Taiwan Name Change? China Furious

Chinese State Media Warns of 'Severe' Military Measures if Taiwan Office in U.S. Changes Name
AND Beijing Fires Long Range Missile Over Australia!

TIME MAG -- In China on Sunday, Sep 12, 2021, a state-run media outlet warned of "severe" military and economic consequences against Taiwan if Washington allows the self-ruled island to change the name of its representative office in the USA. Joe Biden's administration is considering allowing the office to change its name from the "Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office" (TECRO) to:

"Taiwan Representative Office."

NEWSWEEK: The Chinese paper warned such a change would seriously anger Beijing and provoke a "severe" military and economic response: "If the U.S. and the Taiwan island change the names, they are suspected of touching the red line of China's Anti-Secession Law, and the Chinese mainland will have to take severe economic and military measures to combat the arrogance of the U.S. and the island of Taiwan. At that time, the mainland should impose severe economic sanctions on the island and even carry out an economic blockade on the island, depending on the circumstances."

China Fires Nuclear-Capable Missile Directly Over Sydney Australia

10-2-21, Zero Hedge -- ​Though Australia doesn't officially recognize the self-ruled island, of Taiwan, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu appealed to leaders in Canberra Taiwan is preparing for war with China and urged its larger Indo-Pacific neighbor to help as follows:

"We would like to engage in security or intelligence exchanges with other like-minded partners, Australia included, so Taiwan is better prepared to deal with the war situation."

Wu said his nation will repel any coming attack, "The defense of Taiwan is in our own hands, and we are absolutely committed to that," he told ABC's Stan Grant. 

By Australian National Review
The bad relations between China and Australia took an unbelievable turn this week when China fired a “Long March 3B” nuclear-capable missile, directly over Sydney, Australia. Generally suited to launch space satellites, the firing of this missile, DIRECTLY OVER SYDNEY, was clearly meant to intimidate Australia, and comes on the heels of the announcement by Australia, the UK and the US of a new submarine program which will see Australia equipped with nuclear-propelled submarines. Had China merely intended to “test” a missile, it would have achieved space orbit long before ever reaching Australia.  The fact that it kept it’s relatively low altitude from launch inside China, all the way to Australia so it could be SEEN over Sydney, is proof that China meant it to intimidate. [..]
We are also informed that the US Navy has a major build-up of forces in the Philippines, including “more than one” aircraft carrier strike group.
​

Taiwan, has full diplomatic relations with only 14 out of 193 United Nations member states – as well as the Holy See – because China has urged its allies to refuse to recognize its legitimacy as an independent nation. The island also has its own constitution, democratically elected leaders and around 300,000 active troops. 

Beijing massively outguns Taiwan spending about 25 times more on its military. However, Taiwan has a defense pact with the US dating back to the 1954 Sino-American Mutual Defence Treaty, meaning the US could, in theory, be drawn into the conflict.

According to Forbes Mag: "Taiwan would be reliant on “natural defenses” – its rugged coastline and rough sea – with plans in place to “throw a thousand tanks at the beachhead” in the event of a Chinese land invasion that could result in “brutal tank battles.” 

​The Economist has called this a “test of America’s military might and its diplomatic and political resolve.” 

Should the US decide against intervention, “China would overnight become the dominant power in Asia” and “America’s allies around the world would know that they could not count on it”, the paper added. In other words, “Pax Americana would collapse.”

The Guardian said: "This means that the US could see its hand forced as “Joe Biden pivots US foreign policy towards a focus on the Indo-Pacific as the main arena for 21st-century superpower competition.”

Rocky said:  When China finally invades Taiwan, the U.S. and China will instantly be in a state of war, and everyone understands this. At one time the Chinese had hoped to peacefully “reunify” with Taiwan like they did with Hong Kong, but that is out of the picture now.
 
With feeble Joe Biden in the White House and with the American people deeply tired of wars, this may be the best chance that the CCP is going to get, and they certainly realize this. I'm fearful that the fuse has already been lit on this powder keg.

9-9-21, Denver Post reports on ninety minute telephone conversation Joe Biden had with China's president Xi. Apparently they discussed cyber security, Covid pandemic, human rights and climate change. No mention of Taiwan. But they spent time reminiscing about traveling together when they were both vice presidents. More here 

Distance from Canberra Australia to Taiwan: 4527 miles