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To: ffrancone
As much as I would like to see Taiwan a separate country, do you really want our current president to say that the commitments of the United States are meaningless? Especially when we benefitted so richly from those committments?

I agree completely. You know it seems that a lot of "armchair diplomats" confuse the power to do something with the wisdom of doing something. China is an emerging super-power. Their economy is second largest in the world, roughly half of our economy. Within 15 to 20 years, they will have a larger economy than ours. They are not, at least have not been, imperialistic and we don't want them to be. Yes we should make it clear that we would provide help for Taiwan if China should try to invade. When it gets to the point where China does have the military capacity to invade Taiwan, there will be a political solution. Power works that way.
26 posted on 10/26/2002 3:59:06 AM PDT by BillCompton
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To: BillCompton; Jeff Head
They also have not acted militarily to take back Taiwan, probably because they didn't have the capacity, but maybe because they are patient enough accomplish it politically like they did with Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is not a very good "political" example. The return of Hong Kong had to do with a lease expiration and nothing to do with political solutions, as is happening now.
Their economy is second largest in the world, roughly half of our economy. Within 15 to 20 years, they will have a larger economy than ours.
Speculation on your part?
And from a "war making" aspect where production is key...Why Is China Growing So Fast?
The most interesting part...China's recent productivity performance is remarkable. By comparison, productivity growth for the Asian tigers hovered around 2 percent, sometimes slightly more, for the 1966-91 period. China's rate of almost 4 percent simply puts it in a class by itself.
I notice you used the "tiger" metaphor yourself earlier in the thread.
When it gets to the point where China does have the military capacity to invade Taiwan, there will be a political solution.
China's Military Keeps on Modernizing
War over Taiwan is not viewed by Beijing as imminent. Given the desire of both the Taiwan government and the United States not to provoke Beijing into military action, the initiative lies with China. Its leaders believe that the sustained rapid growth of the economy is working in their favor.
Almost all the new conventional weapons needed to overcome China's military backwardness have to be imported at high cost. Imported weapons make China dependent on suppliers, primarily Russia, for spare parts and follow-on models. Although a large part of the military budget is earmarked for current expenses, at these levels substantial funds are available for imports. Suppliers stand ready to sell modern weapons and technology - first of all Russia, but also Israel, France, Britain, Germany and South Africa. The equipment of China's armed forces can be expected to improve much more in the coming years than in the recent past.

Yep, history repeating itself. Pump up the economy and in a few years your enemy is powerful enough and wealthy enough to strike out. I wonder...will the "political solution" be Chamberlainian in manner?
Jeff, you might have some more insights.

43 posted on 10/26/2002 5:27:09 AM PDT by philman_36
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To: BillCompton
They are not, at least have not been, imperialistic and we don't want them to be.

You seem to be forgetting about the invasion and brutal repression of Tibet, a separate nation and culture. Doesn't that meet your definition of imperialism?

52 posted on 10/26/2002 5:58:49 AM PDT by SR71A
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To: BillCompton
They are not, at least have not been, imperialistic and we don't want them to be.

[Boggle!] Tell that to Tibet!!!!

99 posted on 10/26/2002 8:13:32 AM PDT by Silverdrake
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