I agree with you, though I wonder if I am indulging is wishful thinking. If I were Xi, I would simply declare Taiwan as a sixth autonomous region and twenty-fourth province with all governance devolved onto the island. When Taiwan would buy F-16s? Congratulate the autonomous region for contributing to the coastal defense of China. What could the U.S. et al. do?
I would agree Taiwan is the 'point' of highest tension; but I think the recent overwhelming success of Israel's US built Iron Dome in the face of a 300 missile and drone and ballistic missile attack from Iran, possibly gave China pause. On the other hand, China may have much better weapons than Iran, and lastly, I also suspect that there was a deal regarding the scope and nature of the Iran attack; it may have been as performative as Israel's response.
I believe Xi has already made the declaration that Taiwan is a province of the PRC. But at the moment Taiwan is still not standing up and saluting.
Doubt that!! It would not serve our interests anymore than it will theirs.
They want the SMC chip foundry intact!! As do we, and every AI oriented multinational.
I agree with you, though I wonder if I am indulging is wishful thinking. If I were Xi, I would simply declare Taiwan as a sixth autonomous region and twenty-fourth province with all governance devolved onto the island. When Taiwan would buy F-16s? Congratulate the autonomous region for contributing to the coastal defense of China. What could the U.S. et al. do?
I would agree Taiwan is the 'point' of highest tension; but I think the recent overwhelming success of Israel's US built Iron Dome in the face of a 300 missile and drone and ballistic missile attack from Iran, possibly gave China pause. On the other hand, China may have much better weapons than Iran, and lastly, I also suspect that there was a deal regarding the scope and nature of the Iran attack; it may have been as performative as Israel's response.
I believe Xi has already made the declaration that Taiwan is a province of the PRC. But at the moment Taiwan is still not standing up and saluting.