How China Is Upgrading Its Air Bases to Prepare for War With Taiwan | WSJ

Air bases along China’s southeastern coast have undergone significant infrastructure upgrades in recent years. Analysts say these changes are a sign of Beijing’s preparations for a conflict over Taiwan.

WSJ explores how China has been upgrading its air bases to strengthen military capabilities, and what challenges that poses for Taiwan and its allies.

Chapters:
0:00 China improving military bases
0:54 Purpose of base upgrades
1:41 UAVs and jet fighters
2:57 Hardened shelters
4:43 Air defense unit
5:41 Challenges for Taiwan and the U.S.

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#China #Taiwan #WSJ

[nitishkalita]

Too many China-Taiwan geopolitical experts in the comments (they also used to be Israel-Palestine experts a month ago, Ukraine-Russia experts a year ago and covid experts 3 years ago)

[kevinjenner]

China’s recent history of illegal wars, occupations, regime change, and proxy wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, are indeed a cause for concern.

[Questioneverything]

Dear YouTube, we don’t watch the ads, we look at the time instead waiting to skip

[Namkify]

People like to forget to mention, that China dosnt just claim Taiwan, they're still in a Civil War.

[HeheLife]

You may not know this: After the Chinese Civil War broke out, the Kuomintang was defeated and fled to Taiwan Island. To this day, the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the Taiwanese National Army have not signed an armistice agreement.
Simple understanding: China’s civil war is not over yet

[irwan]

China beefing up its air base is not for war with Taiwan but with the US if it physically involves in times of conflict with Taiwan

[lukejamesquinn]

The media is going to make this war happen with headlines like this everyday

[JoHn-gilb]

It's good to see that the comment section is full of military experts on this subject lol

[applec.]

I have to ask, what is wrong with upgrading your own Air Bases? Every country is strengthening its own defense capabilities. Why not ask yourself, why US’s military spending is more than the total of all countries combined?

[KarelSmout]

To my best knowledge beefing up military airfields on your own soil is not all that uncommon. I'd even call it common sense. I would be more worried if a nation would reinforce it's military assets abroad. Like, for instance, ehm...

[Trgn]

How US built 800 military and air bases all over the globe. Many surrounding Russia and China

[flyingbanana]

Latest on WSJ…

“China upgrades public bathroom to get ready for war.”

“China buys fresh seafood to get ready for war.”

“China opens first McDonald near the coast to get ready for war.”

😂😂😂

[magnaviator]

Hmm, what part of China hasn't seen infrastructure upgrade in recent years? It's like saying a cat is furry.

[MarkChen-eq]

China has a history of 5, 000 years of military struggle and has accumulated rich combat experience. Since the founding of New China, it has never lost a foreign war, including the Korean War between 1vs17 countries. For the first time in history, the United States was forced to sign an armistice agreement. They cited The proud First Division of the Army was completely wiped out, and MacArthur's promise to return before Christmas was in vain; in fact, China has never actively invaded other countries or interfered in other countries' internal affairs, and the United States has never fought against a country of equal strength. A total war (including the Korean War, because at that time the People's Republic of China had just been founded one year ago and its equipment was 50 years behind the times. It relied entirely on perseverance, faith and excellent physical fitness to win), and the United States has hardly stopped for a few years since its founding. Through foreign wars, because this is their source of obtaining and plundering resources, and it is also an important way to divert domestic conflicts. This is typical hegemonism. He will never understand the idea of a "community with a shared future for mankind" proposed by China!

[mauisstepsis]

Talking Chinas defense on it's own soil like a threat to national security is just funny😂

[frankwetzel]

How many "upgraded" US Airbases surround China? In all those military allies of the USA surrounding China since many decades. How many Chinese Airbases surround the USA? To get a reasonable and balanced report this figures should also be in this report.

[elkiddo]

Isn't that something the US does all the time? We are always upgrading military infrastructure, weapons systems etc. I expect China to arm up simply because of the horrific treatment it has received from Britain and the US. It wasn't long ago that Britain was addicting China to opium by force. US stood by and didn't say a thing. Karma does happen and now we have asked China to restrict sending fentanyl making materials to the Cartel. It wasn't until China was under Mao Tse Tung that it became strong enough to ward off the Brits. That was when Taiwan was taken away from China illegaly. Not that the US is very good at complying with International law. Perhaps if the USA was not beligerant, China would not have to arm itself such. Like Israel, China has the right to defend itself.
The real threat to the US is the US itself. 20 years ago I learned that China has around 700k students in universities all over the world, the US has around 70k, Mexico has 65K. I'm sure this has not changed. China is playing the long game. It's taken our government around 20 years to figure this out. Better make our colleges and universities free because the 'no college' philosophy championed by Republicans will cede our lead. Our response of course is to be beligerent, Claim that China has stolen our technology, this considering that US Corporations moved manufacturing (our jobs) to China, we somehow blame China for that. Last year China led the world in patents awarded. I'm sure we're stealing Chinese technology.
The PAX Americana has been challenged. No one, no country can edict truth. China has raised hundreds of millions of its citizens out of poverty. Can that be said about the US? The writing is on the wall.

[nieljosephpalca]

In the future, Taiwan will likely lose air superiority simply by relying mostly on conventional fighters and other aircraft. That is why it is very important for Taiwan to focus more on layered ground-based air defense systems for a prolonged air denial. Plus when it comes to the ROC navy, it would be better to focus on submerged platforms (standard diesel-electric submarines, midget submarines, and UUVs, naval mines) and mobile land-based anti-ship missile systems.

[manuelmora]

Is this a Criticism against China Bases? Because we should start criticising the more than eight hundred American bases. And why are there

[valetudo]

Kevin Rudd (former AU PM) put it best when estimating China's timeline for Taiwan.

1. China would need to first insulate itself sufficiently from the damage of the global financial system (sanctions). This would include securing energy, food, and other commodities in RMB. Since Rudd first said this, we have seen them making strides in doing this with unilateral trade deals with Brazil, African countries, Arab nations, and more.

2. China would need to build up it's military to the point that they point that they are sure they would win.

They are working towards both of these goals but they have a long way to go and will need many years if it is to be achieved. Will they attack Taiwan? - That is probably the goal. Is it a sure bet and will it be soon? - Probably not