The US and China have been at odds, especially over the situation with Taiwan, a nation China claims is part of the mainland. However, fears of world war have been raised following a former Australian general’s warning that the two countries may engage in military conflict should China take over Taiwan by force.
Speaking on Sky News Australia, retired Major General and Liberal Senator Jim Dolan warned that the US and China might engage in military conflict if China attempts to forcibly take control of Taiwan. Dolan explained that China’s looking to take over Taiwan either in a peaceful matter or through force. However, the attempt of doing so would not be that simple as there are other factors involved for China to succeed.
“In order to do it they have to take down Guam – if you listen to the Indo-Pacific US Commander, 300,000 men,” said Dolan. “They have to take down Guam and they have to negate US bases in Japan. To me, that sounds like a very big war.”
Dolan went on to warn that Australia may get caught in the crossfire between the two countries should it happen. The former military official suggested that China may try and attack Australia through means of naval blockades, cyber attacks, and missiles. Despite having enough firepower in its arsenal, Dolan says that the US “is not convinced that it can win this war.”
However, the US, Australia, and Taiwan are not the only nations that have tensions with China. India and Japan also have ongoing disputes with the communist nation as well as other neighboring countries in the continent. Author and political commentator Gordon Chang claimed that China is driving the US, Japan, India, and Australia to band together in case of a possible world war.
Speaking with Express, Chang said that China is driving the four countries to band together over China’s aggression in the disputed South China Sea. Chang also noted that China’s current conflict with Australia over its support for Taiwan’s independence is one possible trigger even if China declaring war over Australia appears unlikely to happen.