Originally Posted by
steamchicken
I think I've seen the same poll. The cross-breaks are really interesting - the number for the 18-24 age group is 90 odd per cent YES, a bit less for the next up. In other words, the people who would have to go and fight and the field grade officers who would lead them are up for it.
The question is whether the well-off and established who make the procurement and force structure decisions are willing to prepare and pay the taxes. That said, look how well their government has done coping with the virus. Who's willing, again?
China could maybe capture and subdue the coastal areas but you could keep an insurgency going in the interior for a good while. Personally I think soldier for soldier the Taiwanese are considerably better then your average PLA conscript, plus they are fighting for their home.