Are Bush & Co. backing down from China?
 

In 2001, Bush pledged to do whatever it takes to defend Taiwan. But that was 3.5 years ago, and a lot has changed since then. The US military is stretched as it is with the Iraq situation. So now here we are in 2004, and on October 25, while in Beijing, Colin Powell stated that "There is only one China. Taiwan is not independent. It does not enjoy sovereignty as a nation, and that remains our policy, our firm policy."

China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and has threatened to invade if the island formally declared statehood.

Questions:

1. Are Bush & Co. backing down from big bad China?

2. Would congress even support a war against China in the event that it invades Taiwan?

that's always been the policy, doesn't seem to be backing down.

The US agrees to sell Taiwan weapons and defend it, but it belongs to China :)

America is like a prostitute, who ever (country) offers the most money (self-interest), she will please him (the country) :glugglug

Would congress support armageddon?

*shrug* possibly.

Colin Powells statements weren't exactly consistent with America's policy towards Taiwan.

America has a history of avoiding making a clear statement that it recognizes China's claim over Taiwan.

i hope to all that is holy, bush just stays the fuck away from china

Yup, when China scooped Taiwan, it was no biggie to much of the world.

But when Iraq stepped into Kuwait...

Iraq was misled by the US and the Saudis to step into Kuwait

they are going to need more troops.. and guess where they are going to get them from??

I sure as hell hope so!

China is the ONLY country I fear going to war agaisnt. :2 cents:

yes it all belongs to china.

Don't panic.

Just keep shopping at the big box stores and you'll have nothing to worry about.

China and the US would never happen. A we'd destroy CHina with our supoerior air... and they don't have nearly as strong a navy as we do... now tell me how a country like china could defend its'elf with all that coastline and with no international suopprt?

China is helping keep America's dollar from collapsing by buying US bonds like crazy.. So maybe one could say China is secretly paying off our govt to look the other way?

Then again if war were declared they could renege on all the bonds sold to China..

didnt china express they couldnt handle half of our destroyer class subs, let alone anything else? Regardless, aint shit gonna happen

a whole bag of fun that just shouldnt be opened

Both countries would go bankrupt, end of story :(

whos talkin about bankrupt? People seem to think we would be fighting a foot war over there, IF it ever happened:1orglaugh

The weapons are pointing at China though :winkwink:

i don't think it will ever happen.. the two leaders will meet in the scheduled APEC in Chile and for sure both countries will back down:2 cents: :2 cents:

2004/11/10
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)



Chen is involved in a difficult bid to convince the island's legislature to approve buying an arms package worth 610 billion New Taiwan dollars (US$18 billion; euro 14.5 billion) from the United States.


Cha Ching!

Nov 9, 2004
Taiwan fights mock invasion
Taipei - TAIWAN'S army practised fending off a Chinese invasion force by staging a street battle for the first time yesterday.

Such a drill has only been simulated on computers in the past.

Some 1,600 servicemen were involved in the five-day drill codenamed 'Chang Sheng', or ever victory, with the main scenario of a Chinese landing and a Taiwanese unit rushing to repel it, an army officer said.

During the exercise, one group of soldiers forged its way northwards from Taiwan's southern Pingtung county to confront another group coming south from Taichung. They staged a mock battle across a bridge in the southern county of Tainan.

The two groups were identified by the colours red and blue, which traditionally represents the Chinese and Taiwan armies respectively.

But the army spokesman said that such roles were not specifically assigned for this exercise and denied media reports that the military had assumed the Chinese People's Liberation Army was forcing its way inland after making a successful landing in the south.

The manoeuvre came after Mr Joseph Wu, chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council, said that China was increasingly likely to take Taiwan by force.

Mr Wu, formerly a chief aide to President Chen Shui-bian, said that Taiwan must bolster its defence capabilities amid what he said is Beijing's growing hostility towards the island.

Beijing claims sovereignty over the island and has threatened to attack if it declares independence. Mr Chen says that Taiwan is a sovereign state and wants to buy more weapons from the US to boost defences against China.

Both sides have been increasing their military build-up to prepare for a possible war, with Taiwan estimating that China has pointed 610 missiles at the island and is increasing its arsenal by 50 to 75 missiles a year. -- REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE



They're already preparing for the worse.

Would congress even support a war against China in the event that it invades Taiwan?

Sure ! Anything to fight Al-Qaeda :)