Taiwan tells China to piss off...

[POTUS]

Originally posted by PLATO
Obviously a mixed message and probably by design...on one hand we tell PRC that we support one China and on the other we show Taiwan that we will be there.

You didn't realize that the "One China" they are supporting is the ROC.

[mindseye]

Originally posted by Ned
With sufficient air power, China could force a successful landing even with minimal amphibious capability.

Extremely doubtful. The PLA Navy has very few amphibious landing craft, only enough to transport, IIRC, about 10,000 soldiers.

Such a small force could be thrown back by even a small fraction of the Taiwanese military.

On the other hand, the PLAN might be able to inflict serious economic damage on Taiwan by disrupting its sea trade using submarines and aircraft - success contingent on US involvement, of course.

[PLATO]

Originally posted by POTUS


You didn't realize that the "One China" they are supporting is the ROC.

Again, this is part of the "mixed message philosophy. We state that we support one China, but don't say who is the benefactor of that support. The PRC thinks its them and the ROC thinks its them. We do nothing to clear it up and therefore support ambiguity...which keeps our options open. The problem is that this creates a pre-Gulf War type syndrome where actions could be taken based on faulty interpretation of what we say. If we truly support ROC (as I think we do...and hope we do), then we should remove the ambiguity and state openly that we will defend them.

[:) Smiley]

The US should just find some oil and invade both.

[PLATO]

Originally posted by Smiley
The US should just find some oil and invade both.

PRC has oil.

World Tibet Network News
Saturday, November 12, 1994


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. China's New Oil Fields Hold Potential

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEIJING, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- China said Friday the rich gas and oil
fields in its inhospitable northwest hold massive potential and
have brought fresh hopes of development to its isolated regions.

"Northwest China, known for its large territory and rich
resources, is now actively pursuing oil and natural gas exploration
in a bid to achieve economic advancement," the official Xinhua news
agency said.

The barren region, which makes up one third of China, lags
seriously behind the affluent east coast and is home for well over
half of China's 80 million people who live below the poverty line.

But China hopes three massive oil and natural gas finds in the
provinces of Shaanxi, Qinghai, Gansu Ningxia Hui and Xinjiang will
supply China's power-hungry industry and pull the area out of
poverty.

The Xinjiang frontier, with its 30 billion tons of proven
resources is the greatest hope for development.

Its three oil-rich basins -- Tarim, Junggar and Turpan-Hami --
have 75 large industrial oil-bearing strata and 34 oil and gas
fields have already been discovered.

Exploration in the Tarim, the biggest basin of all with 20.5
billion tons of proven reserves, has already begun. U.S-based Esso,
Italian AGIP and British Petroleum are all drilling for oil
alongside a number of Chinese outfits.

Some 3.23 million tons of crude oil were extracted from the
Tarim last year and the central government plans to invest $1.2
billion in further exploration this year, the news agency said.

Slightly further south, a large gas field on the borders of
Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia Hui is also causing excitement.

The Shaanganning Basin is expected to have gas reserves of 173
billion cubic meters, about 15 percent of China's total. Nearly 200
wells have already been drilled into the gas pocket, which is
expected to yield 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas a year.

The third oil-rich region lies in the Qaidam Basin in Qinghai
Province. It has an annual production of 1 million tons and will
greatly ease oil shortages in Qinghai and Tibet, the news agency
said.

[:) Smiley]

They also have weapons of mass destruction, including an active nuclear weapons and missile program.

[DaShi]

Then the US won't attack. They'll ask China to intervine. Oh, wait.

[Q Classic]

wouldn't it be funny if china developed sentinels, and taiwan built those really dorky looking mechs?

[:) Smiley]

well of course, most everything's got a Made in China or a Made in Taiwan stamped on it, why not so in the future?

[My Wife Hates CIV]

You're all wrong. MWHC will set the record right.

First, China is not going to attack anyone. And never some island that has the fire power Taiwan has. I'm not saying Taiwan could win... but, Taiwan would be no push over for China. China would end up with a black eye and busted lip - at least! And this is without US help. Of course we all know the outcome if the US is in the fight. Taiwan/US vs China/anyone else nuts enough - over in 4 days. At least 4 days until China rolls over and gives up.

For those who disagree with this part - who has china pounded on in the last 50 years??? Can china even produce a pounding?? Can China maintain a war front?? Can China even defend itself??

But really, China can't attack Taiwan anymore than the US could attack China. We're too linked up together in terms of manufacturing, banking and trade - even more so for China than the US. Talk is cheap - war costs money - and a war between the US and China would cost just too many dollars... and Taiwan is not worth it - for either side. Taiwan will go it's own way... it already has.

[Alinestra Covelia]

You all lack vision. I think the only way to go is for China to develop Death Knights and Necromancers.

[Alinestra Covelia]

Originally posted by Q Cubed
so will we see a taiwanese girl blowing herself up in the forbidden city?

Don't give my cousins ideas. They're disruptive enough as it is without bringing politics into it...

[Ned]

The ChiComs may rely on the trade issue to deflect a US suspension of trade in the event of an invasion. This is a two-way street.

[POTUS]

The Chinese will not invade. Based on the projections almost the entire world uses for amphibious assualts (based on Normandy), China would easily be defeated. China seems to realize this. Forcing Taiwan to divest itself of Chinese assests would help Taiwan to become more developed. China is not the only country with sweat shops, either.

[:) Smiley]

Fez, we need one, um, very large helicopter.