Cadence of Conflict: Asia, September 7, 2020

As Philippa Georgiou said to Leland in the season 2 finale of Start Trek: Discovery, “We were just talking about you. Everybody hates you. Congratulations.” It goes without mention which country that statement is most relevant for, today.

The Czech mayor of Prague rebuked China publicly and officially, using profanities. France and Germany did as much, in their less-these-days European forms of “diplomacy”. Israel gave the green light on travel to Taiwan, not China—making an even stronger distinction difficult for Beijing to erase. Turkey and Pakistan seek closer trade with Taiwan, not China. Real estate in Hong Kong is crumbling in reaction to a certain law that wasn’t made in Hong Kong, but was made in Mainland China.

A Chinese jet reportedly crashed in Guangxi, according to a viral video. Some speculated that the jet was struck by what some think could have been an anti-aircraft defense missile from Taiwan. There was no evidence to this. Taiwan denies this. And, China won’t even confirm that a jet crashed. Why?

Could it have been malfunction? Could it have been a US submarine—or a flying saucer—sending a message to Beijing that Chinese reverse-engineered jets are no match against the jets of the West they reverse-engineered? Either way, China has yet another reason to back off, but don’t expect it.

Taiwan redesigned its passport to make its proper title “Republic of China” look much smaller, minimizing the word “China” while celebrating the word “Taiwan”. This runs contrary to a trend of companies taking strange strides to reflect affiliation with China. Consider LinkedIn changing the display of “Hong Kong” to “Hong Kong SAR”, effective October 12, even though it seems strange English wording on a social media site. With airlines and companies like LinkedIn towing the line for Beijing Mandarin-speakers’ preference of how the English world should talk, Taiwan making the word “China” smaller on new passports could be considered provocative. It could even be a threat to China’s national security—something that proves very easily threatened.

Then, there’s India.

The China-India border is starting to look like a siege; the castle wall being the Himalayas. Tanks on each side are in shooting range of the other. Talks are scheduled. And, India said it hoped diplomacy was the best answer while at the same time banning another Chinese social app.

It seems these days that diplomacy is just another hoop to jump through—as necessary as it is useless—on our way to war with a country whose leaders think alienation is the best way to make friends. Short of a miracle, diplomatic or otherwise, war with China seems inevitable.

China

How China’s new language policy sparked rare backlash in Inner Mongolia // CNN

Europe Just Declared Independence From China // Bloomberg

China may dump U.S. Treasuries as Sino-U.S. tensions flare // Yahoo News

South China Sea: Beijing warns Asean members against backing ‘troublemaker’ US in region // SCMP

The Czechs are giving Europe a lesson on how to deal with China // WA Post

China leading US in ships, missiles, air defense systems: Pentagon report // Taiwan News

How a Politician’s Death Deepened the Czech Rift With China // Bloomberg

China is aiming to double the size of its nuclear arsenal, Pentagon report says // CNN

Czech and the EU too
Germany tells China to stop making threats over Taiwan, Hong Kong // Business Insider

Taiwan

Has Taiwan Shot-Down Chinese SU-35 Fighter Jet For Violating Its Airspace? // EurAsian Times

Taiwan’s darker side:
Certified companies among importers of fake ‘Made-in-Taiwan’ masks // Taiwan News

China plane crash: Taiwan accused of shooting down fighter jet with missile defence system // Express

New Turkish envoy eager to advance Taiwan-Turkey ties // Taiwan News

Pakistan pursues trade ties with Taiwan // Taiwan News

Taiwan Minimizes ‘Republic of China’ in Redesigned Passport // Bloomberg

Israel adds Taiwan to list of ‘green countries’ // Taiwan News

Taiwan contest invites public to vote on creative passport designs // CNN

Taiwan major general charged in corruption scandal // Taiwan News

Taiwan’s redesigned passport shrinks words ‘Republic of China’ // BBC News

US declassifies Taiwan security assurances // Financial Times

Demands apology in 24 hours!
Czech mayor calls CCP ‘rude clowns’ after threats over Taiwan trip // Taiwan News

China threatens Czech Senate Speaker Vystrcil over Taiwan visit // CNBC

Hong Kong

Hong Kong protests: Nearly 300 activists arrested // CNN

Hong Kong, Singapore Property Will Part Ways // Bloomberg

Disney’s ‘Mulan’ faces boycott calls from activists in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand // NBC News

‘Mulan’ boycott: Pro-democracy activists rally over the lead actress’ support for Hong Kong police // CNN

Jimmy Lai: Hong Kong tycoon found not guilty in intimidation trial // BBC News

Why keep Hong Kong’s light show going with no tourists, artist asks as part of show exploring his personal and political fascination with lights // SCMP

India

PUBG: India bans Tencent game in latest crackdown on Chinese apps // CNN

Indian, Chinese tanks within shooting range of each other at disputed border // Taiwan News

India accuses China of ‘provocative military movements’ at border // BBC News

India accuses China of ‘provocative military movements’ on border // CNN