Cadence of Conflict: Asia, April 19, 2021

China is over the line. There is no way that a nation which knows its own military limits would act as China is acting. Chinese militarized ships anchoring near the Philippines provide just one example. If China had the power to invade, they would have already. Not having that power, the Chinese keep quietly pressing their luck, creeping sneakily as they have only ever been able to. This time, however, they sneaked too far.

China wants a fight more than anyone. News is the same week by week: More people hate China. China keeps pushing others around. Risk of military conflict escalates in the Western Pacific. So, the Chinese don’t think they need to change one, single thing.

Indo-Pacific

Surigae, the first typhoon of 2021, could become Earth’s first Category 5 this year, now heads towards the northern Philippines this weekend // Severe Weather Europe

Trade & Tech

Jack Ma’s fortune jumps $2 billion after record Alibaba fine // Alarabiya

China forces Jack Ma’s Ant Group to restructure // BBC News

China

From cover-up to propaganda blitz: China’s attempts to control the narrative on Xinjiang // CNN

Taiwan

Typhoon Surigae to bring no drought relief to western Taiwan // Taiwan News

Taiwan’s president says Chinese military activities threaten regional stability // CNBC

Military Faceoff

US-China saber-rattling heightens East Sea tensions, risks: experts // e.vnexpress.net

Nimitz Wins CY2020 Aircraft Carrier Battle ‘E’ // US Navy

As the US Navy scrambles to field more missiles in Asia, a tough decision looms for aging cruisers // Defense News

Beijing has a navy it doesn’t even admit exists, experts say. And it’s swarming parts of the South China Sea // CNN

US and China deploy aircraft carriers in South China Sea // CNN