Cadence of Conflict: Asia, October 28, 2019

China is playing a dark game with Taiwan over the murder suspect in the case that sparked the spark of the Hong Kong liberation protests. A young man from Hong Kong traveled to Taiwan with his girlfriend where he murdered her, then returned to Hong Kong. Because China plays politics with Taiwan, Beijing refused every channel of cooperation with Taipei to bring the suspect to justice. The only way Beijing would allow the arrested suspect to be transferred to Taiwan for prosecution is with a sweeping extradition bill that would allow any Chinese court to demand the extradition of anyone in Hong Kong to China.

Now, Hong Kong has released the suspect, arguing that a criminal is on the loose in Hong Kong because Taiwan won’t accept Chinese dictated rule.

We are witnessing the faceoff of Chinese Confucianism vs Western Christendom, a conflict which has been brewing for two thousand years. This is happening in our day. Many in the West said that Confucian Shame cannot be overcome, even with the Christian message of forgiveness and reconciliation. Others have said that nothing can ever stop China because big countries always win. All of these claims are about to be tested and proven wrong. Hard times lie ahead, but not all hardship ends badly.

Great Pacific

Taiwan representative office in New Zealand relocates after Huawei buys building // Taiwan News

Hong Kong Becoming ‘Criminal Paradise’: Taiwan Lashes Out at Lam // Yahoo News

Australian think tank urges China to quit making loans to South Pacific countries // Taiwan News

China

Trump advisor Navarro fighting ‘Phase One’ of China trade deal: sources // CNBC

Mike Pence criticises NBA as ‘wholly owned subsidiary’ of China // BBC News

VP Pence Takes Aim at Nike, NBA in China Speech // VOA

Vice President Pence to walk a tightrope in China speech amid trade deal hopes // Yahoo News

Long-Awaited Pence Speech on China Comes at Pivotal Time in Trade Talks // Yahoo News

US trade war could impact China’s ability to manufacture rival to Airbus, Boeing, designer says // SCMP

Trade War: China Uses WTO To Get Even With The US // Forbes

China doubles value of infrastructure project approvals to stave off economic slowdown amid trade war // SCMP

China silences critics by denying access to its economy // Aljazeera

Taiwan

Taiwan talk show host goes on 10-minute tirade about Han // Taiwan News

Why Taipei is the best city in Asia right now // Independent

Visiting Taipei makes my dream come true: Will Smith // chinapost.nownews.com

Will Smith tries Taiwanese food at Taipei’s Ningxia Night Market // Taiwan News

Hong Kong

President of Hong Kong Polytechnic University Teng Jin-guang refuses to shake hands with students who wore masks during graduation ceremony // SCMP

Hong Kong Protests Set for 21st Weekend as Unrest Circles Globe // Yahoo News

Sophia Huang: China #MeToo activist who joined Hong Kong protests detained, friends say // CNN

Hong Kong police have ‘unwavering support’, Beijing says after remark by city’s leader Carrie Lam // SCMP

Hong Kong protests will have ‘unbearable and devastating consequences’, Chinese state media says // SCMP

‘We stand with you’: Pence to Hong Kong protesters // Yahoo News

Hong Kong protests: China extradition bill officially killed as Beijing ‘considers replacing Carrie Lam’ // Independent

Hong Kong protests: from throwing bricks at police vans to becoming experts at putting out tear gas, meet the teenagers who are risking it all for their ideals // SCMP

Fears Are Growing Among Mainland Chinese Living in Hong Kong // Yahoo News

Xi Jinping’s threats of ‘crushed bodies and shattered bones’ are an echo of another violent past // HKFP

Hong Kong protests: police fire water cannon, blue dye at mosque, tear gas // WA Post

Military

Thought the F-35 Was Powerful? You Don’t Know What Is Coming Next. // National Interest

The $13-Billion ‘Barge’? The U.S. Navy’s Newest Aircraft Carrier Can’t Deploy // Yahoo News

Meet the XQ-58A Valkyrie: The F-35’s Future Robot Sidekick // Yahoo News