Cadence of Conflict: Asia, July 22, 2019

In the singing, fake-smiling scenes of Uyghurs in reeducation camps in China, the Chinese expect the world to be swayed to believe they are happy. That’s how Chinese view it with each other—they fake-smile at each other and buy the lie because they hope other people buy into their own fake smiles. The Chinese have no idea that Westerners know when they are truly happy and truly not, being able to tell a fake smile when we see one—or two or ten thousand.

If Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang and China’s Global Times tabloid editor Hu Xijin are right—that the White House shouldn’t get “the credit” for China’s sinking economy—then China would be thankful, but they aren’t. It’s just more Chinese chicken-chest thumping. So focused on forcing the world to love them back, the Chinese Communist Party and their media puppets are unaware of how they come across to the rest of the world that actually does not need to bend to their demands.

Xi Jinping is the modern Hitler. He calmly talks of peace, claims to not want war, then rouses his sleeping anger to growl that he will use force if necessary. The concentration-brainwashing camps are set up and well-marketed. Everyday shows more unapologetic expansionism upon territories who want nothing to do with China. Symphony’s Asian Mad Scientist Theorem is proving too accurate for comfort and Hong Kong doesn’t want any part.

China might as well get used to this happening in Taiwan, though they won’t accept that the Taiwanese won’t accept Chinese rule any more than Hong Kongers. The difference is that Taiwan has missiles and a military. And, multiple times throughout half a millennium of adversity, Taiwan is only conquered by the enormous mainland when the enormous mainland is already conquered by something else. Mayor Han of Kaohsiung, the KMT-Nationalist contender in the upcoming presidential election in Taiwan, has already been defeated for the populist he is. The election isn’t over, but then again it kind of already is.

Hong Kong has drawn so much attention that Taiwan is looking into asylum avenues, the EU is voicing support for Hong Kong protesters’ demands, and Britain is looking to support not just Hong Kong, but also Taiwan. China, not having learned from the opium wars, has once again been cruel to the little kid in the Far East, oblivious to the anger awakened in his older brother in the West.

Trade & Tech

Huawei abandons mysterious plan B, placing big bet on Trump trade deal // Business Insider

Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei: ‘Shutting Huawei out is the start of the US falling behind’ // Yahoo News

China scrambles to stem manufacturing exodus as 50 companies leave // Nikkei Asian Review

More than 50 companies reportedly pull production out of China due to trade war // CNBC

China-US trade talks reportedly slow to a standstill over Huawei // CNBC

China wants trade deal with US despite hardline stance—Clete Willems // CNBC

Signs point to the trade war dragging on as China strikes hard-line tone // CNBC

‘The credit doesn’t go to the White House’…
China says Trump ‘misleading’ people linking trade deal, slowing economy // CNA

Huawei will reportedly lay off hundreds of US workers // The Verge

U.S. Tech Firms Will Pull Manufacturing From China, Not Return to U.S. // Digital Trends

China

Two killed, 12 missing after huge blast rocks China gas plant: state media // Yahoo News

Another Massive Gas Explosion Rocks China, Casualties Unknown // OilPrice.com

Hong Kong and Taiwan find solidarity against China // Quartz

China issues 17,000 smart watches to pupils to track movements // Yahoo News

Chinese state assets watchdog discusses ways to boost cooperation with US firms ahead of next round of trade talks // SCMP

Move over Trump: China’s tweeting diplomats open fresh front in propaganda fight // Yahoo News

China Knows How to Buy Off Enemies // Bloomberg

Heart-wrenching documentary…
Xinjiang: China, where are my children? // YouTube @ BBC News

Shocking inside documentary…
Inside China’s ‘thought transformation’ camps // YouTube @ BBC News

As China locks up Muslims in Xinjiang, it opens its doors to tourists // Bangkok Post

Beyond the Trade War, China’s Economy Is Struggling to Stabilize // Bloomberg

China Q2 GDP: Beijing posts economic data amid trade war with US // CNBC

Taiwan

US must stand with Taiwan amid threats: US senator // Taipei Times

Formosa Alliance enters political arena // Taipei Times

Kaohsiung mayor slammed for not inspecting flooding // Taipei Times

Hong Kongers seek political asylum // Taipei Times

Tsai says ‘Hong Kong friends’ could be given asylum on humanitarian grounds // Taiwan News

Steps toward law & order…
Taiwan finds 1,215 illegal hotels // Taiwan News

US House Foreign Affairs Committee honors Taiwan president // Taiwan News

Fmr NATO sec-general…
Hong Kong showed China is a threat to democracy. Now Europe must defend Taiwan // Guardian

Han wins KMT primary // Taipei Times

China holds drills in Taiwan Strait, calls for sanctions against US companies // CNN

Kaohsiung mayor Han Kuo-yu wins KMT ticket to challenge Tsai Ing-wen for Taiwan presidency // SCMP

Hong Kong

Yet again…
Hundreds of thousands take to the streets in latest Hong Kong protest // Vox

Protesters vandalise Beijing’s office in Hong Kong // YouTube @ South China Morning Post

Jimmy Lai interview…
Hong Kong marchers pelt Beijing Liaison Office with eggs in latest protest // Fox News

Chaos and bloodshed in Hong Kong district as hundreds of masked men assault protesters, journalists, residents // HKFP

Pro-China Hong Kong protester calls BBC reporter ‘fake news’ during broadcast // BBC News

Commentary: EU should quit meddling in China’s internal affairs // Xinhua News

European Parliament to debate enacting export controls on tech ‘used to violate basic rights’ in Hong Kong // HKFP

European Parliament approves motion on Hong Kong, as Beijing calls it full of ‘ignorance and prejudice’ // SCMP

Hong Kong protester accused of biting off police officer’s finger charged, as Demosisto activists remain in detention // HKFP

PHOTO: Hong Konger being attacked before report of ‘police finger bitten off’ // instagram.com

Hong Kong extradition bill protests: police warn organisers they may block Kowloon rally between Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan over unrest fears // SCMP

‘Police finger bitten off’…
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam condemns ‘rioters’ after latest violent clash // Japan Times

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam slams ‘rioters’ who attacked police in Sha Tin on Sunday and calls on all residents to defend rule of law // SCMP

Hong Kong protesters march in new outpouring of grievances // Taiwan News

Thousands back on Hong Kong streets to keep up pressure // Aljazeera

Video…
Hong Kong police chief condemns ‘thug’ protesters after extradition bill clashes in Sha Tin leave 22 people in hospital with 6 in critical or serious condition // SCMP

Korean Peninsula

Russians? Because he’s ‘not supposed’ to have it…
How did Kim Jong Un get his Mercedes-Benzes? // CNN

‘Rehearsal of war’: North Korea says nuclear talks at risk if US-South exercises go ahead // Sydney Morning Herald

Military

The Navy’s 6th Generation Fighter Could Put the F-35 in a Museum // Yahoo News