Chinese Poker

The People’s Liberation Army could be looking at catastrophic casualties should Beijing wheel on the Republic of China. So the martial rhetoric over Taiwan raises the question whether Beijing — or Mr. Biden — is bluffing.

AP/Chiang Ying-ying, file
Free Chinese soldiers salute during National Day celebrations at Taipei, October 10, 2021. AP/Chiang Ying-ying, file

Conrad Black’s column on Free China this week gives a glimpse of his astounding fluency in military history. We’ve touched on this before. His home library includes something like 20,000 well-read books and, in cases of leaded glass, a collection of model warships, with whose history His Lordship regales visitors. His column this week warns of just how daunting an invasion of a highly defended island like Taiwan would be. 

Have an account? Log In

To continue reading, please select:

Limited Access

Enter your email to read for FREE

Get 1 FREE article

Continue with
or
Unlimited Access

Join the Sun for a PENNY A DAY

$0.01/day for 60 days

Cancel anytime

100% ad free experience

Unlimited article and commenting access

Full annual dues ($120) billed after 60 days

By continuing you agree to our
Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Advertisement
The New York Sun

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use