00:00Donald Trump's surprise attack on Venezuela has generated debate over whether the U.S. leader
00:05set a precedent for China's Xi Jinping to undertake a similar strike in Taiwan.
00:10The U.S. naval blockade of Venezuela and capture of its leader Nicolas Maduro came days after
00:16China held major drills around Taiwan to prepare for a similar scenario. But the comparison only
00:22goes so far. The stakes for China are much higher economically and politically. While it may seem
00:28like Trump was able to snatch a foreign leader without consequence, for Xi, any attempt to seize
00:33or blockade Taiwan will likely be met with sweeping Western sanctions. Think closer to the scale seen
00:39in Russia after it invaded Ukraine. Taiwan also makes around 90% of the world's most advanced trips.
00:46Disrupting that with an attack or a blockade will potentially provoke a much broader international
00:52backlash against China, dealing with a shock to China's already fragile economy. China will also
00:57have to consider the possibility of fighting the U.S. and allies such as Japan in the battle over
01:03Taiwan. But for now, China's immediate reaction, condemning the U.S. move and calling for Maduro's
01:09release, has said no it is looking to portray itself as a beacon of stability for the world,
01:14rather than making any risky moves. This could win Xi goodwill in the developing world as the U.S.
01:19comes under fire for appearing to undermine the international rules-based order.
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