CHINA’S Xi Jinping poses a bigger threat to world peace than Vladimir Putin after a terrifying year at the helm of Beijing, an expert has warned.
Tyrant Xi could “split the world in two” and spark a catastrophic global war should he follow through on his constant threats to seize Taiwan by force.
Ever since Vlad’s brutal invasion of Ukraineworld leaders have been on tenterhooks to see if his Far East ally would follow suit and annex a neighbour.
And while the war in Ukraine has had a devastating impact – destroying homesinfrastructure and killing thousands – it has so far only pushed Europe to the brink of war.
Professor of Chinese Studies and Director of the Lau Chinese Institute, Kerry Brown, believes China taking on Taiwan would cause damage on a “completely different scale”.
He told The Sun that if Beijing invades, there’s a strong chance US forces will rally to defend their ally in the region.
CLASH OF TITANS
Who’d win a US & China war over Taiwan? US security doc reaches conclusion
COMING STORM
China unveils ‘dirt cheap’ missile made from concrete as Xi eyes Taiwan
The major move would dangerously pit two nuclear powers against each other with leaders Xi and Donald Trump among the most fearless around.
Prof Brown said: “Geopolitically, it would split the world into China’s allies and America’s allies.
“This would be multiple times worse than Russia and Ukraine. If it happens, it will create a completely different world – one that we have no clue how it will function.
“They would seriously damage each other and then it could become a global conflict.”
China has a number of notorious allies who would be likely to get involved in some form.
These include the other two members of the Axis of Evil trio in North Korea‘s Kim Jong-un and Putin.
Beijing’s other closest partners are Pakistan – known as its “Iron Brother” – and Iran.
Should the war end up as China against the US then it is also possible that both sides will receive support from their separate international alliance groups.
The US ia a key figure in Nato which is mainly made up of European nations.
Whereas China is a leading voice among the BRICS nation which also includes India, Brazil and South Africa among others.
Prof Brown added: “It will impact all of our economic well-being because we’ll have to function basically in a two-tier world.”
It comes as a top secret American security document revealed China would actually win if they and the US went to war over Taiwan.
Beijing’s prolific production of cheap, highly advanced weapons leaves US fighter jets, ships and satellites vulnerable, the leaked Pentagon report found.
Global economies would also tumble if Taiwan is overrun with the People’s Liberation Army due to what the self-governing island provides to the world.
Taiwan is a significant global trading hub and a major semiconductor supplier – key components in devices like computers, phones and medical equipment.
As many countries rely on the island for its products, conflict in the region could throw global economies into turmoil.
It would have “consequences in the trillions,” warns Prof Brown.
Serious warning signs of an invasion have come out of Beijing in recent years but Xi has now massively stepped up his fury.
The tyrant often shows off his massive army of troops – the largest in the world – and has spent much of 2025 presenting his powerful arsenal to the world.
China’s Victory Day parade in September was seen as the greatest show of strength from a leader of a superpower in the past 12 months.
Trucks with new laser weapons, hypersonic nuclear missiles, robot dogs and an array of high tech drones were all unveiled as Beijing sent a message to their enemies.
Putin was in attendance at the event but only managed to play a bit part role as Xi asserted himself as the true biggest threat to the West.
As well as parading around their deadly weapons, Beijing has also showcased them in mock war drills and military activity.
China encircled Taiwan’s skies and waters in October – holding joint drills with its warships and fighter jets on a near-daily basis near the island.
Disturbing satellite imagery confirmed an armada of ferries was commandeered to practice delivering troops, vehicles and military gear to shore.
The huge exercise is the clearest sign yet that ruthless president Xi Jinping is fine-tuning a military assault which threatens to dwarf the carnage and crisis detonated in Ukraine.
In July, dramatic footage captured a fleet of Chinese tank boats charging through the sea in tight formation during military drills.
China’s elite 7th Marine Bridge will also likely play a major role in any war with Taiwan with eyes constantly watching over the unit’s movements.
They are often seen as China’s answer to the elite US Navy Seals and go by the nickname “Sea Dragons” with each highly-trained soldier kept at “high readiness” for combat at all times.
Taiwan has already begun preparing itself for war.
Why does China want to invade Taiwan?
- Sovereignty and nationalism: The PRC regards Taiwan as a part of China since 1949 and frames reunification as correcting the legacy of civil war and foreign interference. It’s tied to the narrative of “national rejuvenation” by 2049.
- Strategic security: Control of Taiwan would push China’s defensive perimeter outward, complicate foreign (especially US) military operations close to its coast, and help break the “first island chain” that constrains the PLA Navy and Air Force.
- Regional influence and deterrence: Unification would signal that China can reshape the regional order and deter other separatist movements, reinforcing Beijing’s credibility at home and abroad.
- Economic and technological considerations: Taiwan is a key link in global supply chains, particularly semiconductors. While Beijing emphasises sovereignty over economics, control of these capabilities would have strategic benefits.
- Domestic legitimacy: Advancing reunification supports the CCP’s claim to be restoring China’s greatness, which is politically valuable for leadership cohesion and public support.
Earlier this year, it unveiled a handbook, including instructions on what to do if citizens encounter enemy soldiers.
It stresses that any claims of Taiwan’s surrender should be considered false.
The guidance assists residents on locating bomb shelters and preparing emergency kits.
It comes as Beijing steps up military and political pressure to assert its sovereignty claims over the democratically governed island.
Lin Fei-fan, Deputy Secretary-General of Taiwan’s National Security Council who oversaw the effort, said: “This booklet shows our determination to defend ourselves.
“We need people across the Taiwan Strait to understand that there will be a huge cost if China makes the wrong decision because Taiwanese people have the resolve and very clear commitment in defending ourselves and people are willing to take that action to protect each other.”