Cadence of Conflict: Asia, January 3, 2022

Taiwan is on the rise. With chip shortages, stock is booming. You know how graphics cards are astronomically high? A lot of that money is going into Taiwan.

Meanwhile, China found an excuse to order a real estate developer to demolish 39 freshly, new-built “luxury apartments”—something about the building permit being illegal and violated zoning. Even it the trumped up charges were true, a settlement could have save the company loads of cash and profited China’s government in tax revenue. Instead, the company lost big time and de-listed in Hong Kong.

And, that’s why China is the better choice to issue diktat over Taiwan. Though, some 72% of Taiwanese don’t think so. Taiwan’s president is boosting military strength. Taiwanese veteran generals retire to the US start cooperation for veterans. Taiwan as the favored spot came after Nicaragua put in its lot with China and severed relations with Taiwan. That was last month. Marco Rubio thinks it is because Nicaragua’s government is glad China turns a blind eye to human rights violations.

China

China harvests masses of data on Western targets, documents show // MSN News

China unveils plan to ‘take over’ Latin America // WA Examiner

Evergrande shares in trading halt after China orders demolition of newly built luxury apartments // ABC News Australia

Taiwan

China’s Special-Ops Forces Are Taiwan’s Real Problem, Not Warships // Business Insider

Retired officers to depart for US to set up mission // Taipei Times

Ex-general quits KMT, throws support behind DPP’s Lin in Taichung vote // Taipei Times

Taiwan braces for more Chinese flybys next year // Taipei Times

Poll says 72.5% of Taiwanese willing to fight against forced unification by China // Taipei Times

Tsai promotes 23, calls for boost to combat readiness // Taipei Times

Taipei thanks US for defense move // Taipei Times

Chip stocks fire TAIEX to historic high // Taipei Times

Military Faceoff

Navy’s Costly Carrier Finally Has Its Bomb-Lifting Elevators // Bloomberg