China Risks East Asia War Through 3 Flashpoints as Military Gaps Crimp Taiwan Invasion
Updated
Updated · Fox Business · Aug 13
China Risks East Asia War Through 3 Flashpoints as Military Gaps Crimp Taiwan Invasion
1 articles · Updated · Fox Business · Aug 13
Summary
Gordon Chang said China is more likely to trigger an uncontrollable East Asia conflict through confrontations than by launching a full-scale assault on Taiwan.
Three flashpoints—Second Thomas Shoal, Scarborough Shoal and the East China Sea islands disputed with Japan—could spiral if Beijing cannot de-escalate once a clash begins.
Chang argued China’s military is currently not positioned to invade Taiwan’s main island, citing vacancies on the Communist Party’s Central Military Commission and a lack of operational officers.
That weakness is pushing Beijing toward intimidation rather than force, he said, though the pressure campaign may be backfiring by hardening Taiwan’s resistance to Chinese rule.