The article discusses the increasing military tensions in Asia, particularly between China and Taiwan, amidst concerns about global instability following conflicts in Europe and the Middle East. It highlights China’s military readiness to invade Taiwan by 2027, backed by a strong political rhetoric denouncing Taiwan’s leadership. The piece reflects on the historical context of US-Taiwan relations and emphasizes the change in power dynamics over recent decades, raising alarms about potential complacency and the serious implications of a conflict that could arise from Xi Jinping's ambitions for unification with Taiwan.
The belief that bad things come in threes is an old superstition with scant basis in fact. Still, in these disordered times, it's natural to wonder whether war in Europe and the Middle East will be followed by war in Asia.
US officials warned last week that China already has sufficient capability to invade now, with amphibious landing craft, D-day-style floating docks, paratroopers and expanded air combat and missile forces in a constant state of readiness.
Since 1979, when the US established diplomatic relations with Beijing and de-recognised Taiwan, peace has held. But calculations change and complacency is dangerous.
China is vastly more powerful now than it was 10 or 20 years ago. And for Xi, who turns 72 in June, unification is a legacy project.
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