Cadence of Conflict: Asia, September 28, 2020

There are no new developments with China, only old squabbles. China is shouting louder and louder, and Western media publish more in-depth stories outlining the many countries China has squabbles with. China is losing over the TikTok ordeal, as well as companies that helped build artificial islands which were not supposed to be military bases anyway, but somehow became military bases anyway. Sanctions fly from the US, as well as diplomats to Taiwan.

At the UN, Russia said a few words leaning in China’s direction, but that’s quite a tall order to expect Russia to devote resources helping China win every territorial squabble with India, Taiwan, the US, and Japan. Russia will more likely condemn the West with soft tones, then offer China moral support after its inevitable humiliation.

Humiliation is a funny thing. That seems to be China’s perspective all around. China feels humiliated and thinks humiliating others will solve its humiliation problems at home. China wants to own Taiwan because China feels humiliation for various and sundry reasons often created in attempt to escape humiliation.  China may even think a Taiwan “D-Day”, or “T-Day” would lead to victory—forgetting that Normandy was about free allies reclaiming lost land from expansionists. China has no alliance, China would be the expansionists, and the free people would be defending their homes. Humiliation blinds us and drives us to do crazy things. Russia knows this and plays for any opportunity—not to help China, but to manipulate China through the paradigm of humiliation China just can’t let go of.

Trade & Tech

China Says It Will Act If U.S. Persists on WeChat, TikTok Ban // Bloomberg

China’s ByteDance aims to keep majority stake in TikTok in Oracle deal // MarketWatch

China

China is doubling down on its territorial claims: here’s what you need to know // CNN

Says China:
Time for China to toughen up on insincere India // Global Times (China Govt)

US sanctions China’s biggest chipmaker // Financial Times

China says US has ‘created enough troubles for the world’ as UN spat continues // CNN

China forces 500,000 Tibetans into labour camps // Sydney Morning Herald

Why China is a ‘friendly’ country
‘You will be put into detention’: Former ABC bureau chief tells story of fleeing China for first time // ABC News Australia

US spy planes posing as airliners ‘serious threat’ in South China Sea // SCMP

This Solomon Islands province is so frustrated with China’s presence that it is considering independence // CNN

Exclusive: Anthony Klan shares details on China’s Wuhan lab operating ‘covert operations’ in Pakistan // India Today

US issues new travel warning on China, Hong Kong // Taipei Times

Taiwan

Is mainland China gearing up for an invasion of Taiwan? // RFI

Taiwan makes anothet contribution to democracy
How Taiwan’s ‘civic hackers’ helped find a new way to run the country // Guardian

True about life in Taiwan…
Photo of the Day: Taiwan encapsulated in one photo // Taiwan News

Toronto TECO director calls for Taiwan support // Taiwan News

Tensions rise across the Taiwan Strait as Taipei test-fires missiles // SCMP

Tsai pledges to defend ROC’s airspace // Taipei Times

Swedish lawmaker motions to formalize office in Taiwan // Taiwan News

China’s Rejection of Taiwan Buffer Zone Raises Risk of Clash // Bloomberg

Taiwan has once-in-a-lifetime chance to forge new alliances // Taiwan News

China Sends Warning to U.S. and Taiwan With Aerial Drill // NY Times

US holds its second high-profile visit to Taiwan in two months as Beijing escalates military pressure // CNN

Trump Administration readies major arms sale to Taiwan // CNN

As Europe’s China scepticism grows, a glimmer of hope for Taiwan // Aljazeera

Chinese warship sails past Taiwan’s east coast // Taiwan News

Taiwan Aims to Help Foreign Air Forces Fix F-16 Fighter Jets, a Stab at China // VOA

Hong Kong

Hong Kong opens wider questions
Hong Kongers, Don’t Idolize the U.K. // The Atlantic

Hong Kong Is a Troubling Case Study in the Death of Democracy // Wired

India

Chinese navy escorts Indian oil tanker in dangerous waters amid strained ties // Global Times (China Govt)