The current round of tensions between China and Taiwan raises the question in my mind as to exactly how much of this is entirely due to Xi and his ambitions, rather than any groundswell of popular demand for action. At the very moment Russian forces invaded Ukraine I suggested that the schwerpunkt that Ukraine had to keep in mind just might be between Putin's ears. One could also spin out an alternate timeline, predating Xi's rise to supremacy, in which the old Cold War theory of 'convergence' (about the USA and the USSR) actually led to the Mainland, Taiwan, and even Hong Kong coming together voluntarily into something not dominated by Party hardliners but more reform minded people. But that's the joy of fantasy, it can go places reality skips over.
China will never invade Taiwan.
Which country has the lowest replacement birth rate on Earth?
A: Taiwan, and it is going to need hordes of young people to keep its economy ticking over.
HINT: There is a country near it which could supply these, with the added bonus that they speak Mandarin.
Which country has 85% of its total Foreign Direct Investment in China?
A: Taiwan
China WILL take over Taiwan, in the same way that it will take over my country, Australia. Slowly, gradually, demographically, over decades.
The 'China will invade Taiwan' meme is dangerous and yet again another self-fullfilling prophecy of the waning American Empire.
Please stop.
The current round of tensions between China and Taiwan raises the question in my mind as to exactly how much of this is entirely due to Xi and his ambitions, rather than any groundswell of popular demand for action. At the very moment Russian forces invaded Ukraine I suggested that the schwerpunkt that Ukraine had to keep in mind just might be between Putin's ears. One could also spin out an alternate timeline, predating Xi's rise to supremacy, in which the old Cold War theory of 'convergence' (about the USA and the USSR) actually led to the Mainland, Taiwan, and even Hong Kong coming together voluntarily into something not dominated by Party hardliners but more reform minded people. But that's the joy of fantasy, it can go places reality skips over.