The War That Did Not Happen

While we watch the Russians become our foe over a couple scraps of ex-Soviet territory, let's not forget the war that did not happen. China did not, in fact, invade Taiwan under cover of the Olympics. I saw preparations for war and figured that if I was in charge in Peking, I'd sacrifice the games for the island.

Don't be confused, however, about China's and Taiwan's lovefest. China is willing to politely accept Taiwan's surrender, but the surrender is the ultimate objective, as President Hu Jintao told us:

"No matter what kind of changes take place in the cross-Strait relations, our stance of adhering to the one-China principle and opposing 'Taiwan independence' secessionist activities will never change, and cannot be changed," Hu told U.S. President George W. Bush in Beijing.

As I wrote in Ready. Set. Go?

The Chinese are getting ready. They are getting set. When will they go?

China, in the end, valued their coming out party over using them to gain the element of surprise. But don't believe that taking Taiwan is any less important to the Chinese communists. When they make a play for Taiwan is the only question.