China's military budget to rise by almost 20

[sonorakitch]

In the sense that they're not going to attack American allies, sure. But in the Middle East and elsewhere, they already pose a huge threat because of their exploding economy. They're able to bribe entire regions in Africa and the Middle East to see things their way or do business with them over the Americans, and that's a huge threat.

And a war on Taiwan would be over real quick with the People's Republic coming out on top. They simply possess too great a numerical advantage to lose. That said, both sides of the strait are content with the status quo, for now.

Yes, I am only talking about a military threat. China's cashbox will certainly be a thorn in America's side.

In regards to Taiwan..."being over real quick" indicates you think they could mount a successful amphibious invasion. I don't necessarily think it would be easy at all. Certainly China's missiles would rain down upon Taiwan killing thousands, but Taiwan is fully equipped with AEGIS technology that would counter any naval landing. The US Navy *might* get involved, bloodying up the water a bit. The conflict, as you said, would be over very quickly, but I tender a disagreement with you regarding China "coming out on top".

I fully agree however that both parties are content with the status-quo. China has much to lose with a flaming, burning Taiwan. A peaceful reunification is the only way I think.
~Chris

 

[Pasi Nurminen]

In regards to Taiwan..."being over real quick" indicates you think they could mount a successful amphibious invasion. I don't necessarily think it would be easy at all. Certainly China's missiles would rain down upon Taiwan killing thousands, but Taiwan is fully equipped with AEGIS technology that would counter any naval landing. The US Navy *might* get involved, bloodying up the water a bit. The conflict, as you said, would be over very quickly, but I tender a disagreement with you regarding China "coming out on top".

The People's Liberation Army Air Force has a more than ten to one numerical advantage in combat aircraft. There is no way the Republic of China could hope to survive those odds for more than a few weeks, and even that's stretching it. With uncontested command of the air, the People's Republic could do with Taiwan what it pleases.

The Americans would not be intervening, unless of course they want their economy to come down faster than a house of cards in New Orleans.

 

[Tee Kay]

On Taiwan, I don't think China would consider invasion unless as an absolute last resort considering that business with Taiwan is very lucrative and the get-rich-quick attitude of early 21st century China. Maybe if the extremists in Beijing purge the Communist Party, but that's unlikely to happen.

 

[general_kill]

I'm more afraid of what China can do to our economy than what they can do to us militarily (save their nukes). I very much believe China's statement that their military spending is for defense purposes because they would be crazy if they wanted to go on the offensive especially since US allies have China geographically surrounded.

 

[Winner]

China doesn't have global military ambitions, not yet. They only need forces strong enough to maintain a degree of superiority in the East Asian region. Also, China invest most of its military budget to offensive weapons, like destroyers, fighters, submarines, missiles.

They don't fool themselves, they just need enough military strenght to inflict serious losses on the US forces in the region.

 

[Kozmos]

Well the Chinese J-10 rapes every other aircraft in BF2.

 

[Winner]

Well the Chinese J-10 rapes every other aircraft in BF2.

Not that strong in real world, but it isn't crap either.

 

[Kozmos]

I know it isnt that strong in the real world but it's safe to say that many F-35B pilots replaced their flare key with eject.

 

[Jawz II]

None that can keep China in check. I mean, Canada? Germany? Saudi Arabia? Those countries are more likely to fellate China than they are to oppose it.

Felony fellation of a fellowman.

what?

 

[Ramius75]

I know it isnt that strong in the real world but it's safe to say that many F-35B pilots replaced their flare key with eject.

Yup, in BF2, i refuse to fly in a F35B...

Nontheless, the J-10 is about as good as the Best f16 in the region (which should be enough). In 1 airshow in china, The helmet of the J-10 pilot was observed to include a mounted sight that can aim the missiles by sighting alone, instead of locking using the HUD. This could be couple with the latest 360deg Missiles and able the pilot to shoot anywhere he can see.

 

[warpus]

The People's Liberation Army Air Force has a more than ten to one numerical advantage in combat aircraft. There is no way the Republic of China could hope to survive those odds for more than a few weeks, and even that's stretching it. With uncontested command of the air, the People's Republic could do with Taiwan what it pleases.

The Americans would not be intervening, unless of course they want their economy to come down faster than a house of cards in New Orleans.

China has no way to invade Taiwan.. They have no way to successfully transport their troops onto the island.

 

[Winner]

China has no way to invade Taiwan.. They have no way to successfully transport their troops onto the island.

Not yet, I am sure they're working on that.

 

[warpus]

Not yet, I am sure they're working on that.

And the Russians are working to put a man on Mars...

The Chinese are decades away from being able to successfully land troops on Taiwan.

 

[Winner]

And the Russians are working to put a man on Mars...

The Chinese are decades away from being able to successfully land troops on Taiwan.

Decades? That's a bit exaggerated.

All you need is few transport vessels, good organization and air & naval superiority for a while.

So it all depends on how much the US wants to defend Taiwan.

 

[Desmond Hawkins]

WRT America's lack of new applied R&D funding, it isn't that big of a deal. No one has been developing new super-projects since the Cold War ended.

All of the biggies, F-22, F-35, etc. may be legacies from the 80s, but then so is everyone else's stuff. The latest Russian build-up is just building the newest stuff that was available in 1989. The Eurofighter/Rafale/Gripen are all legacies of 80s R&D too.

The Cold War exhausted countries' spending power and now everyone is in the same slump. As long as nobody is developing new stuff, the US shouldn't worry that much. The Chinese build-up is just attempting to catch up to where everyone else was in the 70s.

 

[emzie]

Decades? That's a bit exaggerated.

All you need is few transport vessels, good organization and air & naval superiority for a while.

So it all depends on how much the US wants to defend Taiwan.

Well invasions don't happen out of the blue. The whole world would see a military build up in eastern China. And while you won't see Marines on Taiwan, you would see a fleet off Taiwan.

The threat of confrontation alone would keep China from attacking. I don't doubt that they could rough up the US fleet, but at what cost to their economy?

 

[Masquerouge]

I really do not see what the big deal is. Oh no, they have an army and want to keep it up to date?

Particularly ironic now that the US just announced they would start a new nuke program.

 

[Fugitive Sisyphus]

As an American, I am not worried. We should not be worried about the growing strength of other countries but any weakness of our own.

As for Taiwan, I expect that China can take it whenever it wants. It's not like the United States has the political will to protect it for much time.

 

[Kozmos]

Russia is selling their expertise to the Chinese so I wouldnt just regard this as only catching up. Everyone has an ace up their sleeve, we just dont know what it is.