OT: China's new carrier

[ShadoWarrior]

Originally Posted by RN7

How I see this is that China at the moment doesn't have the logistical capability to pull of a sucessful invasion of Taiwan.

I believe that's wishful thinking.

Originally Posted by RN7

It also doesn't have the air or naval power to dominate the airspace or seaways around Taiwan once America commits itself to the defence of Taiwan.

The real issue is whether the Chinese can present a fait accompli before the US can do anything about it. Taiwan lacks the firepower to repel an invasion, and the US lacks sufficient force on station to do so either. Only the deterrent of China starting a war with the US keeps Taiwan free. Taiwan falls no matter what. The only question is if the US is willing to go to war with China (just as the UK and France went to war with Nazi Germany knowing they couldn't stop the Germans from taking Poland).