China’s getting more flack from more sides—Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines. Vietnamese are furious with H&M for depicting maps with Vietnam-claimed islands as part of China, even though H&M did that because the Chinese told them to. The noose of perceived nuisance tightens.
China won’t back off on military drills and presence. The greatest beneficiaries are Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics. They have every reason to hope China continues military drills. A Chinese aircraft recently radioed reference to airspace as “Chinese”, which Taiwan also claims. Weapons dealers are probably clanging champagne glasses over that.
Military activity in the Southeast Asia is on the uptick. No one plans to back down. The question is over which side is reacting how the other side expected. The accurate expector will likely win the next scuffle.
Indo-Pacific
China Tells Japan to Stay Out of Hong Kong, Xinjiang Issues // Bloomberg
H&M faces Vietnam boycott over South China Sea map // Nikkei Asian Review
Philippines warns China of ‘unwanted hostilities’ in sea dispute // Aljazeera
China
$2.78B
China fines Alibaba billions for alleged market abuses // Guardian
Xinjiang cotton: Western brands blurred on China TV // BBC News
Taiwan
Photo of the Day: Taiwan’s Sun Moon desert // Taiwan News
China says US to blame for tensions over Taiwan // Taiwan News
US eases limits on Taiwan contacts // Taipei Times
US bill to pressure China on trade, support Taiwan // Taipei Times
Taiwan education minister supports athletes preparing for Beijing Olympics // Taiwan News
Military Faceoff
Navy Aircraft Carrier Strike Group Passes Through Suez Canal // Military.com
China’s moves in Strait ‘destabilizing,’ US says // Taipei Times