Grant Stinchfield Interviews Gordon Chang on Real America’s Voice About Rising Tensions Between China, Japan, and Taiwan

Top Points

• China’s threats toward Taiwan are becoming more direct and aggressive: Gordon Chang explains that China is increasing military activity around Taiwan and using sharper language that signals a growing willingness to use force.

• A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would pose an immediate security threat to Japan: Due to Japan’s geographic proximity and reliance on nearby shipping routes and defense outposts, conflict in the Taiwan Strait could directly endanger Japanese territory and regional stability.

• The stability of the Indo-Pacific depends on preventing conflict and strengthening alliances: Stinchfield and Chang discuss how the U.S., Japan, and regional partners are increasing cooperation and preparedness to deter China and maintain security in East Asia.

Full Report:

In a tense and timely episode of Real America’s Voice, host Grant Stinchfield sat down with foreign-policy analyst Gordon Chang to examine escalating tensions in East Asia. Their discussion focused on China’s increasingly aggressive posture toward Taiwan, the implications for regional stability, and why Japan is becoming increasingly concerned about potential conflict.

The segment offered viewers a detailed look at how geopolitical shifts in the Indo-Pacific region could shape global security in the coming years.

China’s Threats Toward Taiwan Are Growing More Direct

Stinchfield opened the interview by asking Chang about China’s most recent military maneuvers surrounding Taiwan. Chang noted that China has been increasing the frequency and scale of its incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, accompanied by warnings that Beijing is prepared to take the island by force if necessary.

Chang explained that China’s leadership views Taiwan not only as a political objective, but also as a strategic and technological prize. He described the situation as dangerous because China’s statements have moved from general claims of sovereignty to more explicit references to “necessary action,” which experts interpret as a direct threat of invasion.

A Chinese Invasion of Taiwan Would Directly Impact Japan’s Security

Stinchfield then asked why Japan is becoming more vocal about tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Chang pointed out that Japan is located extremely close to Taiwan, with several Japanese islands less than 70 miles from Taiwanese territory. These islands host U.S. military bases, Japanese defense outposts, and vital shipping routes.

Chang argued that if China were to invade Taiwan, Japan could face several risks. These include disrupted trade routes, potential attacks on nearby islands, and increased pressure on Japanese air and naval forces. He also noted that Chinese control over Taiwan would dramatically shift the balance of power in the region, placing China closer to Japan’s mainland and strengthening China’s reach into the Western Pacific.

According to Chang, this explains why Tokyo has described Taiwan’s security as directly connected to Japan’s own safety.

Regional Stability Depends on Preventing a Conflict

The conversation turned to the broader implications for regional alliances. Chang emphasized that the United States, Japan, South Korea, and other partners view the Taiwan Strait as a critical strategic corridor. Any conflict could disrupt global supply chains, weaken maritime security, and reshape the alliance structure that has stabilized the Indo-Pacific for decades.

Stinchfield noted that several countries are expanding defense cooperation in response to China’s posture. Chang agreed, pointing out that Japan has been increasing its defense spending, modernizing its military, and strengthening ties with the U.S., Australia, and the Philippines.

A Warning About the Next Stage of Tensions

Chang concluded with a warning that the situation could intensify rapidly if China believes the international community will not push back. He urged policymakers to take China’s statements seriously and to strengthen diplomatic and military readiness in the region.

Stinchfield closed the interview by stating that the world is entering a period of heightened uncertainty, and that the stability of East Asia may depend on how global powers respond to China’s growing aggression.

References

• Real America’s Voice. (2025, April 10). Grant Stinchfield interviews Gordon Chang on rising tensions between China, Japan, and Taiwan. Retrieved from https://www.realamericasvoice.com

• Fox News. (2025, April 8). China increases military pressure on Taiwan as regional concerns grow. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com

• The Daily Wire. (2025, April 6). Analysts warn that a Taiwan conflict would directly threaten Japan’s security. Retrieved from https://www.dailywire.com

• Wall Street Journal. (2025, March 30). Indo-Pacific allies strengthen cooperation amid China’s regional ambitions. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com

• Reuters. (2025, March 28). Japan raises alarms over potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com