Cadence of Conflict: Asia, July 15, 2019

China’s recent obsession with arresting Canadians is easier to understand and predict if it is seen as an attempt to alienate US allies from the US. Based on this, we can expect mistreatment of other US citizen allies in the future. They did something similar with an Australian back in January. By lashing out at citizens of US allies, China—more than likely—hopes to make those countries regret being friends with the US…

…because that works in Chinese culture’s inside baseball.

Something about Chinese-Confucian culture is obsessed with “the group” and “uniform conformity”. When someone steps “out of line”—whatever the groupthink happens to have decided “the line” is this afternoon—others within that culture instinctively begin to attack that person like hyenas attack an isolated impala in the wild. It’s almost as if they are governed by a hypnotic auto-think. Small charges, snaps, and bites slowly creep in from any and every side until the group kills and devours whoever tried to be different.

This is exactly what China has done to Taiwan’s allies. Most of them caved. Senator Rubio lashed out at El Salvador for abandoning Taiwan last August when the trend became annoyingly obvious. Since it worked with them, maybe China thinks it will work with the English-speaking world.

But, the Chinese only learn “Chinglish” at best, whether with language or with culture. There attempt will only backfire and that will explain the members of the coming alliance that defeats China in the fast-approaching scuffle. And, it will explain the coming alliance that nations just east of China will soon deepen with the English-speaking world, as well as the growing alienation between English-America and Latin-America. But, that won’t be seen for another decade.

Trade & Tech


Trump’s Huawei Reprieve Is A National Security Debacle // Zero Hedge

Japan-South Korea Feud Heats Up Over Tokyo’s North Korea Claims // Yahoo News

Japan, South Korea fail to mend dispute with frosty meeting // Yahoo News

S. Korea calls for intl probe over feud with Japan // RT

China’s imports from U.S. plunge 31 percent in June amid tariff war // NBC News

Taiwan to surpass S. Korea as largest semiconductor making market in world // Taiwan News

U.S. Will Allow Trade With Huawei—If There’s No Security Threat // Gizmodo

25 Million Android Phones Infected With Malware That ‘Hides In WhatsApp’ // Forbes

Huawei staff and Chinese military have deep links, study claims // CNBC

China


Australian newspaper obtains full FINA doping panel report on Chinese Olympic swimming champion Sun Yang // SCMP

Saudi Arabia and Russia among 37 states backing China’s Xinjiang policy // Yahoo News

Flashback…
Rubio Vows to Cut Off Aid to El Salvador Following China Policy Change // WA Free Beacon

Flashback…
Central America Caught in China-Taiwan Diplomatic Tussle // AS/COA

Flashback…
China hits out at Australia over ‘concern’ for Canadian drug smuggler sentenced to death // ABC News Australia

Canadian arrested in Yantai, China, Global Affairs confirms // CP24

Canadian citizen has been detained in China, Global Affairs confirms // CBA

Koch Industries executive interrogated in China, report says // CNBC

Four Britons among foreigners arrested in China for drug offences // BBC News

Fed rate cut would ease pressure on China’s PBOC, analysts say // CNBC

A Spy Case Exposes China’s Power Play in Central Asia // WSJ

China’s War Horse at the WTO Is Ready to Fight // Bloomberg

Takeover Trap: Why Imperialist China Is Invading Africa // Yahoo News

Trump says China not buying US agricultural products amid trade talks // CNBC

Integrity of China’s Three Gorges Dam questioned despite officials dismissing it as safe // Fox News

‘Let’s Bomb Everything’: Philippines President Duterte Urges U.S. To Declare War on China // Newsweek

US China trade war talks: Mnuchin, Lighthizer speak to Liu He // CNBC

World cannot shut China out, vice president says, in jab at U.S. // Yahoo News

Chinese V-P: World cannot shut out China, Latest World News // The New Paper

Taiwan


And now this…
Ex-President Ma launches harsh attack on Tsai ahead of KMT primary decision // Taiwan News

After Taiwan buys arms, China holds military drills on southeast coast // Yahoo News

China Holds Drills Near Taiwan, U.S. Warns of ‘Threat’ // MSN News

Tsai touts democracy, calls for support // Taipei Times

Shanghai police detain 12 investment experts: MAC // Taipei Times

Taiwan defends U.S. arms deal after China sanctions threat // NBC News

‘Playing With Fire’: China’s Military Warns US Over Taiwan Arms Sales // Zero Hedge

Tsai meets with allies’ envoys in NY amid scuffles // Taipei Times

22 countries demand end to China’s oppression in Xinjiang // Taiwan News

Taiwan leader warns of threat to democracy before leaving for US // Aljazeera

Taiwan president leaves for US, warns of threat from ‘overseas forces’ // CNA

US authorized new arms sales to Taiwan. China isn’t pleased. // Vox

The US just sold over $2 billion worth of arms to Taiwan — and Beijing isn’t happy // Markets Insider

China demands US cancel proposed $2.2bn arms sale to Taiwan // Aljazeera

Taiwan’s Status is a Geopolitical Absurdity // The Atlantic

Hong Kong


Hong Kong protest ends in chaotic clashes between police and demonstrators // Guardian

Hong Kong protests: Tens of thousands again turn out // BBC News

Hong Kong protests target Chinese traders // 9news.com.au

Hong Kong protesters march with mock coffin of city leader // Yahoo News

Two retired policemen among three people arrested over clashes sparked by ‘Lennon Walls’, Hong Kong’s latest show of defiance against hated extradition bill // SCMP

In challenge to Beijing, Hong Kong activists attempt to take fight to mainland // CNA

Hong Kong: families are feuding as China extradition bill exposes generational fall in living standards // CNN

Hong Kong artist criticizes China at the UN // Asia Times

Hong Kong protesters plan Bank of China ‘stress test’ after latest clashes // CNA

Korean Peninsula


Kim Jong Un Is Now Officially Head of North Korea // Newsweek

North Korea calls South Korea’s F-35 jet purchases ‘extremely dangerous action’ // Yahoo News

Military


Technological Theft: China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter Has American DNA // National Interest