In 2020 the balance of military power in the Taiwan Strait began a gradual but profound shift in China’s favor.

As a military analyst specializing in China and Taiwan who has spent the past two years managing an open-source database tracking Chinese military activity, I am deeply concerned about the dangers that this activity poses. Alarms should be ringing, but neither Taiwan nor the United States has taken meaningful action to deter China, ... .

Summary with ChatGPT Used ChatGPT (Settings) Main Points of the Article:

1. Communist Party officials in China are being ordered to increase the supply of arable land by any means possible, with the goal of growing more grain.

2. China currently produces enough rice, wheat, and maize to feed its population, so the sudden rush to increase arable land is raising concerns.

3. The author suggests that the real reason behind this push for more arable land is that Xi Jinping, China's leader, is preparing for war.

4. China heavily relies on imports of soya beans, maize, wheat, and other cereals to feed its livestock. In the event of war, these imports would cease, leading to food shortages.

5. China's previous reforestation efforts are being reversed, with newly planted trees uprooted to make space for crops. Local party officials face repercussions if they disobey these orders.

6. China's history of defeats at the hands of invaders may be motivating Xi Jinping's intense calls for "combat readiness" and the rejuvenation of the Chinese people.

Secondary Points of the Article:

1. The "Great Leap Forward" during Mao's rule, aimed at rapid industrialization, resulted in widespread famine and death.

2. After the Yangtze River floods in 1998, China embarked on a reforestation campaign, but the current push for more arable land is reversing these efforts.

3. The destruction of small fruit orchards and killing of ducks is impoverishing millions of people.

4. China's navy and air force may not be fully prepared for real combat.

5. The author suggests that Xi's motivations and intentions might go beyond reclaiming Taiwan.

"So far, China’s future war might appear to be all talk, but preparations are well underway. Already, catastrophic deforestation is harming all humanity while the destruction of orchards and the mass killings of ducks are impoverishing tens of millions. That is not just talk."