Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, February 8, 2021

Biden doesn’t only continue the stance on China from the previous administration, he seems to be clamping down.

The US sails through the Taiwan Strait, again.

China strong arms Guyana out of an office for Taiwan; the US defends Taiwan.

An Australian reporter was detained by China back in August; we’re just now finding out why—and the abbreviated reasons don’t add up in the minds of her family.

The UK government argues that there is a “very credible case” China is committing the non-killing parts in an act of genocide against the Uighurs of Xinjiang. The British blame Xi Jinping specifically. Responses from China’s government and state-run media are viewed by the British as evidence that the top of China’s government knows what is going on. British Parliament has support from across the political spectrum to take action, even with new legislation empowering the British High Court. The US responds by turning up pressure on China over the Uighurs and on Hong Kong and even Tibet. US Congress, much like the UK, has bipartisan support to stand against China—and the State Department isn’t quiet about it.

Things appear to be entering the later stages of a long campaign to sway public opinion to support Western military action against China. That is necessary, whether justified or unjustified, because Western governments know that they can’t take action without popular support of their people. Such support for action against China is one of the few remaining popular opinions that unite Americans, which puts China at even greater risk should the White House fall out of favor with the people.

China

Uighurs: ‘Credible case’ China carrying out genocide // BBC News

US presses China on Uighurs, HK // Taipei Times

Mass Internment Camps, Forced Population Swap: Is Tibet the Next Xinjiang? // News 18 (India)

China Stockpiles Chips, Chip-Making Machines to Resist U.S. // Bloomberg

Taiwan

US encourages Guyana to build Taiwanese ties // Taipei Times

Guyana pulls out of office deal: MOFA // Taipei Times

U.S. Navy warship sails through Taiwan Strait for first time under Biden’s rule // NBC News

Australia

China confirms detained Australian Cheng Lei is accused of leaking state secrets, as her family break their silence // ABC News Australia

Australian journalist Cheng Lei formally arrested in China, says Foreign Minister Marise Payne // ABC News Australia

Military Faceoff

US Navy plans to ‘recycle’ USS Nimitz, one of the first supercarriers // Business Insider

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