Of course, the fact that China is unlikely to compete with the US on a global basis does not mean that it could not challenge the US in East Asia, or that war over Taiwan is not possible. If Taiwan were to declare independence, it is likely that China would use force, regardless of the perceived economic or military costs.
当然，中国无法在全球层面上与美国竞争并不意味着它不能在东亚挑战美国，或者与台湾作战是不可能的。如果台湾宣布独立，那么中国有可能会动武，不管这会在经济和军事上付出多大的代价。但是它不大可能会赢得这样的一场战争，而各方谨慎的政策可以有助于避免这样的一场战争。