Google has gone off the deep end. The level of insanity matches The Bridge over the River Kwai. Actually helping China spy—Are Google execs loopy? From a Chinese company inside China that would make sense. But, Google is American. As if helping a non-ally spy isn’t enough, social media giants are already in trouble over censorship in the US. Google could be in bigger trouble with the White House than Wall Street is.
Taiwan hasn’t wasted any time irritating China. Now, a temple that was bought seven years ago by a Taiwanese business man, which was then converted into a “shrine to Chinese communism”, is having the lights and water turned off as the local government prepares to demolish the whole place. That won’t wash over well for anyone hoping to court friendship with China.
China seems to be taking the hint and finally getting offended. Beijing cancelled a trip to talk trade with Washington after figuring out that tariffs were set by imbalance and retaliation rather than rhetoric. As for the two steering factors—imbalance and retaliation—China shows no indication of making concessions. But, it’s not the tariffs or trade talks that deserve the headlines as much as the insults mounting against China.
The US is going after Russia for selling weapons to China. That’s even more irritation. And, China is even more angry. If we were to analyze the events of the past few months, even years more subtly, it could seem that angering China was an accident. But, the recent past makes more sense, just as events are more easily anticipated, if we consider that the US is irritating China on purpose. Expect more insults from the US, along with Taiwan.
And, Korea. Yes, the two nations are getting along. That won’t work well for any nation or pundit hoping to argue that Trump doesn’t know how to make a difference in the region.
China
China navy ship makes maiden visit to Venezuela after Maduro visit | Yahoo – Reuters
Apple escapes China tariff hit for now, but threats loom | Yahoo – AFP
Alibaba’s Ma Warns U.S.-China Trade War Could Last 20 Years | Bloomberg Quint
Google Suppresses Memo Revealing Plans to Closely Track Search Users in China | The Intercept
China, Russia warn US of consequences over sanctions | AFP
China Cancels Trade Talks as New U.S. Tariffs Loom | Bloomberg
China starts to assert its world view at UN as influence grows | Guardian
Critics Divided on Vatican’s Deal With China Over Bishops | WSJ
China-US Trade Status
US and China exchange new trade war blows as latest round of tariffs takes effect | CNBC
US-China trade: US imposes biggest round of tariffs yet | BBC
Trump’s trade war with China just got a whole lot bigger | CNN
Asia stocks, currencies down as US-China tariffs kick in | CNBC
Trump’s tariffs threaten China’s economy. It already has cracks | CBNC
Taiwan
Water, power to PRC temple cut | Taipei Times
…A “Communist” China Temple
Academics warn on studying in China | Taipei Times
PRC residency card prioritized | Taipei Times
NSA changes mulled to limit fake news | Taipei Times
NPP to push for referendum on constitutional changes | Taipei Times
Those with PRC cards must be regulated: poll | Taipei Times
Four military officers to attend British veteran’s funeral | Taipei Times
Expatriates rally in NYC for UN membership | Taipei Times
Korea
World leaders at UN look for progress on N.Korea, brace for Trump | Yahoo – AFP
Korean leaders in show of unity on mountain summit | Taipei Times
Kim agrees to dismantle main nuke site if US takes steps too | GazetteXtra
Kim Jong Un agrees to dismantle main nuke site if U.S. takes steps too | Denver Post
North Korea’s Kim agrees to dismantle main nuke site if U.S. takes steps, too | NBC News
Kim, Moon head to North Korea’s sacred volcano on final day | AP
Kim, Moon head to North Korea’s sacred volcano on final day | ABC News