Cadence of Conflict: Asia, January 11, 2016

China’s economic shaking may have had more of a placebo than newspapers let on. Devalued Chinese yuan does not contribute to lower oil prices as much as the decisions of the Arabs. Even if it has a factor, lower oil prices are healthier for economies as it keeps costs lower. Perhaps China’s slowdown is good for everyone except China, and of course, Africa.

The disappearance of Hong Kong bookseller, Lee Bo, has Hong Kongers in a tizzy, still not as severe as the Umbrella Movement that ended just over a year ago. Much like the Umbrella Movement, while protests will result in little change concerning Beijing’s Hong Kong SAR policy, the world is evermore aware that there is not change.

Taiwan is set for a historic election. The opposition DPP is likely to win the presidency and likely the legislature, which would be a first. Wanting to be “friends” with Beijing has so far been the goal of the DPP and the Taiwanese, but would be seen as an insult of Beijing which wants “reunification” instead. The consequences could echo Taiwan’s first presidential election in 1996 when China shot a missile across the island.

With the tensions in the area, particularly the flyovers and bomb testing in the Koreas and protests in Hong Kong, the foreseeable diplomatic response of the White House would be in spite of an American public that is evermore aware of China’s methods and nonetheless more determined to answer.

China scraps its broken stock market circuit breaker | QZ

It took only 14 trading minutes to break China’s stock market today | QZ

China’s slowdown, financial mayhem cast long shadow across world | WA Post

US crude dips below $31, hits fresh 12-year low | CNBC

Thousands protest in Hong Kong over missing bookseller Lee Bo | CNBC – Reuters

U.S. B-52 bomber flies over S. Korea in solidarity after N. Korean nuclear claim | CNN

South Korea counters North threat by seeking US strategic arms | South Korean News

Three candidates hit ‘super’ Tainan | Taipei Times