South China Sea Heats Up

[Sir Slash]

Another possible parallel, China like Japan would find far more support from other Asian nations with a far less aggressive approach and attitude. A possible reunification with Taiwan might become a reality if the CCP wasn't so absolutely committed to outright conquest of the island and destruction of the regime there. Other nearby Asian nations might be open to alliance or cooperation with the CCP if they imagined they could retain their independence and local sovereignty. A more benign Greater Southeast Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere of today might become the dominant world power. Thank God they're so greedy!

[FarAway Sooner]

Another possible parallel, China like Japan would find far more support from other Asian nations with a far less aggressive approach and attitude. A possible reunification with Taiwan might become a reality if the CCP wasn't so absolutely committed to outright conquest of the island and destruction of the regime there. Other nearby Asian nations might be open to alliance or cooperation with the CCP if they imagined they could retain their independence and local sovereignty. A more benign Greater Southeast Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere of today might become the dominant world power. Thank God they're so greedy!

Yeah.  I'm not sure that "greedy" is quite the right word, but I don't know what the right word is.  "Totalitarian"?  "Monolithic"? 

That's also why I think a Chinese blockade of Taiwan is MUCH more likely than an outright invasion.  I'm not sure that the US is prepared to start shooting with China over Chinese interceptions of merchant ships in contested waters.  Nor do I know that the Japanese would allow the use of US air bases in Japan if the US fired the first shots.

I wonder how long before the Japanese start discussing their own nuclear deterrent?

[ArizonaTank]

and Japan will get 1,200 AMRAAMs from the US. 

Why would they possibly need so many?   

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/u-s-approves-massive-foreign-military-sale-of-1-200-aim-120d-3-and-aim-120c-8-amraam-missiles-to-japan/ar-AA1wVHlE?ocid=msedgntp&pc=NMTS&cvid=ade149a531ab433789f87b1c43ea016b&ei=23

[Tripoli]

and Japan will get 1,200 AMRAAMs from the US. 

Why would they possibly need so many?   

Only one reason I can think of....

[Grogzilla]

^Excuse me, sir! I do not recall granting you a license to use my images and likeness.

[ArizonaTank]

China is building specialized barges that will give them the capability to establish temporary piers on beaches. These piers are like the Allied "Mulberry" piers at Normandy, or the US floating piers to Gaza last year. Historically, such piers have had mixed results due to being vulnerable to bad weather.

There appears to be no other reason for China to have this capability than to support an invasion of Taiwan.

China is not even trying to hide their intent.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/china-s-invasion-barges-are-a-sure-sign-that-war-is-coming/ar-BB1ro0qM?ocid=msedgntp&pc=NMTS&cvid=cce0b804171e44d3aa9e85c562779122&ei=39