Just because China discovered its military has some serious weaknesses due to corruption doesn't mean China will refrain from pushing weaker neighbors to take their territory.
China tries subliminal war closer to home:
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) began aggressively challenging Taiwan’s jurisdiction over its outlying islands, especially Kinmen, in February 2024. Repeated Chinese Coast Guard incursions in Taiwan-controlled waters around Kinmen aim to normalize the PRC’s "law enforcement" jurisdiction in the area.
If Taiwan escalates to military actions to defend their islands, I don't know whether America would help Taiwan hold those islands. Would that break the defense ties? Or break China's fear of the defense ties? Or just break Taiwan's will to resist because they feel the shadow of death fall across the main island?
Taiwan and its allies need to win this war at the subliminal war level to prevent bad repercussions.
Because if it works there, China will apply it to the territory that China is clawing away from the Philippines in the South China Sea.
And maybe China decides it can test Taiwan and its allies by using its military to capture a small Taiwanese island. To really rub it in. Maybe Pratas Island, eh?
Hell, Russia should check their pucker factor.
Before going for the big prize, Taiwan.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
NOTE: I'm adding updates on the Last Hamas War in this post.NOTE: I'm now on Substack, with The Dignified Rant: Evolved.