"Taliban's rapid victory embarrasses U.S., smashes image, arrogance," stated one headline in Global Times, a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) organ.

It published an editorial contrasting the U.S. commitment to Afghanistan and its commitment to Taiwan, and concluding that if it "abandoned" Afghanistan, then the ruling pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan should "wake up from their dreams."

"From what happened in Afghanistan, they should perceive that once a war breaks out in the [Taiwan] Straits, the island's defense will collapse in hours and the U.S. military won't come to help," Global Times opined. "As a result, the DPP authorities will quickly surrender, while some high-level officials may flee by plane."

China views Taiwan as a rebellious province that will be reincorporated into "one China" eventually, by force if necessary. The U.S. is committed under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act to protecting the island democracy from unprovoked aggression, and to providing it with military aid.