The pneumoniavirus is having a detrimental effect on China. While Xi Jinping kicks China’s economy into full swing, the rest of the world is on full alert. Manufacturing moves home—whether to or from China. Countries seek alternate supply sourcing. Taiwan shines like a star of brilliance, set up as if to shame China by design. China’s big mistake was going along with feeling shamed, as if by design. China could have played its hand with Taiwan the way the UK did with the American Revolution—claiming it lost a few colonies, but that it didn’t matter. By pretending not to care, the world might not care and China would be unstoppable. Instead, China is taking every step possible to create new enemies and make old enemies worry.
In that wake, Taiwan grows in military and respect, even donating medical masks to other countries. The WHO now faces shame and doubt because of an evermore apparent bias toward China. Australia cooperates with the US in efforts to confront China. Critical voices in China are silenced or otherwise go missing. An employee of Hong Kong CEO Carrie Lam resigned, then killed himself. Kim Jong-Un makes more threats. East Asia is more volatile than ever. Times like these are what some call an “opportunity”.
Great Pacific
Hong Kong official reprimands TV station over WHO interview that mentioned Taiwan // Guardian
C.I.A. Hunts for Authentic Virus Totals in China, Dismissing Government Tallies // NY Times
Martha McSally calls on WHO director to resign // Politico
Trade & Tech
Now TSMC involved!
Huawei Warns of ‘Pandora’s Box’ If U.S. Curbs Taiwan Supply // Yahoo News
China
‘Shameless’: anger as China quarantines freed human rights lawyer 400km from home // Guardian
Many wonder if China’s coronavirus recovery can be trusted // CNN
China Concealed Extent of Virus Outbreak, U.S. Intelligence Says // Bloomberg
Expats face hostility after second wave of virus cases hits China and Hong Kong // Financial Times
Taiwan
Donating masks to allies! 😛
Virus Outbreak: Taiwan joins global COVID-19 battle // Taipei Times
Is Taiwan Really Buying the ‘Wrong’ Weapons? // The Diplomat
Masks mandatory on Taiwan trains, inter-city buses starting today // Taiwan News
An American Perspective on Australia’s Approach to the Taiwan Strait // Ketagalan Media
Why Taiwan has become a problem for WHO // BBC News
Senior WHO adviser appears to dodge question on Taiwan’s Covid-19 response // Guardian
Hong Kong
Korean Peninsula
North Korea rips Pompeo, says ‘if the US bothers us, it will be hurt’ // Fox News
Military Faceoff
Lockheed Martin Wins $4.8B Deal to Procure 78 F-35 Jets // Yahoo News