Everyone gets more serious about Taiwan. The US wants a special free trade agreement. China wants reunification, again. While China stockpiles nukes, the US shakes the finger, then China shakes its fist.
But, Chinese on the inside are tired of it. CCP has burned-out much of its talent and it looks like the Chinese solution is to burn-out more. It’s a very common indication of a very bad leadership—that the solution to a problem is more of the cause.
Taiwan makes a swift recovery from its own COVID lockdown, though Taiwan still has a long way to go. Charging significantly higher fees for the vaccination to resident foreigners, including Americans, isn’t exactly the best way to court support from America. Then again, too often the proposed solution to a problem is more of the cause. Taiwan has developed a fear of foreign invasion—a fear reinforced by recent Chinese rhetoric—yet Taiwanese xenophobia fails to distinguish between foreign friend and foreign foe. That’s the greatest cause of Taiwan’s security threats.
Indo-Pacific
Bagram: Last US and Nato forces leave key Afghanistan base // BBC News
China
U.S. calls build-up of China’s nuclear arsenal ‘concerning’ // Yahoo News
Some Chinese shun grueling careers for ‘low-desire life’ // AP
Taiwan
COVID-19: New infections fall to 37: CECC // Taipei Times
Xi pledges ‘reunification’ with Taiwan // Taipei Times
US senators call for groundwork for Taiwan FTA // Taipei Times
Taiwan to require vendors of freshly made beverages to label caffeine content // Taiwan News
Taiwan hospitals charge foreigners up to 57% more for PCR tests // Taiwan News