Ukraine war quagmire prompting China rethink on Taiwan: CIA chief

Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers march in Beijing. The country has not ruled out the use of force to take control of Taiwan [File: Andy Wong/EPA]

The head of the CIA has warned that China appears determined on using force in Taiwan, with Russia’s experience in Ukraine only affecting Beijing’s calculations on when and how – rather than whether – to invade.

Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns said on Wednesday that China probably saw in Ukraine that “you don’t achieve quick, decisive victories with underwhelming force”.