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China Taiwan
Taiwan does not pose a military threat to China, despite
Taipei's vow to "recover the mainland." Tensions in the Taiwan
Strait decreased beginning in the late 1970s, when China called for
peaceful reunification with Taiwan and reduction of PLA forces in
Fujian Province opposite Taiwan. Nevertheless, Beijing refused to
rule out the use of force against Taiwan in the event that Taiwan
had serious internal disturbances or declared independence. In the
late 1980s, a Chinese attack against Taiwan was considered unlikely
by most observers. The Navy lacked the amphibious forces necessary
to mount a full-scale invasion. The Navy had the capability to
mount a blockade of Taiwan, but this measure also was considered
unlikely.
Data as of July 1987
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