Can a transport stop(attack) a transport

[tactical]

Although this question is completly out there, I just wanted to satisfy my curiosity. Let's say on UK1, they move their transport from sz 35 to sz 36. They do this to(I guess to stop the Japanese transport(fleet) from retakeing FI-China back).<This is assuming UK took it on turn 1>.
Here's the question, if the Japanese player moves his transport from sz 59(to get to sz 35) what happens when 2 opposing transports are in the same seazone?(no air support).(Even with air support, the transport has to stop in that sea zone, it is considered a battle). But by itself, a transport may not attack.
Since an opposing player has a transport in the sea zone, the Japanese transport has to stop(only subs may go through). BUT, is there combat?
How would you conduct it?

[tactical]

Thanks Grognads

[Reyoso]

Thats how I'd play it also if the Other Player was stubborn enough to push for a combat.

[Mike Selinker]

But by itself, a transport may not attack.Not technically true, Randell. A transport has "no attack fire." That doesn't mean it can't make a combat move by itself into a hostile space. When it does, it "must survive the defensive fire step before it can retreat." (p. 30).

Now, let's say the transport doesn't want to retreat; its goal is to stop the retaking of China, as you say. Well, then it's dead, because the opponent will eventually roll a 1. In fact, I'd let the opponent roll all the dice on the table at once. ;)

Mike

[onslaught]

OK, same situation, but what if the Japanese player moved just the carrier from sz37 through sz35 to get to sz36. If the carrier missed its shot at 1, and the British transport missed its defending shot at 1, couldn't the Japanese player retreat both the transport and the carrier back into sz35? The Japanese transport couldn't unload to take India but still it would be able to move to sz 35. Is that the right interpretation of the new rules that all retreating units have to retreat to the same space? I think it is but it would still feel like cheating for some reason. Has anyone confronted this kind of situation yet with any other units? Thanks :D