A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be a bloody, logistical nightmare

CNN ^ | Ben Westcott

[Psalm 73]

That large Red Chinese military equipment inventory is scattered over a huge land area. Like Israel, Taiwan is only defending a small area, with short internal logistics lines.

[major_gaff]

I'm guessing you meant to reply to my post. I didn't mean to say that an
amphib assault would be easy against Taiwan, but it would be easier than an
airborne one...either way, the ChiComs would have a heck of a time
achieving a toe hold on the island. And you are correct about the locals...I
have been to Taiwan several times for work and they are hearty folk. They
would fight an epic guerilla war against the ChiComs

[major_gaff]

Not sure the ChiCom's could secure a beach head on the island and we're
talking conventional...the nuke card changes the calculus...so no, we
probably would not risk that. Thank you Bill Clinton and Ron Brown for
giving the Chinese the ability to hit us...grrrrrr

[2big2fail]

If I were a Chinese general I would first hit Tiawan with a massive barrage of neutron-tipped cruise missiles and EMP weapons that would wipe out Taiwanese manpower and degrade their electronics. It could go on for a day or so. Then use overwhelming force to gain air superiority. After that the Chinese could commandeer all manner of fishing boats and other civilian craft to move soldiers in to the beaches — think Dunkirk in reverse.
If the US does not intervene, ie if we were distracted by civil unrest or natural disaster as another poster listed, it would work.
In fact, I believe the Chinese military already has several plans like this ready to implement should the US be distracted. Just waiting for the right moment. Sort of like the protests in the US that were “spontaneous” once the George Floyd incident took place.

[Tai_Chung]

But for seven decades, China has resisted attacking Taiwan

That's not true. There were active hostilities throughout the 1950's. The occasional artillery bombardment of the Taiwanese island of Kinmen occurred for many decades afterwards.

[Covenantor]

Occassional bombardments? The news reels and television networks showed the continous massive barrages on the evening news. There were serious discussions and fears of the bombardments being a casus belli. Even into the lead up of the 1960 presidential elections it remained a serious national and international concern. The Korean war was still fresh in every ones mind. It was even discussed in my grade school classes.

Here's a map showing Quemoy and Matsu.

(your calling Quemoy island Kinmen suggests

a. You're not from around here.

b. You received your information thru Red Chinese sources

c. You might be a PRC troll...you wouldn't be the first)

[Sam Gamgee]

The USA would not stand by and let it happen. Assuming we have Trump again, I think it would be a great excuse for Trump to end all trade relations with China. If its Biden may God help us all.

[egfowler3]

SOURCE: [Fake news] CNN

That’s all you need to know

[aimhigh]

China doesn’t need to invade the island. All China has to do is create a blockade, cutting off food, oil and other shipments.

[SuperLuminal]

Formosa is formidable...

[Jim Noble]

The question is, is Taiwan more like Switzerland 1938 or Austria 1938?

My money’s on “Austria”.

[Jim Noble]

we are bound to help them by treaty

There is ZERO chance that the US would go to war over Taiwan.

And there is no treaty which obligates us to defend Taiwan, at least not a treaty that was ever ratified by the Senate.

In fact, current US legislation FORBIDS the President to engage in hostilities over Taiwan unless directed to do so by Congress, which of course Congress would never do.

[JimRed]

It wouldn’t take long—a threat of a nuke attack on LA, SF, Seattle would keep us at bay.

If we have to lose a few cities, lets hope it's those. Within a few hours China would be reduced to the stone age.