Could Chinese aggression in the South China Sea be the spark that ignites the next war?

This appeared in The Millennial Source

In a Department of Defense (DOD) Report published September 2 — titled, “ Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China “ — the United States warned of Beijing’s increasing military capability, including their possible willingness to take over Taiwan through military force.

China has imposed an iron-willed pressure campaign against Taiwan over the past 10 years that has only intensified since the 2016 election of Tsai Ing-wen as Taiwan’s president.

Due to Tsai’s election, China opted to halt formal communications with Taiwan and insisted that the self-ruled island must accept the “1992 Consensus,” a ruling stating that both mainland China and Taiwan belong to “one China” under Beijing’s sovereign.

According to the People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s 2019 defense white paper, the PRC aims to oppose and contain Taiwan independence, possibly by any means necessary.

Taiwan’s reunification

The comprehensive 200-page US Department of Defense report notes that China views Taiwan as one of its most eminent threats and that it has not renounced the use of military force for reintegration.