How can Taiwan defend itself against China?

With thousands of surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft guns, Taiwan could inflict heavy losses on the Chinese invasion force before it reached the main island. Taiwan’s military has fortified defenses around key landing points and regularly conducts drills to repel Chinese forces arriving by sea and from the air.

Could the United States invade Taiwan?

The potential involvement of the U.S. is a key wild card when assessing an invasion scenario. American naval power has long deterred China from any attack, even though the U.S. scrapped its mutual defense treaty with Taiwan in 1979 as a condition for establishing diplomatic ties with Beijing.

Can China and Taiwan avoid a nuclear war?

Taiwan announced it would only shoot if attacked. Despite the saber rattling, China and Taiwan have many reasons to avoid a war that could kill tens of thousands, devastate their economies and potentially lead to a nuclear conflict with the U.S. and its allies.

Could China’s DF-26 nuclear weapon be used against the US?

The DF-26 is showcased during a military parade in Beijing to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China’s founding, in Oct. 2019. Since it can be armed with nuclear warheads, any indication it would be fired at U.S. targets could lead to a preemptive attack that unleashes a wider war.

What happened to the China-Taiwan Relations?

There were also limited talks between the two sides’ unofficial representatives, though Beijing’s insistence that Taiwan’s Republic of China (ROC) government is illegitimate meant government-to-government meetings couldn’t happen. And in 2000, when Taiwan elected Chen Shui-bian as president, Beijing was alarmed.

Does Taiwan plan to inflict unacceptable pain on China?

Consequently, a second aspect of Taiwan’s plans to inflict unacceptable pain on China must explore more offensive options.