Is China Gearing Up to Invade Taiwan?

PLA soldiers are featured singing of their readiness for battle (Image: PLA)

RFI: Is mainland China gearing up for an invasion of Taiwan?

Increasingly hostile rhetoric from Beijing, and a growing number of incursions by the Chinese air force and navy into Taiwanese territory, point to China’s determination to occupy the self-proclaimed island state. Will the US honour promises to Taipei and come to the rescue if push comes to shove?

Chinese military exercises "are rehearsals for taking over Taiwan,” said the Beijing-controlled Global Times newspaper in an editorial published on 18 September. “What is needed is a political reason that can turn them into a real battle to smash Taiwan independence forces.”

According to Taiwan News, the exercises by the mainland’s People’s Liberation Army involved dozens of transgressions into Taiwanese territory. The online newspaper claims that PLA Airforce Shaanxi Yun-8 anti-submarine propeller planes entered the Taiwanese Air Defence Identification Zone (Adiz), followed by submarines.

Over the following days, dozens of incursions ensued, obliging the Taiwanese air force to scramble jet fighters in response. As a result, Taiwan said China had "threatened regional peace and stability". And Taiwan elevated its air defence alert level.

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WNU Editor: While China is making it clear on what are their red lines when it comes to Taiwan .... Returning US forces to Taiwan will ‘trigger reunification-by-force operation’ (Global Times), the People's Liberation Army is saying that they are ready for war right now .... China READY FOR WAR: Taiwan sent explosive warning as army boast 'we are ready to go' (Express). I personally think China will not invade Taiwan for the next few years. China does not have a large enough nor modern enough military to face the onslaught that would come their way should they embark on such an adventure. But in another decade .... I am not sure.