[Catfish]

Up to recently nuclear deterrence worked, so placing a few ballistic missiles on Taiwan directed at China might be a strong and appropriate answer. But the west is weak and will not do anything, also because we let China own a lot of our territory, and economy.

If anyone read chinese papers lately, they will use whatever they think will make China "great". Even if there is nucelar deterrence working there can be no doubt they will launch their missiles at the slightest felt advantage. Their party leaders and military absolutely do not care for their own people, human beings or civilians, let alone foreigners. The scientific advantage and "modern" look cannot hide that China is one of the worst dictatorships, and they now celebrate that their way is obviously superior to that of "the West". And who could blame them, with Trump or brexit, or the EU doing nothing.

And deterrence.. well. Just of all Russia is working hard to make a "local, "limited" nuclear strike "socially acceptable", internationally. China will not even be that reluctant.