Pragmatically, China would not care whether anyone came to the Olympics or not. The main concern would be whether anything would be left of their military after they attacked Taiwan. The attack, successful or not, could put China out of business for decades. Their incoherent and confusing history would add yet another incoherent and confusing chapter as China collapsed from within to eventually two or four different countries, none of them able to rule Taiwan.
Agreed...my gut feeling is that China aren't going to rock the boat as long as their pride is left undamaged and they have prestige and cash. The worst danger for starting a war is an economic downturn, Taiwan arbitrarily declaring independence or anything else destabilising.
Wars for territorial control are so twentieth century. Why resort to them when you reap more through peaceful means...that said, if you want peace, prepare for war.
As to their subs, their current vessels aren't the great factor - the fact that they're developing a set of experienced submariners and beginning to build and buy the better Kilos is. An average sub in the hands of an experienced professional crew is more dangerous than a top notch sub in the hands of a green crew chosen for political reliability. When you consider the abysmal state they were in under Mao, the professionalism blossoming again in one generation is amazing.
well not sure about that. Have you seen the price of Rebar latley ? Some going to Iraq but most going to CHINA. for the olympics. This is their chance to show the world they have indoor plumbing. My bet is that the old gaurd dies off and the place goes hong kong ish