Now, China has become the dark example of why not to be a Democrat in America. This is a new low. As much as being compared to China makes Democrats appear bad, it makes China appear all the worse because it paints China as the archetype of “how not to be”. American sentiment against China grows evermore glum.
No country is above democratic politics. Though Communist, China is still controlled by democracy. If the American public doesn’t like China, they will overthrow China in their own way. But, that’s a concept Beijing is incapable of adapting to because they have no such accountability to their own people at home.
China thinks its “rise to power” is about China being able to make decisions on its own. America thinks that anyone’s rise to power is about growing up and acting like an adult. As long as China keeps saying things like, “China can do what we want, America can’t tell us what to do,” it keeps getting evermore clear whether China is an adult yet.
Taiwan isn’t backing down. The government there continues to press for WHO participation. A Taiwanese airline now has flights to the island of Palau—which is important because it is a good thing that didn’t happen under Beijing control. A Taiwanese Mayor of Kaohsiung, Han, of the pro-unification-leaning political KMT-Nationalist party visited the Beijing office in Hong Kong—raising questions about honesty and motive in Taiwan’s central government.
His party keeps threatening to make laws to help Taiwan be re-unified under Beijing. That party recently won a mid-term at local governments. Perhaps they want to loose the next national election just as quickly.
Now, the US is in serious talks about establishing a strong military presence on Taiwan’s Taiping Island, somewhere between Taiwan’s huge, main island and China’s man-made islets at Mischief Reef. That would lead to a provocation that no trade agreement could withstand.
US imposes new sanctions against two Chinese shipping companies | Business Insider
Trump reverses North Korea sanctions a day after they were announced | POLITICO
Trump decides against more North Korea sanctions at this time – source | Yahoo – Reuters
U.S. to Leave in Place Latest North Korea-Related Sanctions, Sources Say | Yahoo – Bloomberg
China
China changing ‘status quo,’ US official warns | Taipei Times
China and the US: Xi and Trump miss their chance for meaningful trade reforms | Daily Maverick
China Is Spying On Israel to Steal U.S. Secrets | Foreign Policy
Former Chinese, US officials joust over China’s role on the world stage | SCMP
China will buy more US goods, top official says ahead of latest trade war talks | SCMP
China chemical plant explosion kills six in Yancheng | BBC
Italy joins China’s New Silk Road project | BBC
Taiwan
China’s Worst Nightmare: A U.S. Military Presence on Taiwan? | National Interest
MOFA slams China on Italian statement | Taipei Times
Tsai, HK lawmakers slam Han meeting | Taipei Times
Taiwan, US to hold annual dialogue | Taipei Times
No ‘understanding,’ no invitation: WHO | Taipei Times
Tsai’s layover standard practice: US | Taipei Times
China Airlines to add a flight to Palau: Tsai | Taipei Times
Why Taiwanese Are Parking Their Money In Cambodia, Once An Unlikely Go-To Country | Forbes
Military
Unstoppable Stealth: Why F-22s, F-35 and New B-21 Bombers Should All Be Feared | National Interest
The F-35 Stealth Fighter Still Isn’t Ready for High-Tech Combat: Report | National Interest