Reply #9: Perhaps.

[TreasonousBastard]

Used to hear a lot from anyone at all interested in the Far East about China invading Taiwan. They consider it a province and don't recognize it as an independant country.

It's not really a question of if they will push the claim, but when. They have a habit of pushing things to see just how far they can get, and have already rattled sabers toward Taiwan just to see what the world reaction is.

I suspect that their plans for Taiwan are on hold for the time being because they are watching how North Korea unfolds, are still digesting Hong Kong, and have trade issues pending with their biggest export markets. US belligerance and the impossibility of their foretelling just how we will react probably gives them pause, too. I doubt they are actually afraid of us, but the instability of a new Asian war and the disruption of their exports would trouble them.

Even without our forces being stretched thin, a Chinese invasion is unthinkable. A land area larger than the US, a population of 2 billion... I doubt we'd be able to even adequately assist in defending a Taiwan invasion, much less neutralize China. China could walk right in, and the best we could do would be drop a few bombs and complain a lot.

They do have patience, lots of patience, and when the time is right, I have no doubt they will strike.