Pro-China legislators blocked the swearing-in of pro-Independence lawmakers in Hong Kong. Pro-Independence activists from Hong Kong told Taiwanese not to give up on independence. China said that independence for either Taiwan or Hong Kong is a “futile” plot. Then, Hong Kong told Taiwan not to meddle in other countries’ affairs.
Taiwan’s former president from the former-controlling party faces charges of leaking secrets of the State. That former-controlling party is working on formulating its opinion of Taiwan and China, while the newly-controlling party’s administration investigates the former president.
The Philippines won’t be cooperating with the US Navy anytime soon. Old traditions are over. Philippine military leadership wants China to make the first move in the South Sea, but China already has, especially with the man-made islands.
China also made the first move in Hong Kong’s independence movement. Without the change to vet politicians in advance, rather than vet HK laws after the fact, HK’s Independence movement might not have had enough wind to be what it is. Likewise, the Western press continues to publish stories casting doubt on China’s economy, based on debt. China’s press responds by casting doubt on the Western stories that cast doubt.
The trend seems to be announcing opinions about other countries’ opinions about their opinions. So much opining about opining almost resembles pre-WWII Europe.
The best-kept secret seems to be that everyone’s money is based on debt in this brave, new world, including pre-WWII Germany.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Legislators Stop Pro-Independence Lawmakers From Taking Oath | NY Times
China says Taiwan, Hong Kong activists hatching ‘futile’ independence plots | Reuters
HK activist urges Taiwan to strive for independence | Taipei Times
HK warns Taiwan not to meddle | Taipei Times
Taiwan
Caucus seeks KMT-wide ‘one China’ policy | Taipei Times
Ma faces Taipei District Court date next month | Taipei Times
Philippines
PH wants China to make first move on S. China Sea row | ABS-CBN
No PH-US joint patrols in Scarborough: Yasay | ABS-CBN
Chinese Money
China plenum: Looking for clues on China’s economy | BBC
3 Graphs That Show What’s Going On In China’s Housing Market Right Now | Forbes
Why fears of mass capital flight from China are overblown | SCMP