China’s massive investment in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) may show China is preparing to fundamentally change the status quo and preparing for possible war with the United States over Taiwan. To deter China, the United States must rapidly build up its forces in the Pacific, continue to strengthen military alliances in the region to ensure access to bases in time of conflict, and accelerate deliveries of purchased military equipment to Taiwan.
Taiwan is of vital geopolitical importance to the United States. Its thriving democracy is one of the freest societies on the planet. As World War II U.S. Navy Adm. Ernest King said, Taiwan is the “cork in the bottle” for Japan. Whoever controls Taiwan will control Japan and the Republic of Korea’s shipping lifelines. Chinese control of Taiwan will give it enormous influence over both Japan and Korea, fundamentally altering the strategic calculus in East Asia and give China its long sought-after opportunity to Finlandize both countries.
Given the tense relations between the US and China--two competing superpowers-- a potential war adds more to the mix.
4 comments:
Although there is a strong tension between China and the United States, I can not foresee any sort of war between the two countries anytime soon. China may be adding to its army, but the U.S still spends more on its army than the closest countries combined by far. The U.S is still the powerhouse of the world in terms of army, maybe not by size but by expenditure which is very important. In the past, the U.S has let other countries fight without getting involved so it wouldn't be crazy to do the same here. Also, a war between the two biggest economies in the world would have detrimental effects on every country in the world.
With the equal trade reliance between the US and China, it is hard to see a war any time in the future. The US would see massive declines in goods and raw materials from China, which would be detrimental to the economy. China would lose their largest trade partner, and would see unprecedented declines in exports, and likely have an overwhelming stockpile of goods with no buyer.
If this so called war ended up happening between China and the US, the world as we know it could deteriorate. These are the two biggest economies in the world, this would cause many country's economies to suffer. The US and China dictate more of the world's economy than any two other countries.
I think that there is a long way to go before the US and China go to war with each other officially. A war between the United States and China could easily turn into World War 3, which I think most political leaders are interested in avoiding. From an economic standpoint, China and the United States are so heavily entwined economically that it would not make sense to go to war officially.
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