Is China Preparing for War?

DaShi · February 14, 2004, 09:13

I've noticed an increased presence of the military lately. Especially aircraft. Everyday, I see or hear fighter jets flying over the city. In fact, there's one flying by as I type this. It's quite annoying. I can't hear the TV.

Anyway, this has been going on for over a week. Do you think something is up?

Chaos_BF1942 · February 14, 2004, 09:50

What city do you live in?

It may just be China 'showing off' and tring to see what they can get away with.

BeBro · February 14, 2004, 09:51

They will declare the war on spam

Capt Dizle · February 14, 2004, 09:54

I wouldn't worry too much about air activity but I would be concerned if they were building sea transports.

With the US military stretched so thin and the possibility of Kerry being elected, next year might be the time for China to solve the two Chinas problem.

For Taiwan's sake let us pray for the reelection of Bush (or an Edwards miracle).

Tripledoc · February 14, 2004, 10:01

Maybe a new base has been activated near where you live. Or it could be an exercise. Or it could be that increased international tension led the Chinese to think that keeping a few fighters airborne all the time will ensure a greater survival rate if they are hit with a preemptive strike. Or it could be to calm the citizens, by showing that the defense is active and alert. Who knows.

Do they test air-raid sirens in Chinese cities?

Nubclear · February 14, 2004, 14:38

Quote:

Originally posted by jimmytrick
I wouldn't worry too much about air activity but I would be concerned if they were building sea transports.

With the US military stretched so thin and the possibility of Kerry being elected, next year might be the time for China to solve the two Chinas problem.

For Taiwan's sake let us pray for the reelection of Bush (or an Edwards miracle).

Not even Bush is crazy enough to attack China if they attack Taiwan

Verto · February 14, 2004, 14:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Comrade Tassadar

Not even Bush is crazy enough to attack China if they attack Taiwan

Do you think any of the past presidents would have done so? Sincerely curious.

Nubclear · February 14, 2004, 14:52

No.

PLATO · February 14, 2004, 15:07

I do. Although I think the chance of a US intervention is lessening with time. It would be a terrible shame to see Taiwan on the edge of real democracy to fall under the communit yoke.

Patroklos · February 14, 2004, 15:09

We wouldn't invade China, but you gan bet we would shink that fleet of floating junk they call a Navy.

It isn't really a question, if China invades Tiawan we WILL respond.

Barinthus · February 14, 2004, 15:17

Where are you, DaShi.

China's not communist anyway. They say they are but in reality they are not. Who knows if China absorbs Taiwan, they will get infected with the democraziation virus from Taiwan along with Hong Kong.

Nubclear · February 14, 2004, 15:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Patroklos
We wouldn't invade China, but you gan bet we would shink that fleet of floating junk they call a Navy.

It isn't really a question, if China invades Tiawan we WILL respond.

"Naughty China!!! :nono" is about all we would even dare do

Oncle Boris · February 14, 2004, 15:35

America will not respond if China attacks Taiwan.

Lancer · February 14, 2004, 15:37

Wong Way got lost again maybe?

Tripledoc · February 14, 2004, 15:43

From a cost benefit point of view China would have very little to gain from launching an invasion. The economy is doing nicely, foreign investments is pouring in, there is a growing middle class. If the war is lost the communist leadership would be in serious trouble.

Gatekeeper · February 14, 2004, 15:47

Precisely, Tripledoc.

Gatekeeper · February 14, 2004, 15:48

Come to think of it, Taiwan almost sounds like China's version of America's Cuba — a thorn in its side in terms of how it's governed.

The Templar · February 14, 2004, 15:51

Quote:

Originally posted by Patroklos
We wouldn't invade China, but you gan bet we would shink that fleet of floating junk they call a Navy.

It isn't really a question, if China invades Tiawan we WILL respond.

I wouldn't count on it. If the Chinese leadership were to say, "How many cities are you willing to lose for Taiwan? We're willing to lose three or four ..." then it's over for Taiwan. No president will trade Honolulu and/or Los Angeles for Taipei.

Besides, the business community has too much invested in China to let Bush and those neocons get too hot about Taiwan. What would probably happen is China would offer some economic concessions (maybe letting their currency rise) and abandon North Korea to the US in exchange for the US backing off.

Space05us · February 14, 2004, 16:01

Can someone explain to me why we care about Taiwan in the first place?

Verto · February 14, 2004, 16:15

Quote:

Originally posted by Space05us
Can someone explain to me why we care about Taiwan in the first place?

It's a matter of principle.

Ben Kenobi · February 14, 2004, 16:21

It has to do with the relationship between Taiwan, as the haven for the Nationalist Kuomintang.

The US has promised to defend China ie, Taiwan, from the Communist oppressors.

Nubclear · February 14, 2004, 16:22

Quote:

Originally posted by Verto

It's a matter of principle.

The US is hardly a nation of "principle"

Verto · February 14, 2004, 16:41

This coming from the Soviet sycophant.

Nubclear · February 14, 2004, 16:44

At least we don't claim to be the defenders of freedom and democracy, all the while trying to take it away from others just because they choose a different path to it

Verto · February 14, 2004, 16:49

We took nothing from anyone, and gave something to everyone.

Tripledoc · February 14, 2004, 16:50

Quote:

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
The US has promised to defend China ie, Taiwan, from the Communist oppressors.

The US has around half a million more prisoners than China, which has four times the population. This is perhaps because in China they do not imprision the same amount of non-violent offenders, which in the US makes up around 70% of the incarcerated.

http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/98dec/prisons.htm

Nubclear · February 14, 2004, 16:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Verto
We took nothing from anyone, and gave something to everyone.

Surely you don't want me to regurgitate the list of US atrocities?

Verto · February 14, 2004, 17:23

Quote:

Originally posted by Comrade Tassadar

Surely you don't want me to regurgitate the list of US atrocities?

No need to turn this into a useless US vs. USSR thread.

David Floyd · February 14, 2004, 17:26

Quote:

I wouldn't count on it. If the Chinese leadership were to say, "How many cities are you willing to lose for Taiwan? We're willing to lose three or four ..." then it's over for Taiwan.

But what if the United States responds with "If we lose one city, then you lose IT ALL." Turn it around - is Taiwan worth China ceasing to exist? And there's no question - if China destroyed Honololu or LA, the US would bomb China back to the LITERAL stone age.

CharlesBHoff · February 14, 2004, 18:28

Quote:

Originally posted by David Floyd

But what if the United States responds with "If we lose one city, then you lose IT ALL." Turn it around - is Taiwan worth China ceasing to exist? And there's no question - if China destroyed Honololu or LA, the US would bomb China back to the LITERAL stone age.

I donot belive that America will defend that Island from China Invadion. If we nuke China, China will nuke the United State back to the stone age also.