manqiangrexue
Brigadier
Yes, but that has to be balanced against how nasty and aggressive a power you want to be perceived as in Asia by your South East Asian neighbors. I don't think it would be wrong to do what you recommend, nor do I think it would necessarily be more right over the balance that is currently used.I have similar ideas like voyager1 purposed, more aggressive patrols, more strict enforcement, more island reclamation. Don't be afraid to fire warning shots when necessary. Potentially, PRC could also threaten to remove the old Filipino landing ship occupying second thomas shoal (仁爱礁) if the next government after Duterte becoming too chummy with US again. Like you implied, PRC has developed to a stage that's under intense scrutiny from western adversaries. Bidding its time and treading lightly might have worked when US and its allies didn't view china as much of a threat. This is no longer the case. Hence, PRC's behaviors and actions should also change with new circumstances.
When I heard how the Chinese negotiators were ambushed and tortured/murdered, I said my plan would be to kill every Indian in the area and take no prisoners, telling them if they want their mountain of corpses back, they should hire Russians to carry them because all Indians are shot on sight from now, on so you know I'm not gonna fight you on that opinion. But I respect the CCP's decision over my own opinion.The uneven withdrawal still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. PRC was far too lenient.
Yeah, the PLA wouldn't. It would strike Taiwan and if the US were to intervene, then it would have to attack PLA forces first before the CCP issues the order to strike US assets going forward so the ball is in America's court to see if they dare open that Pandora's box and I doubt as much that they would open fire on Chinese forces first as Chinese forces would open fire on them first.I have my doubts that PLA would fire on US military unless US fires on Chinese military first. The most likely scenario regarding Taiwan independence would be PLA attacking Taiwanese and possible US allies' assets freely while avoiding targeting US military directly. In short similar to how PLA acted in first and second Taiwan strait crisis.