Do you think the U.S. will engage if China invades Taiwan?
461538
I think the bigger question is will China go to war with Taiwan; Will China Invade Taiwan. In this modern age, it is highly unlikely that the situation will arise given the vast information that can spread in a heartbeat around the world about an action. The US and USSR were in a cold war for decades without committing a first strike, and the result ended peacably. The Republic of China and the Peoples Republic have been at a similar standoff for a similar number of years, and no action will happen that would mar China's building honor in the world spotlight. At most, the mainland will keep rattling its saber to keep the island on its toes, but nothing damaging will happen.\n\nAnd lets try and keep the slanderous remarks down to a minimal ok?
26896
War is never imminent - it is decided by countries and politicans when it suits their needs. \n\nHistorically, China has seldom sought to expand past its borders even when it had the means to do so (during Marco Polo's visit, the Chinese navy was larger than the combined navies of Europe!). \n\nThe Chinese prefer to conquer through economics and bribery. Throughout history, it has sought to open up trade and accept vassals (by giving gifts) instead of outright occupation. In any event, I believe that the Chinese are very pragmatic people - and the long and short of it are that they wish to be left alone to make money. \n\nHowever, there are 2 things that may put the US and China on a collision course:\n\n1)  The touchy subject of Taiwan. View it this way: During the US civil war, if the Southern army instead of surrendering to the North had instead escaped to Hawaii and then built up a different country there, would the US now use all means to recapture the territory? If Hawaii then had the backing of the former Russia, would it change anything? If Hawaii then declared independence, would the US allow this to take place without taking any action at all? My view is that if this situation is treated sensibly, and a face saving structure is put in place, this can be sorted out without any resort to war. \n\n2) The question of Japan and its war time role in Asia, for which it has never apologised (read about the Nanjing massacre - in which the Japanese had killed anywhere up to 600,000 Chinese civilians in a few weeks).\n\nAgain, think of it this way: If the Germans after WWII had not apologised for the holocaust, and its prime minister today still visits the grave of those who perpetuated the extermination of the jews (the tomb of the unknown soldier in japan contains the grave of japanese war criminals), their school books still claim that Germany was not the aggressor in WWII, forced Jewish women into sexual slavery, tested chemical weapons on civilians (BTW, the pepetrators were never convicted in exchange for giving their research to the US military) denies the Holocaust took place, and at the same time, Germany wanted a permanent seat on the United Nations, would the jewish people agree?\n\nChina has been stepped on by many countries in the past (see opium wars, the japanese invasion during WWII, the foreign zones in Shanghai shared by the western powers etc)\nand now has the economic power and military might to stand up for itself. \n\nTo solve all the historical baggage without incident, we have to be sensitive to all that has happpened in the past so that it is not repeated. If we make intelligent policies taking into account all the historical factors, no one has to go to war.
881452
Well that depends on two scenarios.\n\nFirst is no invasion of either countries mainland. In that case, America would absolutely win due to the fact that they have more nuclear and ICBM missiles and they are technologically superior. America would suffer a lot of damage but then again, China would probably be destroyed.\n\nThe second scenario is an invasion of one mainland. then you have to look at the fact that the Chinese do have the largest army in the world though not as superior as the US Army. The US navy and Air Force would definitely triumph over any the Chinese could throw at them ( I mean the USA does have 10-12 Aircraft carriers). The Army and Marines are a different question as it would be a contest of quality vs. quantity.\n\nIn both scenarios, I believe that the USA would win though with extrememly heavy casualties. It has the foremost economy of the world and the most technologically advanced, a very skilled workforce, good communication networks and freedom of information.\n\nIt does depend largely on who declares war first because if the USA did, then no one American or anyone else would support it except Japan but if China declared war, then that would just motivate the Americans even more.
122507
I think you are trying to ask if the US should let the Chinese influence US politics.  If that is what you are asking, then the answer is yes; no one should be involved in US politics except Americans.
1142993
soon, it definitely depends on Iran - if Iran does not comply and keeps going for nuclear weapons, we will be invading Iran for sure.  \n\nNear-term Iran, However I think China down the road may be WWIII if there ever is one.
222254
Mr. Acer, \nAs a resident in Mainland, I'd like to clarify for some "popular" views hereof.\n1. Almost all Mainland Chinese care about Taiwan problem.\n  Because it will be a great humiliation to China if Taiwan declare its indenpendence. you will have to confess, most "Taiwanese" came from Mainland China hundreds of  years or decades years ago. whether the Ming dynasty, the Qing dyansty, or the ROC who ruled Taiwan, they are all of "China". Taiwan is apart of China.\n2. As a critic military strongpoint if Taiwan splits it will be a great convenience for other foreign force to deploy missles, bombers and troops for attacking the mainland,as calld "a never sinked aircraft-carrier". That's why the USA is so pleased to back up Taiwan. And they are so skillful at alienating a country and back up an opposite side to achieve their goal- weaken and control a country, and get benefit from it.\n3. Do not label the PRC with "communist country" and think it wholely a evil. It's a cold-war ideology.\nAs you know that in the past China suffered poverty from the political movements and Taiwan benefited from the enormous American economy. But now with the opening-up started by Deng Xiaoping the PRC are advocating for great economy growth.(Ironically nowadays the Taiwan is hot for political campaigns:( ). A Taiwan manager told me that the current mainland economy is soaring just as Taiwan did in 70s. Many defects may you find, but dont lose confidence.\n3. Taiwan is now a mature, democratic country, so dont want to under control of a arbitrary gov. Please note that PRC never wants to destroy the current prosperty of Taiwan. On the contrary, Beijing is doing a lot to maitain the economical growth of Taiwan. It's the politicians who are scaring the mass as describing the "Communist China" as a devil who wants to ruine Taiwan as a "election words".\nWhat the PRC want is that Taiwan dont not declare its independence and not act as a jackal for other foreign countries. You Taiwanese can gov yourself in the name of China.
828343
unfortunately not.  Too many people in India compared to US.  Unless India attacks america and occupy its land...they stands no chance.  There are very few countries in the world that did invade other coutries and occupied land.  India and China are two such countries.  No wonder why these two countries are now  over crowded.
623381
No. They don't need to.\n\nEastern philosophy teaches patience, and waiting because eventually you will get what you want. China has no need to attack a country that they are making increasingly dependant on them. Think about it for a second, who can say that they don't own something in their home that has that little 'made in china' or 'made in taiwan' stamp on the bottom?\n\nOnce the US becomes so dependant on China that they have no choice but to deal with them in economic terms, China will start making the rules. Small adjustments at first, getting bigger demands over time until they have a major say in what happens to American merkets and the American economy. After that, they can become active in politics, and policy making so that they can re-shape western countries to be more like them.\n\nThey have no need to attack what they can influence on their own terms. They can take control without ever having to draw a weapon or fight a battle. And the people that they conquer will welcome them with open arms.
657964
its possible but china is threatning to side with iran if we do, and american does not want to go to war with china
224303
If President Chen losses the initiative for Taiwan to be on the road towards independence, then the inevitable incorporation to mainland China will follow. Maybe not at the present moment, but a definite possibility in fifty years time. The endemic problem of Taiwan, which is similar to South Korea, was that its geo-political existence was shaped by the Cold War. Through the Cold War, the KMT reiterated that the legitimacy of their China was the only alternative, even after the majority of UN recognized mainland China as the 'only China.' Taiwan could have declared itself as an independent nation then and there, as mainland China at that time still lacked the economic and international clout it currently possesses. Due to Cold War geo-politics and KMT short-sightedness, the KMT believed the fairytale of a possible war between East and West, between Communism and Democracy, thereby regaining the lost provinces in mainland China. \nThe present situation is a geo-political fiasco for Taiwan. Perhaps the only democratic Chinese nation on Earth, it neither recognized by 93 percent of nations, and not granted a seat in the UN. Even the Palestinian Liberation Organization was provided an honorary seat whilst conducting an intifadah against Israel. To make matters worse, 70percent of overseas Taiwanese investments are in China, making the island vulnerable to a hostile mainland China. Most of all, a substantial portion of Taiwanese believe in Pan-Chinese unity, whereas emotional loyalty and attachment is still tied to the mainland. It is unsurprising that a large percentage of President Chen's supporters are native Taiwanese, not post-Chinese Civil War immigrants and refugees. \nChina is a growing power, not a great power nor a superpower, but a potential nonetheless. In fifty years time, the status quo would definitely change, if China maintained its current performance and furthered improved in its development. China would become a regional power, with the economic muscle, thereby increasing its geo-political influence, thus dwarfing that of Taiwan. Rarely do nations go to war over ideals, economics and resources, yes, but rarely over ideologies. The world, by then, would hardly raise an eyebrow if mainland China started to gradually isolate and co-opt Taiwan. Even the United States would be hard-pressed to challenge the status quo, as economic interests will certainly be affected. \nIf Taiwan does not decide its future now, then the only future for the island and its 23 million people would be re-integration to mainland China, whether through a plebiscite or force.
438605
Yes, China will continue to build their military and there isn't much we can do about it at this point.  However, we can discourage or slow down some of it by not pouring billions of dollars each year into China, by buying their cheap stuff.  Hell, we could buy cheap stuff from Mexico and at the same time relieve ourselves of the immigration fiasco with Mexico because of their lack of jobs.\n\nThe cold war is back and we must recognize that fact.  Like it or not we must quit this nonsense of expecting positive results with Russia playing the part of power broker, relative to Iran, or China with North Korea.  North Korea is China's counter balance to our relationship with Taiwan.  Iran is Russia's counter balance with our interference in the old Eastern Bloc states.\n\nIn the meantime, as China and Russia build militarily, we damn well better stay ahead of them if we expect to survive.  The only thing either country respects is military might.  At this point we are top dog and I personally think it is in our best interest to stay that way.  Diplomacy will not do it, these adversaries who are the legacy of Mao and Stalin are just biding their time until we show weakness like we did in the nineties.  They love the fact that we are preoccupied with the middle east while they pull the puppet strings on Iran and N. Korea.
583991
First off, 90,000 Taiwanese were liquidated by the Nationalist Chinese when they fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the revolution to the Communists, so the Taiwanese are not in a position to feel anything.\n\nThe Nationalist Chinese until the early 1970's (when President Nixon orchestrated the political recognition of Red China) felt that mainland China was actually a rebellious portion of their country. Nationalist China has long been opposing the idea that Red China is actually China and that they are Taiwan. If Taiwan is now claiming they are an independent country, this is the recognition of a major defeat on their part, but will not protect them from Red aggression in the future. The US Seventh Fleet has always been the only thing maintaining Nationalist liberty.\n\nTo look at this realistically, however, especially now that the USA is stumbling all over itself thinking it is cashing in on Red China enslaving its own people (when in fact we are financing Red Chinese future aggression), Nationalist China will have to spin the independence story very hard for it to be acceptable to their own domestic audience. It may in the end be too much of a political shock, and weaken Nationalist China beyond repair.
671830
Interesting topic for discussion. Unfortunately, due to political issues dating back to Mao and the Nationalists, Taiwan and China just can't separate themselves from one another. The U.S. has a hard time choosing sides because while China helps the pocketbook, Taiwan supports the US ideal of democracy. It also helps to keep good ties to an up and coming military power such as China, wouldn't want to upset them too much considering we serve as Japan's military (although Japan is starting to acquire more defensive weaponry).
1001877
I think so. \n\nBut I think its going to be Russia, China, N.Korea, and Iran against the USA and Brittain. Canada will probably help us but not sure if that counts for much. hehe
1140062
Most definitely yes.\nChina is a very Old and disciplined country that has survived\nfor so many years. thus their huge population.\nThey have the technology and resources to control the world economically. It will be through economic rule that China will be able to dominate the world.\nand if called on the China army is well equipped to defend itself.
742073
No one right on its mind will use first Nukes.   You will be the paria of the whole world and loose all allies.   Nukes will be used when one party is completly lost.\nA ground war with China would look as the war in Russia.   Very long distance to conquer (even worse since you must bring everything by sea).\nAll Chinese have a minimum military training.   When fully mobilising they have more soldiers than the entire population of the US.\nIn Korea, Us had a lot of trouble with the Chinese which were badly underarmed.  The modern Chinese army has very good material and even more troops than in 1950.\nCarpet bombing has someone suggested : China is even larger than the US.   Do you think the Chinese army and factories will stay in the towns ?  Think again.\n\nSo how would look a war with China really ?\nSimply : a lot of naval raids on the Chinese coast, Taiwan taken by the Chinese after a heavy sea battle (with a lot of combats between Chinese airforce versus US navy carriers).\nAn invasion of China is very unlikely because no way you can stop the millions of Chinese (well trained and motivated).\nAt the other hand China can not do much to arm the US and will be cut off from the world for trade so no more export (and so no more currency coming in).\nChina will fall back on it own (like in 1960), the US will be seriously crippled after the first months of battle and can not affort to have a second front somewhere.\n\nAll depends what other countries will do especially Russia, India.\n\nConclusion : both countries have no interest to start a war with each other.   Military it would make the US vulnerable, China would loose a lot economical.
948724
No; we'd only get hit in return by China.  Instead, since China, Japan, Russia, and a couple of other nations have gotten involved in all this, I think it's best to let the powers in that part of the world have a turn at seeing if they can keep North Korea under control before we go storming in to do ANYTHING.