Cadence of Conflict: Asia, February 15, 2021

The WHO probe into China over the pneumoniavirus pandemic doesn’t help ties. The team requested raw data; they were given a summary. China blames America. Joe Biden takes on China over Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Uighurs of  Xinjiang. Now, he is joined by Boris Johnson in criticizing China over the WHO.

Meanwhile, Taiwan has gone two days without a single new case—poster boy of the Pacific! When Japan had a 7.3 magnitude earthquake off Fukushima, Taiwan interrupted its holiday season to voice support.

Now, the New York Post revisits old news about the lady who found an SOS message in a box of Halloween decorations made in Xinjiang. Factory co-workers told the messenger that he was the cause of their trouble by sending a message. If people of a factory are so beaten down, and if the WHO can’t even get raw data on the pandemic that rocked the world, Western voters will wonder what else is going on in China. News reports and recent events spell bad luck for China. Worst of all is China’s reaction that only spells guilt in the Western mind.

Trade & Tech

Huawei files lawsuit to be removed from the FCC’s ‘national threat’ list // Business Insider

China

COVID-19: Boris Johnson joins Joe Biden in putting pressure on China over World Health Organization investigation // Sky News

U.S. ‘gravely damaged’ coronavirus cooperation, China says as row erupts over WHO probe // NBC News

US mom found SOS in decorations—and exposed China’s camps // NY Post

The Xinjiang camps on Clubhouse // SupChina

South China Sea: Unified approach necessary to deter China from using new Coast Guard Law in South China Sea // Economic Times

Admiral: No Abnormal Responses from China After Dual-Carrier Drills // USNI News

Pentagon sends two carrier groups into South China Sea amid tensions with Beijing // The Hill

In a year, China will host the first genocide Olympics // HKFP

China Warns Countries Not to Boycott Beijing 2022 Olympics // YouTube @ China Uncensored

Biden’s in no rush to engage China. Guess who’s trying to take advantage. // Politico

Two US Navy aircraft carriers conduct South China Sea drills // CNN

Taiwan

Taiwan always willing to help Japan, president says // Taipei Times

No domestic or imported infection for second day // Taipei Times

Japan

Australia

Australia ‘overreacting’ to Chinese development plans on northern border // Guardian