The West and China just won’t back down from each other. China will no longer try to work through former Mayor Han of Kaohsiung to reunite Taiwan against the will of 23 million people. America wants to put new missiles in China’s back yard and every ally has turned down the offer except Taiwan, who hasn’t had the chance. Australia is putting out the word on China, it’s not the best place to study and coercion won’t work. Now, North Korea is selling sand—illegally, of course, since selling anything has been deemed “illegal” by the West.
The sad part about the predictability of this conflict is how many were surprised by it. China never wanted to Westernize, otherwise it wouldn’t have injected so many “Confucian” centers to indoctrinate other countries with their ancient Chinese ideals. All those students and propagandists from China were welcomed to teach Chinese or learn from the West, but when their Confucian-Communist colors shown, it all unraveled in a flash. Both professors and businesses that received Chinese money are sent packing.
But, we were always headed here. When ideological differences spread too broad, irreconcilable differences are destined to break whatever scaffolding temporarily binds us together. To those who saw it, they haven’t been affected by the divide. For the rest, the damage hurts to much not to blame and rage. And, that will only build.
Great Pacific
Australian official urges students to consider studying there as China claims racism // CNBC
Australia won’t be intimidated by China’s ‘coercion’, prime minister says // SCMP
China
Danger ahead: US bumps in China’s global belt and road // SCMP
Signs of infighting surface among Chinese leadership // Taiwan News
Taiwan
Is rare US military flight over Taiwan a sign of more to come? // SCMP
Chinese warplanes enter Taiwan Strait after US flyover // SCMP
If China Invades Taiwan, This Is What The Fleet Could Look Like // Forbes
City speaker jumps to death after Taiwan mayor recall vote // This is Money
S. Taiwan city council speaker’s suicide overshadows recall vote // Taiwan News
Korean Peninsula
North Korea is making millions selling sand. Yes, sand. // CNN
Military Faceoff