China’s changes include finances as well as politics. As the US unrelentingly inches toward absolute denuclearization of North Korea—one way or another—China delays solidarity at the UN. China has no lack of mixed messages in other areas, such as Taiwan.
Stepping up military drills near Taiwan while becoming more economically friendly to Taiwanese isn’t exactly something that causes democratic voters to fall in love with a nation without elected official term limits. Some Taiwanese will take advantage of the economic favoritism, but those will probably be the kind of companies run by bosses who have a moderately high turnover rate coupled with complaints about overbearing, old school Asian leadership style. When China suddenly changes colors again, they could lose their companies, all depending on what Chinese “national security interest” needs arise with the sun. That will become an unanticipated economic edge to “isolationist” companies that remain in Taiwan and prefer a “flattened-out” administrative structure. Notwithstanding, experts claim it could all backfire.
Then there is Korea and Vietnam. China won’t need to worry about US intervention stealing its customers in North Korea much longer since that customer will soon cease to exist. Calling off a potential meeting between Pyongyang and Washington officials at the Winter Games involved Kim Jong Un’s sister being present. It indicates paranoia; Un is evidently concerned about a coup. He should be. Many of his officials had just jumped decades forward in time travel, also called “crossing the border”, when they saw the life, joy, happiness, technology, and pleasures of the modern world. Top North Korean brass will pine to return and Un’s sister knew they would. Calling off the meeting only alerted the world to Pyongyang feeling threatened.
So much said in a denial. US Congress unanimously passes the “Taiwan Travel Act”, essentially allowing every diplomat even up to Trump and Tsai to meet face-to-face, in public, in celebratory AKA “respectful” conditions. But, the US media—always asking for bipartisanship—doesn’t care to report the passage of the unanimous bill. That means that the bill may actually accomplish something, and that is why China is furious, depending on the occasion of course.
The US sending 5,000 troops to stop in Vietnam for the first time in 40 years should be more disconcerting to China that the passage of any bill or the blockage of any trade ships with North Korea. Of course, China says that they have no interest disturbing the international status quo and they respect other countries, albiet the “Xi Thought” includes, more importantly than removal of term limits, that the entire world is China’s responsibility.
While the West would paint China as a villain, nothing could be farther from the truth. After all, a police officer didn’t even need permission to catch a girl falling from the forth floor. Her grandmother had locked herself outside of her own apartment and the key smith scared the girl into climbing out the window. The police officer caught the girl, both were hospitalized. And, of course, ruling party officials from China made sure to visit and congratulate the officer for such quick thinking.
Then, we have Google and Apple courting more favor with China. Maps and Translate are back, with a China-controlled remix, of course. National security is vital. But, therein lies a cloaked warning. China is already under attack by the West. Soon-to-be non-Communist and united Korea, US-Friendly Vietnam, soldiers waiting to flex their muscles in India, diplomatic visits to Taiwan, not to mention the ever pro-US Japan—China is surrounded.
This is dangerous. All that needs to happen is for China to send out its military like King John’s Crusade, then Apple and Google will have no opposition re-educating China’s population, without soldiers to protect what’s happening at home. It would be best for China to refortify and give Apple and Google the boot, but who is the West to give China any suggestion. The West has money and power, so they clearly don’t understand.
We live in historic times.
China
China: Abolishing presidential term limits good for governance | Aljazeera
With eye on U.S., China to revamp top tier of diplomats – sources | Yahoo – Reuters
China hedge funds suffer in debt crackdown | Financial Times
China is recruiting a new wave of astronauts from its civilians | Quartz
Trump trade war: China vows retaliation if tariffs bite | BBC
Trump aides defend tariffs move as Europe and China decry ‘trade war’ | Guardian
China official in hospital after catching falling girl | BBC
Chinese military not a threat, NPC spokesman says | Taipei Times
After China Got Mad, Marriott Fired a Social Media Manager for Liking a Tweet About Tibet | Gizmodo
Google Stumbles Back to China | The Diplomat
North Korea
High-level Seoul officials to head to North Korea for talks | AP
China tells US to stop unilateral North Korea actions | DW
North Korea ready to talk; US says ‘denuclearise’ | Aljazeera
South Korea sending envoys to North Korea as Trump suggests U.S. willing to talk | Yahoo – Reuters
US should lower ‘threshold for talks’ with N. Korea: Seoul | Yahoo – AFP
Pence was ready to talk to North Korea but they cancelled meeting: U.S. | CTV News
At U.N., China delays U.S. bid to blacklist ships, companies over N.Korea | Nasdaq
International Relations
China extends ‘unprecedented’ benefits to Taiwanese | Taipei Times
Beijing shake-up to result in increased restrictions | Taipei Times
US aircraft carrier heads to Vietnam as China’s rise brings old enemies together | Express
US Senate passes Taiwan Travel Act | Taipei Times