Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

What if 'China Attacks Taiwan!'
Parameters (US Army War College Quarterly) ^ | Autumn 2001 | Richard L. Russell

Posted on 12/02/2001 9:26:18 AM PST by Hopalong

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 121-138 next last
To: Voronin
"It's my bet that political reform will start with a two party state setup...."

It's my understanding, for what it's worth, that some in the KMT and a few others are aiming at exactly such a "solution" on the mainland, though theoretically with any number of "parties."

On the other hand, the ChiComs argue, that by maintaining a few inconsequential dummy "parties", they are obviously already a multi-party state, hehe.

At any rate, the ChiComs don't seem to grasp easily that the ROC on Taiwan is not the British in Hongkong or the Portuguese in Macau.

Best regards. S&W R.I.P.

61 posted on 12/03/2001 6:56:25 PM PST by Hopalong
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: wildconservatism
America IS the world, if not then it is the beginning of our decline!
62 posted on 12/03/2001 7:12:14 PM PST by ILuvRonnieRaygun
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Hopalong
What Rules!?

*Thunk*

63 posted on 12/03/2001 7:19:00 PM PST by Republic of Texas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Hopalong
Either way, I am somewhat wary about the arguments the 'Chicoms' (bit dated really isn't it?) use to transmit to the outside world and what they think in reality. Many of Sun Tzu's theories can be applied in non-conflict scenarios. Just as the US bases some of its strengh on the idea of 'credible threat' (I can't remember the exact phrase), I feel that the same is true of the Chinese. After all, a bluff is worthless if you do not take 'appropriate measures'. The way I see it is that whole 'Taiwan scenario' for China acts as a laboratory simulation for the modernization of the rest of China's armed forces. All of that equipment can be redeployed elsewhere if it suits Chinese 'national interests'.

Maybe it is because I don't like 'simple' solutions or explanations, but I think that the Chinese government strategy is 'bloody devious' (to use a British phrase). When you hold up a mirror to yourself, you see what you want to see, but you cannot see underneath, and that is without even going into the machivellian motives of the various parties. I would really like to hear from some former Sinologists, but they seem to be rather thin on the ground these days.

Regs,

VRN

64 posted on 12/04/2001 1:49:03 AM PST by Voronin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: Voronin; Poohbah; super175
Apparently, various parties in the ROC are not yet demanding unconditional surrender on the part of the mainland CCP. One presumes their various offers will become less generous over time.

Best regards. S&W R.I.P.

65 posted on 12/04/2001 5:04:45 PM PST by Hopalong
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

Comment #66 Removed by Moderator

To: Bommer
Boy, you are out to lunch. You have no clue how to do a 'Team-B' Worst-case analysis scenario. Taiwan just does not have the retaliatory punch you think. Nor the seaforces you think. Why do you think they are beginning to panic at the lack of submarines and Aegis cruisers? They really do need them! And GWB is playing right into Bejing's hands by not providing same.

The element of surprise as outlined, if all the precursor assumptions of sea/air-lift inadequacy are invalidated (and quite likely too if you look at the scale of the PRC purchase of Boeing's 757s) are sufficient for them to make a 'go' decision. Harry Wu has also said they will invade, AND they will use nuclear weapons. And not just against Taiwan and its defenses, but against the U.S. mainland. They are crazy enough to do it, and play a game of 'nuclear-chicken.'

67 posted on 12/05/2001 5:56:12 AM PST by Paul Ross
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: roostercogburn
Ya, ya, ya. ...And 20 terrorists would not be able to simultaneously commandeer 4 jumbo jets and fly them into the WTC, Pentagon and almost the White House. I am so TIRED of Jimmy Carter-esque wishful-thinking by arm-chair strategicians. A REAL John Wayne would NOT be taking the PRC's threats as lightly as you.
68 posted on 12/05/2001 6:01:52 AM PST by Paul Ross
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: Voronin; Hopalong; super175; Black Jade
I agree with Voronin that CCP will not invade Taiwan. Today's younger generations in both China and Taiwan do not have the hatred the older generations had 50 years ago.

There are more than 1 million people from Taiwan work in China and China really needs Taiwan's business and factory managemnent skill badly. Here is a real example: A sr. executive who works in a large US company had a business trip to Taiwan. He was originally from Taiwan. Once he arrived in Taiwan he wanted to see his old college friends and could not find them because all of them work in China. So he flew to GuangZho, China and had the reunion there.

Today's KMT is splitted into 3 parties and it is not a major party anymore. Most of those KMT members do not maintain the old slogan "Take back China and Save the Chinese culture and people". Now DPP is the leading party in Taiwan, China can control DPP easily. Look at those members established DPP who are no longer DPP member now, they all are doing big businesses in China.

Military action against Taiwan is not an option because it does not worth the benefit. Open up China for Taiwanese is the best and easiest way to take Taiwan back and US's intervention will never happen.

US has to create a fake tension atmosphere between Taiwan and China so we can sell more out-dated weapons to Taiwan.

69 posted on 12/05/2001 8:54:59 AM PST by color_tear
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: Paul Ross
" They are crazy enough to do it, and play a game of 'nuclear-chicken.'"

The crux, as usual. Some are bluffing, but doubtless some are sufficiently disconnected from reality to contemplate it.

Which is why it is not a question of whether they would "win" or not.

As I said in #3, such moves, if contemplated by the marginally rational among them, would be in my opinion strictly ancillary to painstaking political manipulation.

Which, of course, is exactly how they came to power on the mainland in the first place. And, merely by the way, how the Taleban took over most of Afghanistan.

The assassination of Massoud, in my opinion, was supposed to be the penultimate step.

Best regards. S&W R.I.P.

70 posted on 12/05/2001 9:47:55 AM PST by Hopalong
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: color_tear
"Now DPP is the leading party in Taiwan, China can control DPP easily. Look at those members established DPP who are no longer DPP member now, they all are doing big businesses in China...."

Another crux, which some of the more naive enemies of the KMT are constitutionally incapable of putting into their equations.

Cf. #3.

"Sleepers," until the decsive awakening, usually maintain an outward appearance of great militancy for whatever "cause" they are subverting in their dreams.

Ah Hui (for whom, admittedly from great remove, I have considerable respect) is, at least as far as I can see, playing his own usual, brilliant, and decisive game, don't you think?

Best regards. S&W R.I.P.

71 posted on 12/05/2001 10:02:32 AM PST by Hopalong
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: color_tear; All
Ooops—"decisive".

Best regards. S&W R.I.P.

72 posted on 12/05/2001 10:05:57 AM PST by Hopalong
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: Hopalong
Folks, I don't think that this is a matter of "if", but rather when. My guess is that in 2003 China will begin to invade Taiwan. The US will still be busy with the war on terrorism, and China knows that we can't fight two major wars.

It won't be a huge invasion at first with bombs and planes and ground troops, but rather a series of small actions that will grow in scale and scope. We of course will rattle our saber and warn China against any further action, but it will be too late.

Remember China's goal is to expand their territory. They can smile at us and even pretend to be open to some western influence (like maybe they'll let their citizans view the internet for a brief period of time, like with 9/11). But the reality is that this government is a cold, blood-thirsty communist regime bent on destroying the west. Sorry to be so upbeat, but it IMHO it is going to happen.

73 posted on 12/05/2001 10:12:29 AM PST by Cicero5
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Hopalong
Ah Hui (for whom, admittedly from great remove, I have considerable respect) is, at least as far as I can see, playing his own usual, brilliant, and decisive game, don't you think?

Ah Hui is the Godfather of Chen. He brilliantly single-handed divided KMT into 3 parties, now for this election KMT becomes 4 parties. And that was how he made Chen the president of ROC.

A lot of people in Taiwan still believe Ah Hui is a communist, not necessary the CCP. His sole job was to destroy KMT and he did it beautifully. By traditional Chinese moral value, Ah Hui should be ashamed and hide because he betrayed his party.

74 posted on 12/05/2001 11:00:21 AM PST by color_tear
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 71 | View Replies]

To: Cicero5; Hopalong
There is an old Chinese saying, "Don't do things will bring gains that can not offset the losses" (not worth the effort). 'De Bu chang shi".

CCP can achieve their goal by commerce then why force? Besides, there will be a big price to pay by CCP if they want to take Taiwan by force. They already got more than half of Taiwan's money anyway.

Taiwan's businessmen's mentality: "Borrow money from Taiwan's Banks, Invest and Make money in China, Deposite money in HongKong's banks."

75 posted on 12/05/2001 11:15:24 AM PST by color_tear
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies]

To: color_tear
"By traditional Chinese moral value...."

I understand the attitude to some large degree. By the same values, the ChiComs should collectively commit suicide. And those who oppose them should act the role of the old "Censors."

To what extent did some of the Nationalist factions betray Ah Hui, do you think?

Rather than dealing with new and promising realities, including the apparent attachment of a growing number of ROC citizens to a vibrant, almost no-holds-barred Republic where many of the traditional values—such as the quietism of "Disaster from the mouth"—no longer hold?

I defer to you on present theories about his "ideological" underpinnings, if any.

As far as I can see, he is playing a middle game. That he was responsible for Chen's initial election, and his Party's present success seems inarguable.

But was that not partly because so many in his own party did not wish to acknowledge his own auctoritas? On the other hand, had he wished simply to anoint Chen as his successor, why form a new party?

I have heard some describe Lien as incompetent. What is your view?

Best regards. S&W R.I.P.

76 posted on 12/05/2001 3:30:29 PM PST by Hopalong
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: Hopalong
We can't protect Taiwan from China. The geography is just too restrictive.
77 posted on 12/05/2001 3:34:50 PM PST by Righter-than-Rush
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]

To: Righter-than-Rush; Cicero5
Actually, I think it's quite the reverse—we can't protect the CCP from the ROC on Taiwan and from their own idiocies, as indeed we have done several times in the past, including under Nixon and Clinton.

And even without us, if it came to that, as it almost did under our last administration, the ROC is perfectly capable of fighting off the CCP, militarily or otherwise.

With us on their side, it's not much of a contest.

One thing is certain, the CCP would not survive such an attack.

Best regards. S&W R.I.P.

78 posted on 12/05/2001 3:42:38 PM PST by Hopalong
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: Righter-than-Rush; Cicero5; color_tear; Poohbah
What no one else can protect the ROC from—except themselves—in my opinion, is outlined in #3.

Best regards. S&W R.I.P.

79 posted on 12/05/2001 3:45:02 PM PST by Hopalong
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: color_tear
>>A lot of people in Taiwan still believe Ah Hui is a communist, not necessary the CCP.

Why?

>>By traditional Chinese moral value, Ah Hui should be ashamed and hide because he betrayed his party.

Lee betrayed the CCP in the first place. Why did the KMT trust a traitor?

 

80 posted on 12/05/2001 4:47:27 PM PST by Lake
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 121-138 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson