Beijing has been steadily increasing its military power for years to achieve its ambitious goal of reunifying Taiwan with mainland China, forcing democracy to submit to an autocratic regime.
This is reported by the Telegraph, citing American military analysts. Two experts, Andrew Erickson and Gabriel Collins, assert that China has undertaken "the most dramatic military buildup" in history, and its army is nearing the capability to conduct a large-scale operation in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan, for its part, hopes for U.S. assistance, but there are growing doubts about whether Americans can respond swiftly to a Chinese invasion.
"The clock is ticking for Taiwan. Taiwan must tirelessly prioritize its defense where it matters most," emphasize Erickson and Collins.
One of the main concerns is that Beijing may take advantage of a moment when the U.S. is experiencing an internal political crisis or during Donald Trump's presidency, characterized by an isolationist approach and a tendency to sympathize with dictatorial regimes.
Experts note that Taiwan should focus on building an effective air defense system, coastal artillery, and procuring mines, anti-ship missiles, and drones. Such measures are relatively inexpensive and can help maintain the island's independence. If China imposes a blockade on Taiwan, external arms supplies will be impossible.
Military analysts emphasize that even under the most optimistic scenario, the presence of "strong American support" seems unlikely. Taiwan must rely primarily on its own forces and resources to withstand potential aggression from China.
Source: telegraph.