To Mr Opinion- Thanks for the link on the Chinese "17+1 Initiative" in Central and East Europe (CEE).

I also came across the term DIME yesterday that was new to me...

http://thestrategybridge.org/the-bridge/2018/6/20/dime-not-dime-time-to-align-the-instruments-of-us-informational-power

"Donald M. Bishop
June 20, 2018

The officers I teach at Marine Corps University have long absorbed that American power has at least four elements—diplomatic, informational, military and economic. They use the shorthand DIME."

"All these adversaries, however, propagate ideas that challenge the norms that undergird peace, stability, order, democracy, and prosperity.[2] Ideas must engage ideas, so it’s time for the parts of the U.S. government that deploy informational power to work together.[3] Unifying them is a bridge too far. Something more simple—aligning—would be a good start."

"The informational power of the United States mostly derives from higher education, the media, entertainment and film, advertising,

Unlike American military and diplomatic power, however, this informational power is not controlled, directed, or guided by presidential administrations, national security agencies, or military commands."

"Unaligned, U.S. informational power will be defeated in detail, pushed back by aggressive information adversaries."

The Medici's are also interesting representing the economic power of Florence in the 1400-1500's- they integrated with Western European royalty- eg. English King Charles II. The Medici's originally a banking economic empire eventually developed military capabilities and used science and art as diplomatic power

For those who think China = CCP only and does not = the Chinese people then have a look at this.

http://www.msn.com/en-au/news/world/xi-says-china-will-not-let-security-sovereignty-interests-be-undermined/ar-BB1ajlLE?ocid=msedgntp

It is pretty obvious to me that Xi has the Chinese nation behind him and not just the members of the political elite.

And if you read between the lines it looks like China is getting ready to flex its military muscle - I assume at Taiwan.

This is probably a good time to do it given that the West is occupied with its fight against the Covid pandemic.

Which begs the question Did China unleash the virus on the world with the intention of affecting the world's willingness to stop an invasion of Taiwan?

Just found this current news item saying the US is going to deploy Coast Guard vessels in the Western Pacific to counter the Chinese activities in the region:

http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-10-23/us-to-base-coast-guard-cutters-in-western-pacific-in-response-to-china

Apparently this will include having permanent patrols of the South China Sea which as we all know will be a violation of Chinese territorial claims.

China would be insane to invade Taiwan. They would immediately become international pariahs and exports/ trade would be severely curtailed. I suspect they will play a longer term siege game by isolating Taiwan through interference, eg blocking maritime trade routes with their expanding navy. Basically needling Taiwan into submission. Gaming Taiwan’s political system and installing a more pro-China leader in Taiwan would also be on the cards.
Going back to the international pariah concept, I think China is very concerned about that. They went absolutely off the charts when it was proposed that an international enquiry into the origins of Covid be initiated. I do hope that is pursued. No doubt in my mind the findings will be damning and create a united trove of nations willing to put China back in their box and become a responsible global citizen. No war required, just the facts on the origins of the most catastrophic events we have ever faced.

Don't be so naive.
1. China has trashed the transition agreement signed with those nasty evil imperialist ( UK) . Since 1997, the bureaucracy has been purged of hong kongers and replaced with mainlanders and puppets.
2. They don't invade a territory that the UN has declared NOT to be a State.
3. Qantas and lots of other great Aussie companies have bent the knee to Xi and removed any ref to Taiwan from its organisation!

Say no more!

ViolentEntropy,

Yes, that is one way things might unfold.

But does China have enough time up its sleeve to do things that way?

I don't think so.

Nor do I think that China is too worried about what the rest of the world will think of it if it invades and annexes Taiwan.

I see China as a predator that is on a path to gobbling up adjoining nations all to the benefit of a new Chinese empire ruled by its communist elites.

Begs the question as to how long it might take to gobble up Australia?

Why do you think China has been so eager to populate Australia with its nationals over the past several decades? Think about it.