There are no new developments with China, only old squabbles. China is shouting louder and louder, and Western media publish more in-depth stories outlining the many countries China has squabbles with. China is losing over the TikTok ordeal, as well as companies that helped build artificial islands which were not supposed to be military bases anyway, but somehow became military bases anyway. Sanctions fly from the US, as well as diplomats to Taiwan.
At the UN, Russia said a few words leaning in China’s direction, but that’s quite a tall order to expect Russia to devote resources helping China win every territorial squabble with India, Taiwan, the US, and Japan. Russia will more likely condemn the West with soft tones, then offer China moral support after its inevitable humiliation.
Humiliation is a funny thing. That seems to be China’s perspective all around. China feels humiliated and thinks humiliating others will solve its humiliation problems at home. China wants to own Taiwan because China feels humiliation for various and sundry reasons often created in attempt to escape humiliation. China may even think a Taiwan “D-Day”, or “T-Day” would lead to victory—forgetting that Normandy was about free allies reclaiming lost land from expansionists. China has no alliance, China would be the expansionists, and the free people would be defending their homes. Humiliation blinds us and drives us to do crazy things. Russia knows this and plays for any opportunity—not to help China, but to manipulate China through the paradigm of humiliation China just can’t let go of.
Trade & Tech
China Says It Will Act If U.S. Persists on WeChat, TikTok Ban // Bloomberg
China’s ByteDance aims to keep majority stake in TikTok in Oracle deal // MarketWatch
China
China is doubling down on its territorial claims: here’s what you need to know // CNN
Says China:
Time for China to toughen up on insincere India // Global Times (China Govt)
US sanctions China’s biggest chipmaker // Financial Times
China says US has ‘created enough troubles for the world’ as UN spat continues // CNN
China forces 500,000 Tibetans into labour camps // Sydney Morning Herald
US spy planes posing as airliners ‘serious threat’ in South China Sea // SCMP
US issues new travel warning on China, Hong Kong // Taipei Times
Taiwan
Is mainland China gearing up for an invasion of Taiwan? // RFI
True about life in Taiwan…
Photo of the Day: Taiwan encapsulated in one photo // Taiwan News
Toronto TECO director calls for Taiwan support // Taiwan News
Tensions rise across the Taiwan Strait as Taipei test-fires missiles // SCMP
Tsai pledges to defend ROC’s airspace // Taipei Times
Swedish lawmaker motions to formalize office in Taiwan // Taiwan News
China’s Rejection of Taiwan Buffer Zone Raises Risk of Clash // Bloomberg
Taiwan has once-in-a-lifetime chance to forge new alliances // Taiwan News
China Sends Warning to U.S. and Taiwan With Aerial Drill // NY Times
Trump Administration readies major arms sale to Taiwan // CNN
As Europe’s China scepticism grows, a glimmer of hope for Taiwan // Aljazeera
Chinese warship sails past Taiwan’s east coast // Taiwan News
Taiwan Aims to Help Foreign Air Forces Fix F-16 Fighter Jets, a Stab at China // VOA
Hong Kong
Hong Kong opens wider questions
Hong Kongers, Don’t Idolize the U.K. // The Atlantic
Hong Kong Is a Troubling Case Study in the Death of Democracy // Wired