China on Wednesday came out with a white paper that stated in effect that it would occupy Taiwan by force, if necessary, even as it completed 10 days of live fire drill involving some 370 assorted fighter aircraft and 14 warships to browbeat Taipei...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
China on Wednesday came out with a white paper that stated in effect that it would occupy Taiwan by force, if necessary, even as it completed 10 days of live fire drill involving some 370 assorted fighter aircraft and 14 warships to browbeat Taipei and force the neighbouring countries into submission by its "shock and awe" tactics.
The war dance around Taiwan was accompanied by several countries like Russia, Iran, Pakistan, and Cambodia parroting "One China" policy with Beijing's wolf warriors taking nasty diplomatic shots at anyone seen to be siding with Taiwan during House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visit to the self-governing Island nation. The statements from China were shorn of any delicate diplomacy and resembled a shout and name calling from a global bully.
The PLA has now concluded the war game simulating the capture of Taiwan but has promised to keep the entire Island under watch through frequent combat air and naval patrols in the Taiwan Straits separating the island from the mainland.
While the entire region including pacifist Japan and South Korea were on tenterhooks in the past 10 days, the big question is will President Xi Jinping order his forces to capture Taiwan in near future or was the white paper mere diplomatic posturing? The question does not have simple answers but the cost benefit analysis by top national security experts reveals that taking over Taiwan by China by use of military force is easier said than done.
