The major factor that can bring these two superpowers into direct conflict is Taiwan.
The Chinese regime has constantly reiterated that within the next decade Taiwan will be integrated with the mainland, even if that is to be accomplished using coercion. 80% Of the Taiwan residents prefer the status quo, wherein they are not part of China.
In 2003 George Bush made unequivocally clear to the Chinse leadership that if China were to attack Taiwan, this would engender full scale military hostilities between the USA and China, because the the USA is committed by law to defend Taiwan against a Chinese invasion….
…How Likely Is A Military Confrontation Between The USA and China???
I forgot to mention that a Chinese general remarked a few years ago that if in the event the USA draws its missiles on Chinese territory, the Chinese will respond by nuclear weapons….
Not very, either way you cut it our two economies are too dependent on one another
Comment by Centurion529 — March 16, 2005 @ 8:40 pm
50/50…if you beileve Bible Prophecy it is 100 %
Comment by gandamack2 — March 18, 2005 @ 2:57 am
I’d say pretty freakin’ low.
Comment by evans_michael_ya — March 18, 2005 @ 4:20 pm
not such thing is truth…china is not powerful.
Comment by nena_en_austin — March 18, 2005 @ 11:03 pm
Not likely. Neither country is foolish enough to engage the other in all out war.
Comment by MajorTom — March 21, 2005 @ 11:31 pm
Not likely at all. Both of our economies are tied VERY closely together. A war with China would send both of our countries back 50 years, regardless of who wins. If China wins, the US will not be around for them to sell thier goods to. IF China goes away, who will finance our national debt and provide us with cheap goods?
Comment by Louis G — March 24, 2005 @ 2:53 pm
Not likely. If they attack Taiwan, we’re not in a position to do much about it, our army is stretched too thin in the Middle East as it is. The Chinese are probably looking at the progress of their technological and military development and estimating that within the next decade they will be able to conquer Taiwan and anyone in the world who would object will not be militarily capable of doing anything about it. Nuking them would be an unacceptable and unlikely response on our part.
In many ways, including economically, China is more powerful than we are right now, we just haven’t acknowledged that to ourselves yet. By the year 2020 they will be the most powerful nation on Earth and by the year 2030, India will have surpassed us as well. By the year 2040, our nation will resemble many of the South American countries with a select group of powerful rich, the vast majority living in poverty and no middle class whatsoever.
Comment by Stony — March 26, 2005 @ 5:39 am
Unlikely for quite some time. China is big and their power is growing everyday. They are a very smart, patient people. They realize that they are no match against us today due to our enormous firepower. However, it is a guarentee that they are planning for that event when the time is right. If we ever have an economic collapse, they will definitely try and take advantage to vault themselves to the #1 power in the world. Nothing to worry about yet, but we need to keep our eye on them.
Comment by truthisinplainsight — March 26, 2005 @ 11:16 am
Hopefully not……… 20 million single Chinese men with no outlet but to fight in a war. We’d be sc***d.
Comment by FireBug — March 29, 2005 @ 5:25 pm
I disagree with you singling out Taiwan. The major flare-up I see coming is a renewal of the Sino-Indian War of the 70’s…..especially with China militarizing and mobilizing their southern border, and arming and “buying” India’s neighbors.
As far as open war, not very likely because the cost would be too large for both parties, but more so for China. The top ten imports of China are food, and the next ten are raw resources. War will starve China. 95% of their population ihabits 10% of their landmass, making things real difficult.
Comment by lundstroms2004 — April 1, 2005 @ 6:20 am
All out Nuclear War or nothing. We won’t be around to debate it.
Comment by hobo — April 1, 2005 @ 4:45 pm
It’s not very likely at all. China would suffer severe economic setbacks as a result of UN sanctions. With their rapidly emerging economy, this would devastate them
The US is too smart to try and take on China in a military arena.
Comment by Jack — April 1, 2005 @ 9:01 pm
It’s not going to happen. However in a few short years the Germans and nine other nation within the E.U. will attact the U.S.
Comment by popeye — April 3, 2005 @ 6:23 am
Shadow wars, may be. A direct confrontation is unlikely. Notably, China affirms No First Use. US does not.
Comment by Vic — April 5, 2005 @ 5:15 pm
Highly unlikely.
Comment by kimberly b — April 8, 2005 @ 8:27 pm
Z E R O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by rockandroll58-79 — April 12, 2005 @ 3:20 am
China will be able to do what they want.
Like take Taiwan over by simple economics.
Look at your goods being sold in the US.
It use to be Tiawan now it says Made In China.
This is why Taiwan will come on board. (No Shot Fired).
The same goes for the USA Like Japan they have loans
From Banks thought out the United States if they where
to default on them the banks go under. Our econemy
would go belly up.
Comment by benhogan7 — April 13, 2005 @ 1:34 pm
It will never happen.
Trade rules the world.
Simple economics.
Great question!!!!
Comment by Craig C — April 13, 2005 @ 6:24 pm
Strategically the Chinese and the US will not fight each other it would cost too much money. Economically Chinese will eventually take over Taiwan. Because the Taiwanese are gonn want to sell to that big market.
Tactically if there were a fight the Chinese would lose before they could put their true power to work. Their true power is numbers. The USA will own the Sea and Air unless they plan to take on Russia or India. At which poitn their true power (numbers) would be hard to stop. Not impossible just hard.
Historically the Chinese would rather be governed by outsiders then to be obliterated. Theya er survivors therefore Nuclear weapons will not be used.
Comment by kayxa — April 16, 2005 @ 11:52 pm
Currently at a nuclear standoff. As the Chinese are about to takeover the world economic markets, a military confrontation is not likely.
Comment by efw — April 17, 2005 @ 10:27 pm
China is now concentrating on building up its economic and military strength. The western world are conscious of the might of this sleeping giant. That explains the reason why Britain had to eat a humble pie, on the question of Hong Kong, on the expiry of its 99 years lease. GB wanted to prevaricate on this issue. China acted with sufficient sternness.
As regards US, it is conducting its affairs world over, by issuing threats and giving carrots. It may not work with China. Further, US always wants to set up some one else to fight its war. It might try to encircle China with other nations in an alliance. Perhaps that explains their intention to become cosy with India.
Comment by ulagam — April 20, 2005 @ 4:32 pm
Not yet! BUT ‘when China becomes a super power and starts dictating to the world what they want that’s when the friction will begin…’
Comment by Looney Girl — April 25, 2005 @ 10:52 am
china is no more interested in occupying the territories of other countries by waging war against them. now the policy of china is to dump its goods at a cheaper rates and become a stronger nation in the world. had it had intentions to occupy ,Taiwan, it should have done it so. even in hongkong also it is following one country two systems.china is not a fool like the USSR and the USA which could not get success in spite of having such a vast military strength, in Afghanistan and Iraq. with in 2 decades, it would swallow the economies of most of the third world countries especially , African countries. now it is eying Myanmar.
Comment by nightingale — April 25, 2005 @ 9:53 pm
Not by any chance, because US of A is known to flex its muscles against weak countries and that also after taking help of more that 20 other countries. They are afraid against smaller countries to go it alone against them. They cannot dare to attack a strong country like China unless they want to commit harakiri. If they do decide they will have to order many more body bags then they ever imagined.
Comment by arif anwar — April 28, 2005 @ 6:57 pm
china is now a blue eyed boy of the USA after embracing capitalism and it is as cunning as a jackal. there would be confrontation between these two countries only on economic grounds but no war. as long as china follows state capitalist policies, there would be no confrontation with the USA as it jeopardizes its economic interests.but Indian leaders miserably failed in maintaining friendship with the neighboring countries. even though, Nepal was a Hindu country, it had more cordial relations with Pakistan and china .you do not know perhaps, china smuggles goods to Taiwan and the ruling class of Taiwan discreetly maintaining cordial relationships with mainland.
Comment by geerowkool — April 30, 2005 @ 3:08 am
economic ties do not supplant political divergence,,,,,,,nor are a guarantee against conflict,,,,,,,,,germany’s most significant trading partner before ww1 ,was,,,,,a,,,russia,,b,,,,,,,,france,,,,,c,,,the us,, d ,,moldavia ….france invaded in aug 1914,,,,,,through trois vierges ,(means three virgins,,,,,,,german taste in 1914),,,,aachen is the german name for this city in belgium,
Comment by quackpotwatcher — May 2, 2005 @ 11:18 pm
That question has been flouting around for 60 years and you guess is good as my guess as to when, where and how, that they will declare war against each other.
I hope it is not in my lifetime or yours young fella.
Comment by Dropshortandduck — May 3, 2005 @ 8:36 am
it will never happen,the usa would know what war was if it confronted china and visa- versa
Comment by davidt — May 4, 2005 @ 3:29 am
Yes! We are going to kill them all!!! All Chinese are godless pagans and they will die! We will enjoy watching their cities burn! HAHAHA!
Comment by US only — May 6, 2005 @ 5:09 pm