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The only reason PRC would invade Taiwan is if Washington started installing ICBM silos there. In which case they would just knock out that infrastructure with l
by pphysch 4y ago
The only reason PRC would invade Taiwan is if Washington started installing ICBM silos there. In which case they would just knock out that infrastructure with long-range strikes.
- cm2187 4y agoTaiwan is only 200km away from mainland china. You don't need ICBM.
- amelius 4y agoThey are more difficult to intercept, though.
- cm2187 4y agoThe thing with nukes is that unless you think you can intercept 100% of the missile with certainty, the deterrence is there. Particularly with China’s megacities.
- pphysch 4y agoChina is big
- cm2187 4y agoAll the cities and population are on the coast. You don't threaten to nuke a desert
- monkeydreams 4y ago> The only reason PRC would invade Taiwan is if Washington started installing ICBM silos there. That would be too late, by definition, for China to invade. The US would likely be very wary of letting their missiles fall into enemy hands. The PRC don't have a huge amount of time to take Taiwan. Their median age at 2020 was 37.5, their projected median age in 2030 is 42.7. For every two years that passes, their current demographic trajectory suggests their median age will grow by 1 year. Unless they wish to fight an "old man" war, with all the societal tensions that arise from essentially sending the only grandchild of four grandparents to their death+, then the PRC need to hurry up and take Taiwan to allow them the force projection into the deep pacific. Otherwise the Chinese century will be delayed another 100 years (or probably longer). +Or the only great-grandchild of eight great-grandparents