Nations and peoples of the free world are reaching toward each other. The EU reached out to Taiwan and Taiwan was grateful. Taiwan reached out to CNN and CNN did an interview. Kim Jong Un is likely on a train headed through China to Vietnam to meet President Trump. President Trump met with the Vice Premier of China in the Oval Office to discuss trade. And, China “rightly” oppresses an estimated two million Muslims in internment camps, who inhabit the hope-to-breakaway province of Xinjiang, through which China’s “Silk Road” passes to reach other nations with trillions of dollars in trade.
Taiwan’s position in the world only stepped up. In tech, it’s the multinational victim of China. The EU’s unanimous statement of support for Taiwan and condemnation of China’s military activity in the Taiwan Strait is anything but positive PR for China. Taiwan has the support of Europe; that doesn’t count for nothing.
China’s latest shenanigans include Hong Kong taking a serious look at redefining extradition laws so that Taiwanese in Hong Kong would be “extradited” to China. This does far more damage for Hong Kong’s popularity with its electorate at home than it does for Taiwan, raising international sympathy for both. Remember, meddling in Hong Kong’s government is a “must not” as the condition of Hong Kong not remaining under Britain. Nothing would indicate Chinese meddling in Hong Kong’s government more than such a sure-to-backfire anti-PR move like Hong Kong is making by even entertaining such a revision.
The fingerprints of Beijing damaging Hong Kong where British interests remain, all in order to damage Taiwan, goes against the wisdom of courting favor with the masses across Europe. Then, there’s Huawei.
As if international scandals implicating China weren’t enough, Huawei’s founder made the narcissistic comment that “the world can’t live without Huawei”. In Chinese culture, that might make enough people feel compelled to comply. But, the God-fearing West will take the self-absorbed claim as a challenge, much how God took the challenge when “experts” said He couldn’t sink the Titanic. Huawei just might take its place in the hall of sunken fame. No, the West does not. Not too many years from now, when a finance guru claims that a company is “too big to fail”, the public will respond, “Remember Huawei.”
International Reach
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen issues a warning to the world over China | CNN
Taiwan receives support from 155 EU lawmakers | Taipei Times
The Latest: Train possibly taking Kim to summit enters China | Fox News
Hanoi summit: Trump could be trying to sell Kim a Vietnam model | CNN
Trump to meet with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He as China-US trade talks wrap up | CNBC
China
Huawei’s founder says world can’t live without it | AFP
The battle over 5G and Huawei is the biggest test yet for Trump’s approach for China | CNBC
China’s Top Problem Isn’t The Trade War | Forbes
VIDEO: Trump Sees Good Chance China Trade Deal Will Be Made | Bloomberg
VIDEO: Trump, Lighthizer Clash in Front of Reporters Over Meaning of MOUs | Bloomberg
US and China extend trade talks | BBC
Killer Combo: The Stealth F-35 and New F-15X Joining Forces in the Sky | National Interest
Chinese tourists won’t be weapons for much longer | Economic Times
Opinion: Can Trump make a deal with China that doesn’t hurt the rest of the world? | MarketWatch
China explains why Aussie coal shipments have been restricted | news.com.au
Trump delays China tariff March 1 deadline | WA Times
Trump extends China tariff deadline, cites progress in talks | Yahoo – AP
Chinese stocks rocketed higher on Trump’s trade tweet | CNBC
Taiwan
Taiwan’s once-glorious tech brands pushed out by cheaper Chinese rivals | Nikkei
Youth given spotlight in 228 march | Taipei Times
Rules not Taiwan-specific: HK official | Taipei Times
Hong Kong mulling Taiwan redefinition in extradition law | Taipei Times
DPP legislators blast China over book censorship | Taipei Times
Deal risking sovereignty unacceptable, Tsai says | Taipei Times
Tsai to seek re-election | Taipei Times