Latest news: ◆ Washington Post, 9-18-2020: China launches combat drills in Taiwan strait warns us not to play with fire, Taiwan warned that it could devolve into all-out war ◆ NY Times, 9-18-2020: U.S. Official Visits Taiwan, and China Warns of Consequences “Taiwan has become completely dependent on the United States” ◆ DW, 9-19-2020:  the world has underestimated the severity of this flashpoint and that there's the potential for war over Taiwan — I think itself is an underestimation," said Ian Easton... 2020 to 2030 is the most dangerous time on earth ◆ U.S. News, 9-17-2020: China Threatens U.S. Over Taiwan Visit: ‘Stones May Become Torpedoes’ ◆ NY Times, 9-19-2020: The Chinese aircraft, including two H-6 strategic bombers, crossed the median line between the mainland and Taiwan in the strait from four different directions  ◆ Guardian 9-17-2020:  Taipei fears “a real possibility” of war ◆ France 24, 9-16-2020: Taiwanese FM on China: 'After Hong Kong, Taiwan might be next' , more support from the international community is needed to hamper China's expansion ◆ The Hill, 9-17-2020: The U.S. Election (Nov. 3 week) Could Be a Danger for Taiwan, an Opportunity for China (to invade) ◆ Foreign Affairs, 9-2-2020:  American Support for Taiwan Must Be Unambiguous; The best way to ensure that the United States does not need to come to Taiwan’s defense is to signal to China that it is prepared to do so  ◆ N.Y. Times, 8-30-2020:  Taiwan has moved to revamp Taiwan’s military doctrine and strengthen its reserves...Taiwan cannot count on US as a matter of strategy ◆ Economist, 8-30-2020:  The island cannot rely on American help, but armed conflict remains unlikely ◆ Forbes, 8-30-2020: Taiwan simply does not have enough firepower to  defeat a Chinese invasion without the help of the U.S. military   ◆ The Hill, 8-25-2020: Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) ... does not say the president must wait to consult Congress until a Chinese attack actually occurs or is imminent — only that the threat to Taiwan’s democratic security and the danger to U.S. interests be identified...Yet, Biden... consultation with Congress prior to responding would cause disastrous delay   ◆ US Naval Institute, Proceedings, Aug. 2020: 2021 U.S. political transition would be an even more vulnerable time than usual for U.S. decision-making...  such an opportunity would only appear every few decades...for achievement of a long-held goal — to bring Taiwan back into China  ◆ CNN, 8-14-2020: What Taiwan needs form the US is a strong stable marriage not a hot passionate romance ...  a long-term antagonistic relationship between the US and China wasn't sustainable after November... Taiwan needs to think about it    ◆ CNN, 8-11-2020 : Beijing's warplanes have only crossed  the Taiwan Strait "median line" ( "the de facto cease-fire line") intentionally three times since 1999 (ps: Newsweek 8-12-2020: since 1949)-- once in March 2019, in February of this year, and again on Monday (Azar met with Taiwan President Tsai)  ◆ aljazeera, 8-11-2020: Taiwan's top diplomat tells visiting US health secretary that Chinese pressure is making 'life increasingly difficult'  

◆

◆

China's Military Power Report /  annual Report to US Congress (2020)

                Military and Security Developments involving P.R.C. 2020 
　

 US Department of Defense 2020 report, 9-1-2020 /  Chinese military VS. Taiwanese military

the military balance in the Taiwan Strait is stacked firmly in China's favor

https://media.defense.gov/2020/Sep/01/2002488689/-1/-1/1/2020-DOD-CHINA-MILITARY-POWER-REPORT-FINAL.PDF

   pic. left :   Ground Forces - Taiwan vs. China ;      pic. right :   Naval Forces - Taiwan vs. China 

Forbes 9-2-2020 fig.: https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2020/09/02/the-military-imbalance-in-the-taiwan-strait-in-2020-infographic/#2aeed4fc4ca5

China has also made huge progress building amphibious assault ships and tank-landing vessels that would be essential in launching a successful invasion of Taiwan.

 the China Military Power Report estimates that China's warhead stockpile is now in the low 200s and that number is expected to double to at least 400-500 by 2030

   pic. left :   Air Forces - Taiwan vs. China ;      pic. right :  China's Rocket Forces

TAIWAN’S DEFENSIVE CAPABILITIES 

◆(1)  China’s multi-decademilitary modernization effort has eroded or negated many of the military advantages that Taiwan has historically enjoyed the context of a cross-Strait conflict.

◆(2)  Taiwan is taking important steps to compensate for the growing disparities – building its war reserve stocks, growing its defense-industrial base, improving joint operations and crisis response capabilities,and strengthening its officer and noncommissioned officer corps – these improvements only partially address Taiwan’s declining defensive advantages.

◆(3)  The modified strategy stresses enhanced asymmetric capabilities, as well as suggesting greater reliance on Taiwan’s Air Force and Navy.

◆(4)  The transition (active duty forces to all-volunteer force ) has slowed due to severe difficulties recruiting volunteers.

◆(5)  Taiwan has stated that it is working to develop new concepts and capabilities for asymmetric warfare. Some specific areas of emphasis include offensive and defensive information & EW，high-speed stealth vessels ，shore-based mobile missiles  rapid mining and minesweeping  unmanned aerial systems and critical infrastructure protection.

These circumstances PLA would use forces have included:
1. Formal declaration of Taiwan independence; 2. Undefined moves toward Taiwan independence; 3. Internal unrest in Taiwan; 4. Taiwan’s acquisition of nuclear weapons; 5. Indefinite delays in the resumption of cross-Strait dialogue on unification; 6. Foreign intervention in Taiwan’s internal affairs;  7. Foreign forces stationed on Taiwan.
　

◆(1) China could pursue a measured approach by signaling its readiness to use force or conduct punitive actions against Taiwan. The PLA could also conduct a more comprehensive campaign designed to force Taiwan to capitulate to unification, or unification dialogue under China’s terms.
◆(2) China would attempt to delay and defeat intervention in an asymmetric, limited war of short duration. In the event of a protracted conflict, China might choose to escalate cyberspace, space, or nuclear activities in an attempt to end the conflict, or it might choose to fight to a stalemate and pursue a political settlement.
◆(3) China has a range of options for military campaigns against Taiwan, from an air and maritime blockade to a full-scale amphibious invasion to seize and occupy some or all of Taiwan or its offshore islands.

●   Blockades  ―  kinetic blockades of maritime and air traffic, including a cut-off of Taiwan’s vital imports, to force Taiwan’s capitulation. Large-scale missile strikes and possible seizures of Taiwan’s offshore islands would accompany a Joint Blockade in an attempt to achieve a rapid Taiwan surrender, while at the same time, posturing air and naval forces to conduct weeks or months of blockade operations if necessary. China will also likely complement its air and maritime blockade operations with concurrent electronic warfare (EW), network attacks, and information operations (IO) to further isolate Taiwan’s authorities and populace and to control the international narrative of the conflict.

●   Limited Force or Coercive Options  ―  a variety of disruptive, punitive, or lethal military actions in a limited campaign against Taiwan, probably in conjunction with overt and clandestine economic and political activities supported by a variety of IO to shape perceptions or undercut the effectiveness or legitimacy of the Taiwan authorities. Such a campaign could include computer network or limited kinetic attacks against Taiwan’s political, military, and economic infrastructure to induce fear in Taiwan and degrade the Taiwan population’s confidence in their leaders.
●  Air and Missile Campaign   ―   China could use missile attacks and precision air strikes against air defense systems, including air bases, radar sites, missiles, space assets, and communications facilities to degrade Taiwan’s defenses, neutralize Taiwan’s leadership, or break the Taiwan people’s resolve.
●  Landing Campaign  ―  The most prominent of these, the Joint Island Landing Campaign, envisions a complex operation relying on coordinated, interlocking campaigns for logistics, air, and naval support, and EW. The objective would be to break through or circumvent shore defenses, establish and build a beachhead, transport personnel and materiel to designated landing sites in the north or south of Taiwan’s western coastline, and launch attacks to seize and occupy key targets or the entire island.

◆ (4) The PRC appears willing to defer the use of military force as long as it considers that unification with Taiwan could be negotiated over the long-term and the costs of conflict outweigh the benefits

PS

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2020/09/02/wad-up-the-pentagons-propagandistic-china-report-and-toss-it-in-the-trash/#768072865437  

◆  Global Times, 9-2-2020: Chinese Defense Ministry: the Pentagon report  is "full of zero-sum game and cold war mentality," and apart from stigmatizing China's national defense expenditure and nuclear policy, it's also creating tensions between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, which is a terrible mistake, China expresses firm opposition to it.  The report also said"China is already ahead of the United States in certain areas," such as "shipbuilding," "land-based conventional ballistic and cruise missiles," and "integrated air defense systems."  it's an old trick to ask for a big budget, because when Congress learns that "China is doing better than the US, they will get nervous and pass the budget easily."     https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1199731.shtml

◆  The Hill, 9-3-2020: Taiwan needs to take advantage of asymmetric defense options, using its natural urban and mountainous terrain to deter Chinese attack, and Small, mobile and lethal systems such as Stinger surface-to-air missiles, Javelin anti-tank missiles, naval mines, and unmanned underwater vehicles, in conjunction with Taiwan’s indigenous HF-3

https://thehill.com/opinion/international/514481-how-taiwan-with-us-assistance-can-deter-chinas-overt-aggression

Taiwan military   vs.   China military

assessments    
New York times,  8-30-2020:  Lawmaker said Taiwan’s military needs to improve a lot
 Forbes, 8-30-2020: Taiwan simply does not have enough firepower to  defeat a Chinese invasion without the help of the U.S. military
　

 ( soldiers, officials )

◆  Taiwan began to phase out mandatory conscription for all young men, which was deeply unpopular, in favor of an all-volunteer force; 4 months of compulsory service ... training is "insufficient to meet the challenges posed by the increasing threat (RAND, '17)  /  New York times,  8-30-2020  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/30/world/asia/taiwan-china-military.html

◆   Only 310 thousands out of 770 thousands of qualified reservists were called up for short-term military training, from 2015 to 2017, 61 thousands of those escaped the duty  / Formosa TV news, 8-3-2018, storm.mg 10-15-2019
◆  only 84,000 are demobilised volunteer force soldiers, the best-trained and most motivated group  /   Financial Times, 7-12-2020

◆  Taiwan’s military is also not in the most optimal state.  For instance, Taiwanese males serve only four months of conscripted military service, in comparison to over 20 months for Singaporean men and at least 18 months for South Korean men.  /   Hong Kong Free Press 7-15-2020

◆  a weirdo strategy:  Facing PLA's attacks, Taiwan's warplanes stay inside tunnels, warships leave Taiwan, once the US military comes to Taiwan's rescue, they will return and join the war  / Apple Daily, 8-14-2020 tw.appledaily.com/headline/20200814/KDQ5JJAYQUR5JLE6EIIXK5VJM4/

firepower

◆  Today China has more and better conventional forces than Taiwan.   /  Forbes, 6-3-2020

◆  China has ｎｕｃｌｅａｒ　ｂｏｍｂ ，Neutron bomb， hydrogen bomb, Taiwan has none of those. / Next TV news, 5-8-2020
◆   Three Taiwanese presidents Lee (李登輝後期)、Chen(陳水扁)、Tsai(蔡英文)  squandering those "bonus for peace" military budget and underestimating the demand of national defense, lead to shortage of arms-deal budget.  /   United Daily , editorial,  6-6-2020
◆  Taiwan military strength is ranked No. 26 ,  China PLA No. 3  /  Global FirePower, 2020
◆  A major obstacle is that countries that might sell it the most sophisticated weaponry are increasingly reluctant to do so for fear of provoking China, ... /  New York times,  11-4-2017

military logistics system

      /  Foreign Policy, 8-20-2020 
◆  Taiwan  lacks enough supplement of all items of military equipments /   United Daily (聯合報 社評), opinion,   5- 7- 2020

 morale

◆  Policies put forward by the Kuomintang and the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party have left the military understaffed and in a state of low morale... /  New York times,  5-18-2017
◆ Taiwan fears uptick in military threat from China in wake of coronavirus epidemic ... / Financial Times  5-19-2020

combat experience

discipline

budget

◆ Taiwan would increase Taiwan’s defense budget by 10 percent, on top of a 5 percent increase the year before. That would raise military spending to more than 2 percent of gross domestic product   /  New York times,  8-30-2020

ps

News: ◆ Express UK, 9-18-2020: China crackdown: US to make HUGE weapons deal with Taiwan as WW3 fears soar ◆ Newsweek, 9-19-2020: U.S. Slams China's 'Aggressive, Destabilizing' Military Actions During Taiwan Visit ◆ Bloomberg, 9-18-2020: Eighteen Chinese military aircraft  rarely crossed the median line amid U.S. envoy visit  ◆ Express, 9-11-2020:  China' s  'provocative' military drill was carried out on the Taiwanese side of what is known as the median line of the Taiwan Strait...  Taiwan holds emergency meeting  ◆  Reuters, 9-10-2020: China over large-scale air and naval drills off its southwestern coast, a serious provocation and a threat to international air traffic ◆ National Interest, 8-28-2020: Could China Successfully Blockade Taiwan?  China hopes direct action will yield clean and swift results, letting it present Asia, America, and the world a fait accompli — a done deal ◆ CNN, 9-3-2020:  a forcible takeover of Taiwan could be a bad bet for Xi either way -- US help or not   ◆  Wall Street Journal 8-30-2020: Fearing Hong Kong’s Fate, Taiwan Moves to Bolster Its Military Against China  ◆ Forbes, 8-24-2020: China Can Capture Taiwan In Three Days, Say Former U.S. Officials ◆ US Defense Gov., annual Report to US Congress, 9-1-2020: The PRC appears willing to defer the use of military force as long as it considers that unification with Taiwan could be negotiated over the long-term and the costs of conflict outweigh the benefits ◆ Forbes, 9-2-2020: Even though the likelihood of that ( invasion of Taiwan) happening remains low, the report (US Defense) shows that the military balance in the Taiwan Strait is stacked firmly in China's favor  ◆  VOA, 8-21-2020:  a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan... could happen as early as next year... the Trump administration has been taking a very strong stand on China in recent months, there have been no moves from the administration to suggest it is preparing to do away with strategic ambiguity... Joseph Biden:  the U.S. has not been obligated to defend Taiwan ... There is a huge difference between reserving the right to use force and obligating ourselves, a priori, to come to the defense of Taiwan  ◆  SCMP, 8-21-2020:  There is disturbing evidence that US President Donald Trump considers relations with Taiwan expendable in the context of a deal he could make with China ◆ Daily Express, 8-13-2020:  World War 3: China 'ready' for conflict with US over Taiwan row ... Peking University Bo: there could be parties with the US military aiming to create a small-scale and “controllable” conflict with their Chinese counterparts  ◆  Foreign Policy, 8-20-2020: Suicide reveals Taiwanese army dangerously unprepared for Chinese invasion ◆ Newsweek, 8-31-2020: "recognition" of the island's government, would very likely trigger a long-threatened military reaction from Beijing that could envelop the PRC, the United States and Taiwan in a devastating nuclear war ... Most important, the United States should abandon the policy of "strategic ambiguity"  ◆ Bloomberg, 8-20-2020:  The danger of a Chinese assault on Taiwan is growing. And the U.S., which has an ambiguous security commitment to Taipei, might well lose if it joined such a war on Taiwan’s behalf ◆ Global Times, 8-31-2020:  US intends to force China to 'fire first shot' over Taiwan ◆ Guardian, 8-18-2020: The increasingly assertive behaviour from China suggests that Beijing’s options to annex Taiwan are shrinking ◆ N.Y. Times, 8-17-2020:  U.S. Tries to Bolster Taiwan’s Status, Short of Recognizing Sovereignty ◆  Asia Times, 8-18-2020: China’s ultimate fear is US recognition of Taiwan’s de facto sovereignty, which if granted would almost certainly place the two superpowers on an armed collision course  ◆ Washington Post 8-17-2020: so far, our words and sanctions have been cost-free, if this confrontation were to move to the next level, would we be ready ? ◆ Straits Times, 8-17-2020: Taiwan's tightrope walk between US and China ◆ Daily Express, 8-15-2020: CHINA will look to punish Taiwan after the US Health Secretary, Alex Azar, visited this week and will eventually "invade" the state, "The Chinese will seek to punish Taiwan because they can’t punish Americans" ◆ Politico,  L.A. Time, 8-10-2020: ... appear to show how the Trump administration is willing to defy Beijing’s threats and promote an alternative to Chinese Communist Party authoritarianism   ◆  NY Times, 8-9-2020: There are concerns that as the U.S. election approaches, the Trump administration — which has sought to rally opposition to China as Mr. Trump trails in the polls — could make an overture toward Taiwan that it can’t easily walk back  ◆  The Week (UK) , Yahoo News , 8-9-2020 : FT  isn't sure how serious President Trump is about supporting Taiwan and predicted he could back down if things with China really get heated, leaving the island vulnerable. "If I were Beijing, I would be asking myself: 'If the U.S. gives us a justification to attack Taiwan, what are the odds that he will change is pattern of cutting and running?" ◆ New Zealand Herald, 8-9-2020: Tension reaching boiling point! Beijing mobilises invasion craft along coast,  satellite images reportedly show amphibious armoured vehicles and mobile missile launchers massing at military bases near the island nation...series of "combat readiness" exercises over the disputed South China Sea, with combat aircraft and naval vessels...  ◆ Foreign Policy 8-7-2020:  Some hawkish voices in Washington have even suggested arming Taiwan with nuclear weapons... Instead, the US should urgently provide additional conventional military aid to address the dangerous shift .  ◆ National Interest, 8-6-2020:  the odds are uncomfortably high that the U.S. forces would be defeated in a war with China over Taiwan. What’s worse, even achieving a tactical victory could result in a devastating strategic loss.  If China committed all-out to seize Taiwan, then it could accomplish its objective in a finite time period, measured in days to weeks.   ◆  Washington Post, 7-22-2020: in January 2019, Xi offered an ultimatum to Taiwan to come to the table for unification talks or face annexation by force. But as a precondition for talks, China demanded that Tsai acknowledge the “one China” principle...  Inside China, the government has faced growing calls from hawkish military pundits and nationalist commentators to grasp the current strategic window to seize Taiwan   ◆  Bloomberg 7-20-2020:  Beijing is no doubt waiting to see the outcome of the U.S. presidential election before taking any more significant actions.     ◆ Financial Times 7-12-2020:  (Taiwan) Politicians are afraid to discuss these issues (reservists) with the public because they believe our people are not willing to sacrifice ...  www.ft.com/content/92029f49-3e9a-47b7-b967-2af823f185cd           More news ? ... click !
　

FOCUS  Taiwan's  reservists

★    Financial Times (UK), 7-12-2020

★     Foreign Affairs, 7-8-2020   Is Taiwan the Next Hong Kong?   China Tests the Limits of Impunity

        ◆    The Pentagon should further assist Taiwan’s military in reforming its reserve and mobilization systems, which are critical to the institution’s long-term strength 
                https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/east-asia/2020-07-08/taiwan-next-hong-kong

★    Hong Kong Free Press, 7-15-2020:  Taiwan’s military is also not in the most optimal state. For instance, Taiwanese males serve only four months of conscripted military service, in comparison to over 20 months for Singaporean men and at least 18 months for South Korean men.  The short length of time means it is difficult to learn much beyond basic training.

。https://hongkongfp.com/2020/07/15/security-law-taiwan-must-be-wary-it-could-be-the-next-target/
　

★   "寰宇全視界", 9-3-2020: Guest professor advocates restoring conscription, however, this will offend youngsters, and enlisting system is a rarely-seen consensus on Taiwan.  Aanother professor notes the US suggests the number of Taiwanese active force needs at least 220 thousands, but at this moment only 180 thousands.

media

analysis & comments (brief)

US

7-17-2020

。https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/taiwan-conducts-major-annual-military-exercise-amid-rising-china-tensions-n1234023 

 7-16-2020

 7-16-2020

F-16 and domestically made Ching-kuo fighter jets launched strikes and tanks raced across inland scrub, firing shells to destroy targets on the beach.
China is adding advanced equipment such as stealth fighters and new ballistic missiles.

 7-16-2020, 7-21-2020

 The military mishap during the Han Kuang drills indicates that Taiwan's most important war games are becoming increasingly unrealistic. It also shows a widening military gap across the Taiwan Straits.

"China could use missile attacks and precision air raids against air defence systems, including air bases, radar sites, missiles, space assets, and communications facilities to degrade Taiwan's defences, neutralise Taiwan's leadership, or break the Taiwan people's resolve," ...

aljazeera news said at May 3, 2019  that much of China's military doctrine is focused on self-ruled Taiwan,

China might take if Beijing decides to use military force on Taiwan, including a comprehensive campaign "designed to force Taiwan to capitulate to unification, or unification dialogue.

The Liberty Times suggests Taiwan taking "asymmetric warfare".   Apple Daily (headline news) 5-4-2019 said that the possibility of the blockade or a limited war by PLA is smaller than that of air raid, rockets, or amphibious landing.  (see pic. right)

usni.org said at 2019/05/03 that Taiwan is the primary focus of amphibious assault and sea-based missile launch capability improvements made in 2018 by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the PLA Navy and PLA Marine Corps.

●  FEARS soar                     ●                                                                                       

     Express (UK), 6-3-2020: South China Sea warning: All-out war fears erupt as Beijing rejects Taiwan peace plan.   Express (UK) 6-10-2020: South China Sea crisis ― Taiwan invasion fears soar.  Mr. Hunt, the former Foreign Secretary (UK), warned China abandoned "peaceful" plans to reunify with Taiwan and may be on the verge of deploying military action against the neighbouring country as tensions erupt in the hotly contested South China Sea. ( https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1290665/South-china-sea-latest-news-taiwan-war-beijing-jeremy-hunt-uk-hong-kong-protest )    express.co.uk  5-30-2020:  Fears of total war as China repeats threat to INVADE neighbouring Taiwan.  Financial Times  5-19-2020 : Taiwan fears uptick in military threat from China in wake of coronavirus epidemic, with increasingly frequent incursions into airspace traditionally respected as a safety buffer zone.   Taipei was at additional risk from the escalating dispute between the US and China.  https://www.ft.com/content/3a3a4235-3c4c-4a55-80e6-2a584960583d  The SUN, UK,  5-25-2020: ...  the first time China's new aircraft carriers deploy together for the first time and the move has sparked fears in Taiwan of a possible invasion of its Pratas islands - which could then be used as a staging point for an attack on the mainland.  The New York Times at 11-4-2017 noted that Taiwan’s historical advantages ( geography and the US support )  in deterring a potential attack has been “eroded or negated” in that Chinese military is "more potent". 

News: ◆ Apple Daily 8-23-2020: China's warplane was suspected to cross the Taiwan Strait "median line" ◆ N.Y. Times, 8-15-2020: Beijing continues to take a tough stance on Taiwan, but is dialing down its belligerence to avoid provocative moves that might give President Trump more opportunities to attack ◆ Newsweek 8-13-2020: U.S. Military Defends Moves Near Taiwan, China Sends Forces to 'Safeguard' Territory  ◆ Asia Times, 8-12-2020: US doubles down on Taiwan ties to poke China  ◆ Guardian, 8-11-2020:  China sent fighter jets over a de facto border separating the two rivals in the Taiwan Strait shortly before Azar met with President Tsai Ing-wen  ◆ AFP, 8-10-2020: Military might is no guarantee of victory -- ... NATO forces in Afghanistan for two decades. Taiwan assesses ... safe in the knowledge that defending an island is far easier than taking it. ◆ Telegraph, 8-6-2020:  China accused of deploying more amphibious weapons to eastern coast as tensions with Taiwan rise ◆ CNN, 8-5-2020:  Taiwan has emerged as one of the focal points of the escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing   ◆  Sunday Guardian, 8-2-2020: The Quad must strengthen and support Taiwan ◆  Daily Express (UK)  7-21-2020:  WAR will break out between China and the US in the South China Sea if Beijing violates the alliance agreement between America and Taiwan  ◆  TIME, 7-22-2020: President Xi Jinping pursues an increasingly assertive foreign policy, leading to speculation he may attempt a military confrontation in the region ◆  Tokyo Review 7-25-2020:  Taiwan is where Japan would have to draw the line◆ Washington Examiner, 7-22-2020:　Beijing might try to seize one of the smaller outlying islands in the straits, as a way to force Taiwanese leaders to choose between risking a major conflict and conceding the territory to China’s control  ◆  Express (UK) 7-15-2020: China threat: Beijing plotting massive territorial gains ...  poses a major challenge for NATO, with Taiwan a looming flashpoint    ◆ New York Times, 6-21-2020:  It’s a quite deliberate Chinese strategy to try to maximize what they perceive as being a moment of distraction and the reduced capability of the United States to pressure neighbors  ◆  FoxNews, 6-23-2020: (US) Navy brings massive carrier power to Taiwan Strait, SCS    ◆  Express (UK) 6-23-2020:  FEARS of a World War 3 have been ignited once again ... China: US warships have repeatedly trespassed into Chinese territorial and crossed the Taiwan Straits...   ◆  Express, 7-2-2020:  China’s grand expansion plan laid bare as Taiwan told: ‘You’re next!’   ◆  Express (UK), 6-12-2020: World War 3  alert /  a Chinese military plane crossed an unofficial airspace boundary in Taiwan Strait after a missile-intercept drill ... Taiwan sovereignty regarded by int'l community as a major potential flashpoint  ◆  Express (UK) 6-13-2020: China WW3 threat: Beijing military insider exposes how war could soon break out with US  ◆  Express (UK) 6-16-2020 23:08 Tue :  US and China naval vessel nearly collide escalating ‘conflict risk in South China Sea’  ◆   Express (UK) , 6-17-2020:  World War 3: China preparing for 'military struggle' as Taiwan row intensifies ◆ New York Times, Reuters, etc  6-23-2020: Taiwan raps China for military activity, says it should fight virus instead.  Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang told reporters that "Thanks for China's flattering and praise"  ("太抬舉我了") after China making the remarks "Su viciously attacked the mainland, attempted to stir up confrontation across the Strait, and deliberately confused 'Taiwan independence' and Taiwan" (CGTN 6-22-2020).  https://nationalpost.com/pmn/health-pmn/taiwan-raps-china-for-military-activity-says-it-should-fight-virus-instead ◆   Reuters 6-18-2020: Chinese fighter jets buzz Taiwan again, stoking tensions  ◆  Voice of America, Taiwan News, 6-18-2020: A former U.S. defense official told VOA that last week's flight by a U.S. Navy aircraft showed the U.S. does not consider Taiwan to be part of Chinese territory.  ◆ Japan's Nikkei Asian Review (The Nihon Keizai Shimbun) 6-20-2020 : J10 approached Taiwan ... a sign of rising cross-strait tensions as the island deepens its relationship with the U.S. ...  on the alert for an unintended military clash ◆  Reuters 6-19-2020:  China's air force approached Taiwan on Friday for the fourth time in four days,  as China steps up manoeuvres near the island.  ◆  Taiwan News, 6-18-2020: Former national security adviser wrote that Trump often downplayed US commitments to Taiwan  ◆  Daily Sabah (Turkey), 6-22-2020: Chinese air force including at least one bomber and J10 jet approach Taiwan (ps: 6 times within 7 days since 6-16)  ◆  CGTN 6-22-2020:  China's The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council: it ( the use of force ) is targeted at the interference by external forces and a very small number of separatists and their secessionist activities。 ◆  Newsweek, 6-22-2020: China, Taiwan protest Jappan's renaming islands area in East China Sea ◆ Voice of America, 6-24-2020:  China Sends 8 Military Planes into Taiwan Airspace. They’re not Targeting just Taiwan ( ps: targeting the US )  ◆ South China Morning Post  6-24-2020: Risk of military conflict between US and China higher than ever...  ◆  Voice of America, 6-24-2020, 6-25-2020: China Sends 8 military Planes into Taiwan’s Airspace Seen as Warning to US  https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/chinese-planes-in-taiwan-s-airspace-seen-as-warning-to-us/5475955.html  ( Taiwan's Apple Daily, 6-25-2020:  Chinese military planes approached US p/3c anti-submersible aircraft  receiving fuel from KC-135 "Stratotanker" near Taiwan’s Airspace (quoted by United Press International, 6-25-2020 );  FTV 6-24-2020: another possibility is US planes crossed air defense zone ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce3UM2P6nPc   )
　

 Alex Azar’s trip , the highest-ranking visit by a U.S. official to Taiwan in decades

U.S. Health Chief Arrives In Taiwan At Nadir In Washington-Beijing Ties

  ◆    Chinese authorities slammed the US for sending a military transport aircraft over the island of Taiwan and urged the US side to abide by the three joint communiqués between China and the US.  China reacted angrily about Taiwan (DPP) colluded with foreign forces to violate China's sovereignty and security, actively sabotaged peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, and brought calamity to safety and the well-being of people on the island.

pic.: At 6-9-2020, a US Navy (C-40A) is flying over West coast line of Taiwan before heading to Dongsha Island in South China Sea (red-line on pic., green land on left side is China mainland).

◆ New Zealand Herald, 6-15-2020: the US Navy flight was an overt signal of support for Taiwan is likely, especially given China's recent major military exercises close to its borders.

◆ The Drive,  6-9-2020: ( The US action ) "was almost sure to draw some form of rebuke from authorities in Beijing"

◆ NHK Japan, 6-12-2020: Some analysts in Taiwan say the administration of US President Donald Trump conducted the military flight to demonstrate its policy of working with Taiwan.

◆ News Australia, 6-14-2020: Chn. : can also be seen as a de facto joint military drill ...
　

◆ FocusTaiwan 6-9-2020: the C-40A's flight course as "rare" because the U.S. military usually operates only in international waters or airspace around Taiwan. "the Clipper's route took it through actual Taiwanese airspace, where U.S. military aircraft generally don't venture"

◆ China Times, 6-10-2020: The purpose of the US is riling China,  testing the waters and arm Wrestling.   The tacit understanding (Chinese military never respond US particular mission in public ocean) between Chn. and US was  broken since then.
◆ Express (UK), 6-12-2020: Chn. lashes out at 'provocation' after US plane enters Taiwan airspace which contravens international law.

◆ https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1191355.shtml

◆ https://udn.com/news/story/10930/4623423

◆ https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200612_01/

https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202006090013

Once CCP strike on Taiwan
   US state secretary Pompeo's response

https://www.miragenews.com/secretary-pompeo-with-sean-spicer-of-newsmax-tv-s-spicer-co/   Australia's authoritative media platform based on firsthand sources

   QUESTION: Will the U.S. back Taiwan should China go into Taiwan? 

  https://www.miragenews.com/secretary-pompeo-with-maria-bartiromo-of-fox-news-sunday-morning-futures/