link to article: https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/pentagon-report-china-two-pronged-war-india-taiwan-1874152-2021-11-08
Summary: This article summarizes the Pentagon’s report on China’s conflict with both India and Taiwan, however a majority of the article is focused on the Taiwanese conflict. The conflict between India and China is border disputes where neither area is advancing on each other but the threat of the other advancing keeps armed forces on the border to defend. Conflict between the Taiwanese however is a bit more complex. While China claims to have peaceful unification. The Pentagon’s report however suggests that China had prepared multiple options for a military campaign against Taiwan. China’s options range from an air and maritime blockade to a full-scale amphibious invasion to take over and control some or all of Taiwan possibly including its offshore islands. The article then goes into details of how China with its current technology could go about an invasion or blockades.
Analysis: China has been pushing Taiwan more and more as of late. They have been using scare tactics such as doing military drills directly across from Taiwan. China also while publicly stating they wish for only peaceful unification with Taiwan, have also stated multiple times that they will use force if needed. However these scare tactics are most likely just that scare tactics. With America supporting Taiwan it is unlikely for China to spark a real conflict or actually invade Taiwan. If China was to invade Taiwan even if they were to succeed they would incur the wrath of America and possibly European countries. It seems like the cons of taking over Taiwan heavily outweigh the pros. China might however be forced to make such a drastic move as in coming years America will have an even firmer grasp on the China Sea especially with Australia getting nuclear submarines.
How this relates to class: This shows how China and up and coming superpower handles “problem” territories. Taiwan has been a thorn in China’s side for a while now and taking Taiwan over would mean easier trades for China. So while publicly China has to appear to be peaceful so as to not anger America, Taiwan’s ally. As America is the highest power in a Unipolar system. China says it is peaceful but their actions show a more aggressive stand point to show Taiwan that they are powerful and that Taiwan should be scared of them..