It’s probably getting harder for China to lie about the health of its economy, so they need a distraction.
China’s been mobilizing for war for fifty years, and so far it’s been (mostly) bluster.
They’re not going to war with Japan, where the spirit of bushido lies just under the surface.
Where the hell is Lurch?
Given our presidents clearly stated desire to surrender the world to terrorists and bullies, I sincerely hope the Japanese are already in possession of nuclear weapons and reliable first and second strike capable delivery systems
The only thing that will stand in the way of the chinese totally destroying the Japanese people will be the certain guarantee of the chinese leadership and population being visited with devastation on a biblical scale.
If the Japanese aren’t armed with the atom, they certainly need to be fast tracking a Manhattan project of their own, NOW.
The only country capable of stopping them is led by a cowardly, incompetent, military hating President, with an in-transit, incompetent national security team. It is in recession, deeply in debt, not even able to afford to refuel its aircraft carriers. China holds much of its massive debt, which can either be used to blackmail the US into inaction, or to bankrupt the US government by selling off that debt quickly & cheaply.
The only possible danger for China is that a narcissistic US President might start a nuclear WWIII just to save face.
Who here thinks Obama would defend Taiwan & Japan, if necessary? I certainly don't. And, please don't bother mentioning mutual defense treaties, as Obama rarely follows the law, & only when it benefits him.
China vs Japan = the end of the “Free Trade” fiasco. The only good outcome.
Never underestimate the deep Chinese desire to repudiate the last 300 years of history. They have already done this in many ways, but they lack a real military victory over a former victor. China did not won WW II, they hosted the war while the USA won it. Of all former enemies, Japan is the most suitable to provide a quick military victory ending without substantial losses or a nuclear exchange. China may believe they can defeat a Japanese fleet, take some islands, and then offer a choice between a settled peace or a massive SRBMS attack.
What would we do? Likely nothing. What would Japan do? They are a geriatric, stagnant country. The Chinese may be willing to toss those dice.
Stand by for an Indo-Japanese alliance. China might be left getting all of their oil from Russia. The Chinese don’t have the navy to force open those LOCs.
I’m a bit skeptical that what’s in this report indicates to the possibility of China attacking Japan. What use are multi-mile long columns of tanks and artillery in what would be a purely naval conflict? You aren’t going to land those sorts of forces on the miserable little rocks that are the Senkakus.