China’s recent obsession with arresting Canadians is easier to understand and predict if it is seen as an attempt to alienate US allies from the US. Based on this, we can expect mistreatment of other US citizen allies in the future. They did something similar with an Australian back in January. By lashing out at citizens of US allies, China—more than likely—hopes to make those countries regret being friends with the US…
…because that works in Chinese culture’s inside baseball.
Something about Chinese-Confucian culture is obsessed with “the group” and “uniform conformity”. When someone steps “out of line”—whatever the groupthink happens to have decided “the line” is this afternoon—others within that culture instinctively begin to attack that person like hyenas attack an isolated impala in the wild. It’s almost as if they are governed by a hypnotic auto-think. Small charges, snaps, and bites slowly creep in from any and every side until the group kills and devours whoever tried to be different.
This is exactly what China has done to Taiwan’s allies. Most of them caved. Senator Rubio lashed out at El Salvador for abandoning Taiwan last August when the trend became annoyingly obvious. Since it worked with them, maybe China thinks it will work with the English-speaking world.
But, the Chinese only learn “Chinglish” at best, whether with language or with culture. There attempt will only backfire and that will explain the members of the coming alliance that defeats China in the fast-approaching scuffle. And, it will explain the coming alliance that nations just east of China will soon deepen with the English-speaking world, as well as the growing alienation between English-America and Latin-America. But, that won’t be seen for another decade.
Trade & Tech
Trump’s Huawei Reprieve Is A National Security Debacle // Zero Hedge
Japan-South Korea Feud Heats Up Over Tokyo’s North Korea Claims // Yahoo News
Japan, South Korea fail to mend dispute with frosty meeting // Yahoo News
S. Korea calls for intl probe over feud with Japan // RT
China’s imports from U.S. plunge 31 percent in June amid tariff war // NBC News
Taiwan to surpass S. Korea as largest semiconductor making market in world // Taiwan News
U.S. Will Allow Trade With Huawei—If There’s No Security Threat // Gizmodo
25 Million Android Phones Infected With Malware That ‘Hides In WhatsApp’ // Forbes
Huawei staff and Chinese military have deep links, study claims // CNBC
China
Saudi Arabia and Russia among 37 states backing China’s Xinjiang policy // Yahoo News
Flashback…
Rubio Vows to Cut Off Aid to El Salvador Following China Policy Change // WA Free Beacon
Flashback…
Central America Caught in China-Taiwan Diplomatic Tussle // AS/COA
Canadian arrested in Yantai, China, Global Affairs confirms // CP24
Canadian citizen has been detained in China, Global Affairs confirms // CBA
Koch Industries executive interrogated in China, report says // CNBC
Four Britons among foreigners arrested in China for drug offences // BBC News
Fed rate cut would ease pressure on China’s PBOC, analysts say // CNBC
A Spy Case Exposes China’s Power Play in Central Asia // WSJ
China’s War Horse at the WTO Is Ready to Fight // Bloomberg
Takeover Trap: Why Imperialist China Is Invading Africa // Yahoo News
Trump says China not buying US agricultural products amid trade talks // CNBC
Integrity of China’s Three Gorges Dam questioned despite officials dismissing it as safe // Fox News
US China trade war talks: Mnuchin, Lighthizer speak to Liu He // CNBC
World cannot shut China out, vice president says, in jab at U.S. // Yahoo News
Chinese V-P: World cannot shut out China, Latest World News // The New Paper
Taiwan
After Taiwan buys arms, China holds military drills on southeast coast // Yahoo News
China Holds Drills Near Taiwan, U.S. Warns of ‘Threat’ // MSN News
Tsai touts democracy, calls for support // Taipei Times
Shanghai police detain 12 investment experts: MAC // Taipei Times
Taiwan defends U.S. arms deal after China sanctions threat // NBC News
‘Playing With Fire’: China’s Military Warns US Over Taiwan Arms Sales // Zero Hedge
Tsai meets with allies’ envoys in NY amid scuffles // Taipei Times
22 countries demand end to China’s oppression in Xinjiang // Taiwan News
Taiwan leader warns of threat to democracy before leaving for US // Aljazeera
Taiwan president leaves for US, warns of threat from ‘overseas forces’ // CNA
US authorized new arms sales to Taiwan. China isn’t pleased. // Vox
China demands US cancel proposed $2.2bn arms sale to Taiwan // Aljazeera
Taiwan’s Status is a Geopolitical Absurdity // The Atlantic
Hong Kong
Hong Kong protest ends in chaotic clashes between police and demonstrators // Guardian
Hong Kong protests: Tens of thousands again turn out // BBC News
Hong Kong protests target Chinese traders // 9news.com.au
Hong Kong protesters march with mock coffin of city leader // Yahoo News
In challenge to Beijing, Hong Kong activists attempt to take fight to mainland // CNA
Hong Kong artist criticizes China at the UN // Asia Times
Hong Kong protesters plan Bank of China ‘stress test’ after latest clashes // CNA
Korean Peninsula
Kim Jong Un Is Now Officially Head of North Korea // Newsweek
North Korea calls South Korea’s F-35 jet purchases ‘extremely dangerous action’ // Yahoo News
Military
Technological Theft: China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter Has American DNA // National Interest