HONG KONG/TAIPEI ¨C Some Chinese online users are calling for a lightning Venezuela-style snatch of Taiwan¡¯s leaders in a prelude to taking over the island, but analysts, scholars and security officials say China¡¯s modernizing military is still far from ready.
In Taiwan, they say, China¡¯s military has an adversary which has prepared for years against a ¡°decapitation operation¡± on its leaders, besides extensive air defenses and radar capabilities, as well as likely support from the United States and its allies.
Although China has spent years acquiring advanced ?weapons, questions remain about the capabilities of its People¡¯s Liberation Army in using them effectively, as well as a command structure that must knit them together in combat.
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