and waters.

https://worldabcnews.com/china-says-it-has-completed-various-tasks-surrounding-taiwan/

1 ( +1 / -0 )

China reaffirms threat of military force to annex Taiwan

Who knows how able China is to fight a full scale war., But maybe China's partner Russia could release more criminals from prison to help their pals in the fight, and perhaps Kim could throw in North Korean troops and nukes, and Iran could lend China drones and troops too, so the new Russia-China led BRICS imperium, and the totalitarian supporter's dream world, could come true. And when it's all over besides cockroaches, rats and some viruses which other forms of life might be found.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The CCP has continually argued that it is much more than that. The CCP sees the reabsorption of Taiwan as the conclusion to the "century of humiliation" when China was carved up by foreign powers including Taiwan which was forcibly acquired by Japan following the Sino-Japanese War of 1895.

China wants Taiwan's chip manufacturing. Taiwan makes something like 60% of the chips used in the world. It is greed with a little light "family reunification", but mostly greed.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Ian,we the citizens decide,who we will defend,…

Actually, no.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

WilliB

"In one of the most dramatic announcements of the Cold War, **President Jimmy Carter** states that as of January 1, 1979, the United States will formally recognize the communist People’s Republic of China (PRC) and sever relations with Taiwan."

I guess you can say, Carter consumated Nixon's policy officially. It was Nixon's policy, not Carter's, but he actioned it.

Is it so hard to admit where the policy came from with regards to China and Taiwan? I guess so.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites