How important is it to you to defend Taiwan from China?

[lightbulb27]

If China takes over in one way or another and you have to defend it?

Very, I'll risk my life when called

Important, we should send military, but not me or my family

Important change in power, but if they take it, it's not that big of a deal

Not that important

Other

[nightdrot]

Strategically, it is a vital American - and more generally Western - interest. The reassertion of Chinese control of Taiwan would, in effect, divide the Pacific between the north and south and preclude the projection of American power into the region. Suffice to add that, as World War II and the Korean War both amply demonstrated, the Asia/Pacific region is vital to both US economic and security interests.

The main problem from a Western perspective being that were China to regain control of Taiwan, it would have a land platform from which to project its' power across the Pacific - both naval and air assets - and separate Japan and South Korea to the north from Australia, New Zealand and Thailand to the south. These a re crucial US allies that assist the US in securing its' position along the Pacific Rim, as well as facilitating the projection of US power to the Asian mainland.

If China takes Taiwan, not only with the bridge between the north and south Pacific be broken, but the US Navy and Air Force would be forced to fight its' way across the region to deliver counterblows against China. Leaving aside the enormous costs in American blood and treasure that such a fight would entail - see World War II in the Pacific for a parallel scenario - but before such a war, China's diplomatic leverage in the whole of Asia would be wildly enhanced.

In a nutshell - the somewhat peculiar phrasing of this question notwithstanding - there are objective strategic, diplomatic and, taking into account the Taiwan's importance to the "microchip sector" of the global economy - and economic reasons for maintaining Taiwan's separation from China. That being the case, there is no doubt that Taiwan's defense is a vital Western interest and any move by Beijing against Taipei would likely precipitate a massive - likely global - military conflict.

Suffice to add that the construction of this question as a personal one is problematic. After all, how many individual Americans had an interest in fighting Japan in World War II - even after Pearl Harbor? Such matters have an historical, strategic and economic importance that transcends the individual's personal station.

[Julie4]

You raise an interesting point, which is that what is happening in Taiwan is not only important for the USA, but also for Westerners.

As a result, I wonder which Western army will be able to help the USA in the event of a conflict over Taiwan.

I'm afraid the answer to that question won't be very positive.

[lightbulb27]

great answer! yes, I personalize the issue because people have a vote and that could change the govt response to tensions. in general, the whole of the govt would defend.
What is the real issue htough... you say influence and chips. We are buildin the chip factory of TSMC in USA, so that's out. Their chip stuff could be destroyed and people moved. Isn't the issue money and inflation? e. g. the cost of goods.
if that is the case, USA govt wants inflation to print out way out of the debt issue, so it's a positive. It mean the cost of stuff from asia goes up, maybe way up. Then USA becomes more competitive and we onshore. Resources... yea, that may be a problem, but we have most everything we need minus rubber and metals.
this is the tension prior to WWI and WWII... do we engage or stay out of it. Current thinking is one sided only, we are the worlds police force. trouble is... we made china great again, once their navy is strong and space capability, it's a bad setup. 10-20yrs? that would push USA into a war before that happens... based upon your thinking.
That means my kids get sucked into a war...:(

[nightdrot]

@Julie4 Actually, my hunch is that if China invades Taiwan, Japan, Australia and New Zealand - and to a lesser extent because of its' position in relation to North Korea - South Korea would move to support the USA. Their interests demand it in an obvious way.

Repeat, take Taiwan and you break the link between South Korea and Japan in the north and Australia, New Zealand and Thailand in the south. Moreover, you give China a venue to project its' power outward. That is something that Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand - plus a few other states in the region - could not ignore.

Indeed, my hunch is that China has opted not to move so far because the effect would be to consolidate an alliance against it. Short of war, the situation is, in diplomatic terms, relatively fluid. All out war will force states to choose - and with their survival at stake, they are apt to coalesce against China.

[nightdrot]

Actually no, I do NOT say that chips and such are the key issue. To be sure, the West has economic investments in Taiwan. However, these pale in comparison to the strategic implications.

If China takes Taiwan, it not only splits Japan and South Korea from Australia and New Zealand, but it gives itself a platform to project its power against the USA. This making American intervention on behalf of its Pacific allies extremely dangerous if not problematic.

To be sure, at the moment, the USA is experiencing a populist phase that is lending itself to an isolationist sentiment in terms of foreign policy. However, the odds are - if history is any guide - that if US interests seem to be directly threatened, public opinion will rally.

To be sure, that is by no means assured. However, the USA has, with Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore binding treaty obligations. These carry, in the American system, the weight of law, and this means that, at a minimum, whatever the public opinion of the hour, the USA will have to act.

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

Very important to me if I have to defend Taiwan for whatever reason.

[lightbulb27]

I salute your bravery! Cheers

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

I'm not sure if I'm so brave but it seems like every single volunteer might be required in the case of an invasion. China has a relatively weak navy still to my understanding but an inexhaustible army. I'm assuming a very desperate scenario where every single person even remotely able to defend Taiwan is needed. I really don't want to do it but I'd feel ethically bound in that case.

[lightbulb27]

yes USA did not do so well in Vietnam or Korea and that was a land war. They have a lot of resources. Good point on navy, USA still has advantage, but that's a long ways to fight. don't think china wants a shooting war, but a "slow boiling of the frog". That said, the USA/West typically will instigate a fight to conclude the issue (WWII, Vietnam... not sure on Korea).
I don't see the necessity... wouldn't send my kid. I'd have to hear really good arguments as to why.

[ibodi]

I guess not important, There will be only decapitation strike to that politician. then done

They even let china save taiwanese in Cambodia. so now you know how they use Mao's way to whitewash now.

[Avicenna]

The US probably can't sustain a long war in that part of the world against Mainland China. Smart thing to do would be to move the Taiwanese semiconductor industry to the US.

[Dongie]

I hope they survive but I don't want our involvement with China.

[Anonymous]

Let someone else do it.

[lightbulb27]

not you? then whom?
Some people are ok witha fight... but are you willing to tell others to go die, that's my question? The question will arrise within next 10 years.

[Opinion Owner]

I’m not telling anyone to go fight.

[lightbulb27]

people you vote for might. choose wisely.

[Opinion Owner]

I'm voting for Trump. We didn't have any wars on his watch,