South China Sea and China (2011-2017)

[Dayuhan]

As to Taiwan, it is part of China.

Isn't that for the Taiwanese to decide? Self-determination and all that?

I have long seen Taiwan as the flashing red cape that the Chinese Matador waves at the young, strong, American bull.

In a sense yes, and they also flash it at their own people: using an external issue to promote nationalism and patriotism and distract from domestic shortcomings is by no means a new tactic. For that reason among many others, I very much doubt that the current Chinese political dispensation has any desire to try and forcibly reclaim Taiwan.