But they would be no match for the Seawolf and Virginia class subs that would be sent in by the US to wipe them out should the shooting start. Despite what the MSN may be saying, Bush has been quietly but strongly supporting Taiwan (espablishing an air base close to the island, putting US troops back there, etc. etc. etc.). The year to worry is 2008 when Hitlery tries to run... and the ChiCom olympics thing.
Firstly,I don't really foresee big US involvement in any cross-straits conflict,unless the Chinese flip their lids & attack US forces or Japan first.The reasoning is that China will plan & implement an attack on Taiwan at it's time of choosing & that most possibly well be when the US is tied up somewhere-maybe an Iraq or an Iran.If you can remember,did the Chinese posture like the way they are doing now before the US attack on Iraq??The US military may certainly be light years ahead,but the will to send them to conflict is going to come from a politician.As far as I've seen,nothing solid has emerged on plans to sell Taiwan the Aegis system(which is all American) which is crucial for Taiwan to have a chance against a fraction of Chinese ballistic missiles or airpower.The same goes for 8 D/E subs(which may never be sold given the need for European cooperation).