7. China Could Invade Taiwan
With Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s expected visit to Taiwan likely to provoke some form of military saber rattling from China, according to the White House, the last thing the world needs right now is another conflict. The conflict between Taiwan and China has a long and bloody history, but in the modern context, the two countries have been and odds since the end of China’s civil war in 1949.
Taiwan considers itself an independent nation, while China views it as a renegade province that will eventually return to being part of mainland China, by force if necessary. However, ever since the protests erupted in Taiwan over the country’s ever growing economic dependence on Beijing, tensions have only increased. What does this mean for the United States? Taiwan has long been a key U.S. partner in the Indo-Pacific and has its own constitution, democratically elected leaders, and about 300,000 active troops in its armed forces.
With the eyes of the world focused on the war between Russia and Ukraine, China could decide to finally use the military option to force Taiwan into becoming part of China. Although the US has no official ties with Taiwan, it does have a law that requires it to provide the island with the means to defend itself, which could quickly escalate into a full on war with China.
If you would like to learn more about the tumultuous history of relations between the United States and China, then why not pick up a copy of Robert G. Sutter’s fascinating book ‘US-China Relations: Perilous Past, Uncertain Present’ right —>HERE<—
OR if you’d like to learn more about our current relations with China click —>HERE<—
