Cadence of Conflict: Asia, January 1, 2021

It’s happening. Biden is battening down on China. The Chinese still think they can push their diktat in the South Sea and the East Sea and the Taiwan Strait and the Indian Ocean. Rumors spread in America of China helping Biden steal the election. That won’t help China get the support of the American public. Quite opposite, as Americans turn on Biden, accusing him of his own diktat, he will feel the push to prove that he’s not afraid to hit China where it counts. So you see, China may have helped install the very president most likely to create the most trouble for China.

Evidence points that he’s already going there. While weapons deals halted toward the Saudis and the UAE, they are right on schedule for cute, adorable, cuddly, lovable Taiwan.

But, America is not Taiwan’s only friend. Nor, is Taiwan the only territory that doesn’t like China’s diktat. Vietnam, the Philippines, India, and Japan won’t ignore any Chinese aggression in their back yards. And, with the British all ready with their HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier group, they could sweep into a Chinese sea contest after everyone else is bloodied and give their own diktat.

Trade & Tech

Judge refuses to remove Meng Wanzhou’s security guards, who are tasked with preventing her escape // SCMP

China trade war is one thing Joe Biden won’t be rushing to fix // CNN

China

WHO team investigating pandemic visits wet market, receives flu data // CNN

US criticizes Chinese flights over South China Sea, but says they posed no threat // Taipei Times

Chinese Submariners Patrolling South China Sea Suffer ‘Serious’ Psych Problems, Study Finds // Military.com

US-China tensions: Military flashpoints in Taiwan, Japan and South China Sea that could shape Biden’s entire China strategy // CNN

China is rehearsing for when it overtakes America // CNN

Xi’s speech shows how Biden faces a very different China // CNBC

Taiwan

Sullivan hits at China over Taiwan // Taipei Times

US has not halted arms sales: MOFA // Taipei Times

China warns Taiwan independence ‘means war’ as US pledges support // BBC News

China tells Taiwan that independence ‘means war’: report // Fox News

Taiwanese man fined $47K for violating home quarantine 7 times // CNN

Taiwan air force flexes muscles after latest Chinese incursion // Aljazeera

The World Is Dangerously Dependent on Taiwan for Semiconductors // Bloomberg

Taiwan reports large incursion by Chinese warplanes for second day // Yahoo News

Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific Sends A Warning to Hong Kong SAR // LoyaltyLobby

India

India, China soldiers brawl again along disputed frontier // AP

Military Faceoff

Report on U.S.-China Competition in East, South China Sea // USNI News

Aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth becomes Royal Navy’s fleet flagship // Naval Today

The U.S. Navy Needs To Admit It Can’t Outbuild China // Real Clear Defense

Australia invests in advanced maritime weapons, minehunters // Defense News