Prelude to Conflict: Asia, January 19

Prelude

All eyes turn to Tainan, Taiwan. Mayor Lai refuses to attend city council meetings until the investigation of the speaker’s dubious election is resolved. A political opponent holds a sign on the council floor referring to “Emperor Lai”. Beijing’s new commercial flight lines, abruptly announced and unusually close to Taiwan sovereign airspace, come in the context of anti-[pro-Beijing]-incumbent elections, such as Lai’s re-election with 72.9%. The defeated party has a record of being favored by China. Hong Kong took the higher road, Joshua Wong (黃之鋒) was released without charges, yet. This further reduces reasons for protests. The HK CEO suspects unnamed foreign power influence, typical of both the West’s messiah complex and Beijing’s paranoia. Everything is ongoing.

Taiwan

CAA, military reject China flight routes

Taiwan takes air route issue to ICAO

Six indicted in Chinese espionage ring case

Tainan councilor slams Mayor Lai over ‘no-show’

HK

Joshua Wong and Scholarism members released without charge after reporting to police

‘It’s better than nothing’: British Foreign Office backs Beijing’s reform framework for Hong Kong

CY Leung repeats claim of ‘external forces’ influencing Occupy – but provides no evidence

China

China stocks suffer biggest one-day tumble since June 2008

Time – China’s Boom Is Over — and Here’s What You Can Do About It

China’s Special Operation Forces have limited capacity compared with America’s

…Analytical collection of various articles, including translation from Chinese.

Leave a Reply