Blademaster

Does anyone think that China is doing the same thing to Taiwan as it did to India, the pearl in a string strategy? I mean the Chinese leaders do want Taiwan back in the fold of China and they have a strategy of going about it. First they are internationally isolating Taiwan and then building economic contacts and links within Taiwan to the point where it would be sheer suicidal for Taiwan to break off the links as it would mean a massive decline in its GDP and lifestyle.

Another thing to consider: What if the PLA sent the soldiers over in Taiwan in plain view and in plain sight? For example, under the guise of tourism, tens of thousands of non-uniformed soldiers are flown to Taiwan on commercial flights and meet up with their superiors in designated spots. Under the guise of going on tours to visit sights and visit families, they pick up weapons. They make near suicidal attacks on the central, regional, and divisional headquarters, incapicitating the leadership and leaving the army rudderless sowing confusion and chaos. Also they commandeer several ships and ram them into the few naval ships that Taiwan has, effectively immobilizing the naval fleet for a period of time in which under this timeframe, the PLA launchs its sea borne assault on the beach.

How many troops would it take to secure a port? It goes without saying that uou need the element of surprise

zraver

I hold that this is the real mechanism of re-unifaction.

The simple answer is thousands of men, as OoE pointed out without mass such attack is not sustainable once a RoC heavy units move in. Plus it only takes a few ideologists in the invaders ranks to tip off the defenders. Taipai isn't ruled by Stalin so military age men with demonstratable skills and knowledge showing up and saying the Chinese are coming in the days before hand is a huge risk. The RoCA would only have to roll up one safe house to know that truth.

Blademaster

And that is the best strategy IMHO because it brings the best result. Reunification without violence. If the CCCP was smart, they should make some concessions that would allow Taiwan to want to reunite with China. It is like United States in the 19th century. Several new territories wanted to be part of USA so they petitioned for statehood.

I am not going for sustainable. All I just need is 72 hours of paralysis because in that timeframe, I would be launching a full scale assault on the beaches and I don't want the reserves be called up and kill us at the beach. Like OOE said, the fight is at the beach and it is a do or die situation given the current leadership of Taiwan.

Officer of Engineers

There is none. The current Taipei government is very responsive to the needs of its 27 million people. Even if Beijing surrenders to Taipei, the needs of a billion people outweighs the needs of 27 million.

You can get 72 hours of paralysis but you will not get a beach assault off in that time. If and when the PLA builds up for an invasion force, you will also have a corresponding build up from the RoCA to meet it and there is no way for the PLA to assemble both troops and ships in 72 hours.

__________________
Chimo

bolo121

Would it be possible for an airborne effort to seize a port during this time?
Do the chinese posess assets capable of doing this?
Merchant ships loaded with troops could be pre positioned to come in as soon as the port was taken.
I am assuming the confusion has also impeded the RoC air response

Officer of Engineers

Two regiments should more than ample strength to take any port but that's not the problem. The problem is keeping it once the RoCA mass and there is no way to prevent the RoCA from massing.

I've had a hard time seeing how the PLA could use any port. It's too easy to block it. Sink a freighter at the mouth and the PLA is blocked from coming in.

Also, you can be sure Taipei got more than enough eyes on the barracks. Taipei would be notified the barracks are emptied long before those troops can assemble on ships.

zraver

What concessions? As OoE said there not much they can offer. Even politcal concessions which would be the most effective way to win over the Taiwanese would only alienate larger populations inside China

netzilla

I have met and known wiser Canadian people with bigger hearts than yourself,so unlike you,I'm not gonna go and bash aother country with palpable bias and discrimination.

However,I do think you for one could use a little perspective here.
30 years ago,China was one of the poorest and isolated nations in the world. Today it has grown to be one of the biggest economies and political powers. I don't think we can become what we are today by "defying the international community all the time" and"thumbing our nose at the rest of the world ",unless you're suggesting the rest of the world are mindless idiots for even considering investing in a country like that.

This isn't the first time the counterfeiting and currency issues are raised by someone whose only channel of information is mainstream western media,you see,that's another difference between us, I'm acturally a little more openminded to read foreign language news materials and listen to other opinions before I judge. So in spite of defending what could easily be proved untrue,I suggest you google search "unfair to blame china" and PLEASE,follow your usual pattern,don't even take a look at the chinese sites,just check out what your own people have to say and be cool.

As for dalai lama,I completely understand why you guys admire him,he's a wise spiritual leader who talks like a philosopher and you dig that. But hold on for just a second,who else is a wise spiritual leader who talks like a philosopher? I mean,what's that guy's name? Is it"Osama something"? Seriously,just because he couldn't pull off a terroist attack on one of the skyscrapers in Shanghai doesn't mean he's a f**king saint,right? If you have some knowledge of Tibetan history(which I don't think you have) or have ever been to Tibet yourself(which I don't think you have,either),you'll know what your legendary humanitarian icon really wants:good old slavery and eternal life as the ruler of Tibet.

About selling weapons to those guys, that's absolutely true,really,as true as the Americans sold weapons to them some 15 years ago and now tasted their own medicine when they invaded iraq and killed tens of thousands of civilians for the most pure and just purpose of all: securing their oil interest.

Having said that much,I'm actually getting a little tired of trying to reason with y'all China-bashers. We will grow even stronger (and very soon) whether you like it or not, DEAL WITH IT.

Ironduke

The RoCN is outnumbered, but not nearly as bad as one would expect given the sheer size of the PRC.

The PLAN has 30 destroyers, 17 of which are Type 051 Luda class, and 43 frigates. The RoCN has 4 Kidd-class destroyers, and 22 frigates. I don't know the quality of the ships, but I'm sure RoCN ships outclass PLAN ships.

The RoCAF has 146 F-16s, 56 Mirage-2000s, 128 F-CKs, and over 60 F-5 Tiger IIs.

PLAAF has 176 Su-27/30 Flanker, 100 J-10s, and 70 JH-7s. They also have hundreds of MiG-21 knockoffs and such, but I don't think those would really be able to take the fight to Taiwan.

I think Taiwan can maintain air supremacy over its own airspace, and perhaps even supremacy over much of the Taiwan Strait. This would pose a challenge to PLAN ships blockading Taiwan, especially those in open water outside the Strait. Taiwan could probably take out any PLAN vessels blockading the island from the east and south at will.

This is just an assumption based on my interpretation of respective naval and air strengths, OoE and xinhui would be better qualified to give comment.


Taiwan is a fortress... hell, I'd think Taiwan would make Overlord look like a walk in a park.

__________________
The Buck Stops Here

Ironduke

May lead to said larger population demanding equal "concessions."

VarSity

I more or less agree with that. I have no faith in Chinese air power.

Officer of Engineers

The role of the PLAAF is not air supremacy but air denial. They don't care if they rule the skies or not. They just don't want your birds to crap on their bellycrawlers.

Officer of Engineers

What happens when American or Japanese flagged vessels decide to break the blockade?

HKDan

"As for dalai lama,I completely understand why you guys admire him,he's a wise spiritual leader who talks like a philosopher and you dig that. But hold on for just a second,who else is a wise spiritual leader who talks like a philosopher? I mean,what's that guy's name? Is it"Osama something"? Seriously,just because he couldn't pull off a terroist attack on one of the skyscrapers in Shanghai doesn't mean he's a f**king saint,right? If you have some knowledge of Tibetan history(which I don't think you have) or have ever been to Tibet yourself(which I don't think you have,either),you'll know what your legendary humanitarian icon really wants:good old slavery and eternal life as the ruler of Tibet."


This is one of the more offensive posts that I have ever had the misfortune to read. You just compared the Dalai Lama to Osama Bin Laden. 'Nuff said.


"Having said that much,I'm actually getting a little tired of trying to reason with y'all China-bashers. We will grow even stronger (and very soon) whether you like it or not, DEAL WITH IT."

As far as I can tell from you profile this was your first post. You got tired of defending China in a real hurry. Or was this just trolling? If you want to come here and defend China from what you see as unjustified criticism please do. Im sure that you will find not all here are hostile to that idea. However, please think about what you are writing...and go introduce yourself in the new members forum.

lwarmonger

No one's rise is inevitable, and given the plethora of rivals and potential enemies that China possesses on its borders, I'd say even if it continues its current rate of growth (doubtful, since the population is aging and the economy beginning to mature already by transferring over to services) that "breaking out" is going to be as difficult as Germany found it to be in the 20th century.