There are other danger points, beginning with the fundamental issue of all—Taiwan. That Taiwan is not an independent country, and that it not move toward independence, is the oft-repeated “core interest” of China. Beijing is explicit that it would use military force and, if required, go to war to prevent any such move. Another danger point are tiny uninhabited but strategically located islands northeast of Taiwan that both China and Japan claim. North Korea and its nuclear weapons and missile program are a focus of great concern. Yet the South China Sea constitutes what has been described as
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