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Stocks A to Z / Stocks T / Tesla (TSLA)
No. of Recommendations: 3
Oddly enough, this isn't getting much coverage.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/china/xi-warned-biden...Xi warned Biden during summit that Beijing will reunify Taiwan with China
The Chinese leader's message in San Francisco got the attention of U.S. officials because it was delivered at a meeting that was intended to reduce tensions. This btw is how the Chinese roll: they don't go to diplomatic exchanges to actually make exchanges, they go to establish dominance and determine who Top Dog is.
WASHINGTON — Chinese President Xi Jinping bluntly told President Joe Biden during their recent summit in San Francisco that Beijing will reunify Taiwan with mainland China but that the timing has not yet been decided, according to three current and former U.S. officials.Actually, it has: 2027, as I've reported on here before. I'm glad that the democrats are all-in behind Joe Biden who will 1 million years old by that time if he wins.
No. of Recommendations: 3
That isn't really news. They have been saying that pretty much every time they meet anyone.
Not that I'm trying to minimize the danger. It is very real. But it isn't new.
No matter who is POTUS, that will be a problem. And the Chinese Navy is strong enough to pose a problem for us. We'd probably still win, but it wouldn't be a slam dunk. Trump arguably made it worse by mostly disengaging from Asia, but the root problem isn't on him. It's been going on since at least the 1990s (when I spent time in Taiwan for work). Probably longer, but that's when I became aware of it.
One key is to provide a unified front among allies (US, Japan, Australia, maybe Britain). If we don't waver, they will think twice. They may still do something really stupid since they're obsessed with the notion that Taiwan belongs to them. However, starting a war with your biggest customers isn't a great idea (we buy a lot of Chinese crap). They are having a lot of economic problems already, and that would make them worse (e.g. a likely embargo of all things "made in China").
No. of Recommendations: 1
I also note that they think they South China Sea all the way down to the Spratly Islands belongs to them, and they are attacking Filipino boats (mostly with water cannons) that venture into that area, even though China lost all of their appeals in the international courts regarding those claims (i.e. they are Filipino islands, not Chinese).
I am expecting things to devolve further, but then I'm a pessimist about some things.
No. of Recommendations: 2
I also note that they think they South China Sea all the way down to the Spratly Islands belongs to them, and they are attacking Filipino boats (mostly with water cannons) that venture into that area, even though China lost all of their appeals in the international courts regarding those claims (i.e. they are Filipino islands, not Chinese.
Yes, Spratlys are in the Filipino EEC. They do ram a boat periodically, last one was a supply ship to the grounded boat where Filipino sailors live on an island. China was making overtures to split the oil revenue from the EEC, but that approach has stalled I think. Duterte started reversing his friendship with China and we did get permission for bases. Bong Bong and Sarah Duterte seem friendly.
China seems to not bother Malaysia, but Indonesia has sunk a couple of Chinese fishing boats. Vietnam is not friendly bordering to hostile with China. S Korea is not friendly with China. Laos seems friendly, or at least in debt.
Singapore has strong ties to China, but has not supported the 9 dash line and Terrex vehicles used in War Games with Taiwan were seized in hong Kong port. So ?
No. of Recommendations: 0
We hear a lot of the Aussies, Japanese, and us. But it would be interesting if Vietnam joined the team. And Indonesia couldn't hurt. That's one reason why it's important to maintain good relations with allies, and potential allies. Something this administration is attempting to do.
The treat of 1951 does require the US to join the Philippines should hostilities break-out. I would say ramming, and even the water cannon, qualifies. Though I don't know if the Philippines has to make a formal request, or we can take the initiative just based on observations. Certainly, the next time one of their ships gets too close to an Arleigh-Burke, we should sink it instead of try to avoid it. We can't play their games. Though Xi will lose "face", which is potentially problematic as he may escalate.
No. of Recommendations: 2
We hear a lot of the Aussies, Japanese, and us. But it would be interesting if Vietnam joined the team. And Indonesia couldn't hurt. That's one reason why it's important to maintain good relations with allies, and potential allies. Something this administration is attempting to do.
Absolutely! I think we can count India, Britain, and Canada in too. Allies are very worthwhile, and about the time we are questioning wqhether we really need to maintain an alliance, something happens and the importance of maintaining alliances is underscored.
The treat of 1951 does require the US to join the Philippines should hostilities break-out.
Yes, and I can tell you when China started misbehaving the NAVY boys didn't quite know what to think about that treaty.
I would say ramming, and even the water cannon, qualifies. Though I don't know if the Philippines has to make a formal request, or we can take the initiative just based on observations.
Ooh, when Duterte came into power he was pro China and was hostile to the US in his speeches. Remember when he avoided Obama? He had met with the Chinese prior to his run and it appeared they financed him. CVhina laid off for a while. Duterte flew to China with a Chinese rifle to give to XI that he claimed killed some rebels that were actually killed by Israeli gear. There was some hostility in the Philippines toward the us for a bit. Then Duterte changed his tune and the US came back into favor again. The Chinese mapped out the ocean floor east of the Philippines and began giving Chinese names to features there.
Certainly, the next time one of their ships gets too close to an Arleigh-Burke, we should sink it instead of try to avoid it. We can't play their games. Though Xi will lose "face", which is potentially problematic as he may escalate.
There is a time and place to escalate, but for right now we do FONOPs and let the Chinese be belligerent as it helps cement alliances. We shot ourselves in the foot by getting out of the treaty.
No. of Recommendations: 1
Poor 401K'ers.
China is a Blue State that they love.
But Taiwan could hurt the sacred 401K's.
Oh what to do.