While trade wars hog the headlines ahead of next week's historic meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, it's the potential of a real, kinetic war over Taiwan that's occupying the minds of military analysts the world over. 

Xi has called the reunification of Taiwan and China 'inevitable' and necessary for the realisation of his 'China Dream.' But America has a historic obligation to come to Taiwan's aid if it were attacked militarily. So what would happen if an unstoppable force were to meet an immovable object, some say as soon as 2027? Who would win, and how would it play out? 

Dr. Oriana Skylar Mastro is one of the west's leading analysts of China and author of Upstart: How China Became a Great Power. She also advises the Pentagon, though she's talking to Tom and Patrick in a personal capacity. 

Further listening:

China’s power: The PLA vs the USA (Part 1)

China’s power: How Xi is running rings around the West (Part 2)

Host: Tom Newton Dunn & General Sir Patrick Sanders

Guest: Oriana Skylar Mastro

Photo: Getty Images

Clips: Reuters

Get in touch: generalandjournalist@thetimes.co.uk

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