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But many do provide support "unofficially". And HK was already under "one country, two systems", while Taiwan is de facto independent even if the PRC claims it.

jonplackett 6y ago
They're just saying it's a worry. The point is if China decide to do this, there isn't anyone who can stop them.
- JohnJamesRambo 6y ago
  There will be quite a few people that stop them.
  - LunaSea 6y ago
    Like they did for Hong Kong?
    - MangoCoffee 6y ago
      HK doesn't have its own military. its a 99 yrs lease to UK that UK hand back. Taiwan's history is complicated. it have its own military. its people pay taxes to Taiwan, not China. Taiwan's safety is its own responsibility. its more than possible that China can take Taiwan by force but at what price. its not like Taiwan's military have no teeth.
    - Apocryphon 6y ago
      A Chinese takeover of Taiwan would be war between two advanced industrialized economies that is unprecedented in modern times since perhaps the end of WWII. It's not comparable to the PRC government reaffirming their dominance over territory they already had control over. At the very least, China would be hit with many sanctions in the event of such a conflict.
    - ClumsyPilot 6y ago
      Absurd comparison. HK was returned to China in accordance with a previously signed contract. After it became part of China again, it is not possible to interviene militarily in Beijing - HK relationship - that would be an invasion of China and violation of international law. You could not phisically station an army in HK. Even if China has violated an agreement with UK regarding HK autonomy, thay does not give you legal grounds to start a war. In cotrast, you could deploy the entire US military in Taiwan tomorrow, it would be legal and peacefull (provided Taiwanese Gov. Invited it). Additionally, invading Taiwan is actually extremely difficult because of terrain, just because you have a massive land army does not mean they can just teleport to Taiwan. It would be basically a D-day style effort against a well entrenched opponent. So it is unlikely we will see phisical takeover of Taiwan in the near future, as so far we have no indication that China is looming for a causualty heavy war with little gain.

jonplackett 6y ago

They're just saying it's a worry. The point is if China decide to do this, there isn't anyone who can stop them.

JohnJamesRambo 6y ago
There will be quite a few people that stop them.
- LunaSea 6y ago
  Like they did for Hong Kong?
  - MangoCoffee 6y ago
    HK doesn't have its own military. its a 99 yrs lease to UK that UK hand back. Taiwan's history is complicated. it have its own military. its people pay taxes to Taiwan, not China. Taiwan's safety is its own responsibility. its more than possible that China can take Taiwan by force but at what price. its not like Taiwan's military have no teeth.
  - Apocryphon 6y ago
    A Chinese takeover of Taiwan would be war between two advanced industrialized economies that is unprecedented in modern times since perhaps the end of WWII. It's not comparable to the PRC government reaffirming their dominance over territory they already had control over. At the very least, China would be hit with many sanctions in the event of such a conflict.
  - ClumsyPilot 6y ago
    Absurd comparison. HK was returned to China in accordance with a previously signed contract. After it became part of China again, it is not possible to interviene militarily in Beijing - HK relationship - that would be an invasion of China and violation of international law. You could not phisically station an army in HK. Even if China has violated an agreement with UK regarding HK autonomy, thay does not give you legal grounds to start a war. In cotrast, you could deploy the entire US military in Taiwan tomorrow, it would be legal and peacefull (provided Taiwanese Gov. Invited it). Additionally, invading Taiwan is actually extremely difficult because of terrain, just because you have a massive land army does not mean they can just teleport to Taiwan. It would be basically a D-day style effort against a well entrenched opponent. So it is unlikely we will see phisical takeover of Taiwan in the near future, as so far we have no indication that China is looming for a causualty heavy war with little gain.