Cadence of Conflict: Asia, March 30, 2020

Blame! Both general theories about where this virus originated fail to do two things: They don’t acquit anyone and they don’t tell us how to treat it. The theories no longer seem to matter since fear has taken over the world.

Initially, we had a theory that the virus passed from wildlife to humans at a kind of so-called exotic meat market in Wuhan, a city in China. Then, a Chinese government official—later seen as a lone wolf not speaking for the pack—blamed the US Army specifically, as opposed to the US Military or CIA as the usual conspiracy theory suspects go. We’ll look at the Army’s place in Chinese politics later.

Upon review, there is a convincing case that the 2019-nCoV had its origin at a military laboratory and got out into the American public last summer before the CDC shut down that laboratory. But, this still doesn’t explain how it would have gotten to Wuhan. And, both China and the US still face scorn for coverups and delayed response.

Then, we have China’s negative PR campaign, two actually. Blaming the US “Army” feeds Chinese kook theory because the Chinese military is called the “Army”. Even China’s Navy is called the “People’s Liberation Army Navy”. It seemed from the outset as intended to tip Chinese cultural sentiment against America, not intending to be based in fact. Now, a few weeks later, the Chinese people fear “foreigners” (Westerners and ‘Black People’). Old Chinese superstition still lingers, that Black People are cursed by the gods or by nature because black is the bad color in their culture.

As anti-foreign sentiment grows in China, the world grows more irritated with China. And, as the WHO digs its heels in on keeping Taiwan out, the world sees China controlling too much of the world through its deep pockets—a concern the international finance community had brought up from an article from Harvard Business Review, How Much Money Does the World Owe China?. When a WHO official hung up on an interview twice, we see that Harvard’s curiosity wasn’t irrelevant.

The world is responding in hatred toward China with such venom, people beat up Asians of any nationality, even those without any connection to China. Yes, the world propped up China for a grand fall into global disfavor. But, China still hasn’t done anything to help itself. One little virus, no matter where it came from, was all it took to push the world over the brink.

China

Best summary of the theory:
The Coronavirus CONSPIRACY – Did COVID-19 Come from America? // YouTube @ Nathan Rich

‘They see my blue eyes then jump back’ – China sees a new wave of xenophobia // Guardian

The Second Virus Shockwave Is Hitting China’s Factories Already // Bloomberg

China is closing itself off as coronavirus cases spike worldwide // CNN

Report: ‘With Cancellation of 21 Million Cellphones…Real Death Toll in China is A Mystery’ // Jeffrey Lord

Spat Between China Diplomats Signals Internal Split Over Trump // Bloomberg

Taiwan

WHO Says It’s Working With Taiwan Experts After Video Goes Viral // Bloomberg

Taiwan Foreign Minister Invites U.S. Reporters Expelled by China // US News

Video: Top WHO doctor Bruce Aylward ends video call after journalist asks about Taiwan’s status // HKFP

How Taiwan fended off the coronavirus // World

Generation next: How the young are changing Taiwan’s politics // Aljazeera

US warship sails through Taiwan Strait amid tensions with China // Aljazeera

How Taiwan handles it…
Taiwan Tourism Bureau recommends hiking Mt. Hehuan peaks // Taiwan News

Taiwan quarantine skipper handed hefty fine for clubbing // Yahoo News

Taiwan & United States: Free-Trade Agreement Would Benefit Both Nations // National Review

Hong Kong

Language barriers: some Hong Kong restaurants still cite Covid-19 in turning away Mandarin speakers – but at what cost? // SCMP

Hong Kong protests: opposition politician arrested under colonial-era offence of sedition after Facebook post about police officer // SCMP

A third wave Hong Kong thought it had a handle on the coronavirus pandemic it doesnt // MarketWatch

Hong Kong police hold anti-terrorism drill amid rising concerns of potential bomb attacks // SCMP