Hacker News Reader

I actually think this is a golden opportunity to recognise Taiwan. The PRC isn't ready to invade - Russia's performance has them doing some soul-searching, which will ultimately result in a stronger military, but right now they're on the back foot. The Chinese economy is struggling for various reasons and export restrictions are already in the air, making this a particularly bad time for them to start a trade war.

View on HN

Please, take a look at a map will you? Taiwan is tiny compared to the Ukraine, China could bomb the island into oblivion in a day. With all the problems China currently has, I have little faith they'd just sit there and do nothing if Taiwan declared independence. In fact this can easily be used to unite the population because you have an external problem, common enemy, and suddenly the economy tanking isn't that important anymore. It would be the end for Taiwan and suck hard for the rest of the world. And with the Russian invasion still going on at the same time, it could very well bring us another step closer to nukes being used. I just watched Dr. Strangelove again and it felt very different that time.

Taiwan is an island and added to that the terrain is a hell for an invasion (mountains, many rivers to cross...). Ukraine is mostly flat, has a very long border with Russia / Belarus. Taiwan is way more defensible than Ukraine.

Ceasing the moment can avoid so much pain later. We had time before NK originally got nukes to negotiate a deal with Deng era China which would have involved a two prong invasion and giving north korea up to become a Chinese puppet state. A Chinese puppet would be infinitely better than what they have going on right now, and the folks in south Korea would sleep much more soundly.

I'm glad to see the US appearing to cease the moment similarly here.

"seize the moment"

Phone autocorrect got me! Carpe Diem

Reply on news.ycombinator.com