Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, December 27, 2021

Japan is on the scene in the Pacific. While Japanese athletes will attend the Olympics, Japanese officials will not. China doesn’t want Japan to “politicize” the games. But, consider 2008, the one-hour opening ceremony about nothing but China’s history, with President Xi marching in to a one-world dream at the end. For Beijing, hosting the Olympics is nothing but an opportunity to exhibit a grandiosity complex on a global scale.

By choosing China again, the Olympic committee handed the microphone to the fool. Japanese will go to the Olympics, except that they won’t; that’s the perfect East Asian insult. Japan is being an excellent member of the crowd, cheering on the fool.

But, the Olympics aren’t Japan’s only action. Manufacturing very-much-needed chips with Taiwan, as well as US battle plans for a Taiwan incident are right at the top. Make no mistake: this week, Japan sounded the alarm on China and the Chinese are terrified.

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, December 6, 2021

This week, Slovokia cozies up to Taiwan. This is dangerously close to the Czech Republic. Formerly, the two were “Czechoslovakia” until 1993. Pacific Daily Times has some dark information about Taiwan’s poor treatment of a Czech citizen. As calls to different levels of Taiwan’s government have gone unanswered or refused, Taiwan could face major challenges while cozying up to Eastern Europe, but refusing to redress a laundry list of egregious mistreatment of foreign visitors. An exclusive PDT interview is in the works.

Ironically, Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe said this week, “A stronger Taiwan, a thriving Taiwan, and a Taiwan that guarantees freedom and human rights are also in Japan’s interests. Of course, this is also in the interest of the whole world.” Abe doesn’t know that his statement is an indictment against Taiwan with Czech as witness.

For too long, the Times has sat on the darker side of Taiwan. The world doesn’t know what it is getting into as the West paints Taiwan as the adorable poster boy. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen’s words were correct in 2020, that Taiwan is a vibrant democracy worth saving. But, it is up to the government of Taiwan to make the necessary amends to repair decades of unreported hatred fostered among foreigners who visit Taiwan. And, it is up to the Taiwanese people to become both aware and concerned enough to compel their own democratic government to make such amends.

Meanwhile, Bret Baier asked Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin for his thoughts on China’s incursion of Taiwan’s airspace. Austin publicly said that they look like “rehearsals” for war. Baier asked directly what the US would do if “China invades Taiwan”.

Chinese invasion of Taiwan is being asked openly and simply. This is a major turn of events, that the Western press believes questions about Taiwan can be asked without needing to re-educate the public about Taiwan’s history with China. Taiwan is on the map, namely as China’s first invasion target. All eyes of the world may soon turn toward Taiwan, like eyes of the universe turned toward Arrakis in the fictional story Dune. But, the bigger news will be how Taiwan decides to change its treatment toward visitors from the world when that happens.

Indo-Pacific

Indonesia’s Mount Semeru: At least 14 dead after volcano erupts // CNN

Japan, US ‘could not stand by’: Abe // Taipei Times

Trade & Tech

Elon Musk Needs China. China Needs Him. The Relationship Is Complicated. // WSJ

Trade between Taiwan and Singapore surges 36% // Taiwan News

Taiwan

Video interview:
Lloyd Austin says increased China activity near Taiwan ‘looks like rehearsal’ // Fox News

Chinese military flights near Taiwan look like ‘rehearsals’- Pentagon chief // Yahoo News

Pentagon chief says China ops near Taiwan resemble ‘rehearsals’ // France 24

Delegation from Slovakia arrives to bolster ties // Taipei Times

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, December 6, 2021

Indo-Pacific

Indonesia’s Mount Semeru: At least 14 dead after volcano erupts // CNN

Japan, US ‘could not stand by’: Abe // Taipei Times

Trade & Tech

Elon Musk Needs China. China Needs Him. The Relationship Is Complicated. // WSJ

Trade between Taiwan and Singapore surges 36% // Taiwan News

Taiwan

Video interview:
Lloyd Austin says increased China activity near Taiwan ‘looks like rehearsal’ // Fox News

Chinese military flights near Taiwan look like ‘rehearsals’- Pentagon chief // Yahoo News

Pentagon chief says China ops near Taiwan resemble ‘rehearsals’ // France 24

Delegation from Slovakia arrives to bolster ties // Taipei Times

Symphony

Encore of Revival: America, December 6, 2021

At 98 years old, Bob Dole is dead. He ran for president against Clinton in 1996. After losing, Clinton awarded him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Chris Cuomo, also known in some food establishments and to the late Rush Limbaugh as “Fredo”, has been fired from CNN.

Tomorrow marks the 80th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack from Japan. Today, things are very different as Japan looks together with the US toward defending against China. Seeing China as Japan’s adversary, however, has not changed. Bitter roots remain between the two, and those roots will sprout if China tips the apple cart by invading Taiwan.

Big in the West is that naming “Taiwan” fits more in Western news than it did even a month ago. And, Japan is also involved, as it was 80 years ago, when Bob Dole was 18. He went off to war, as many young Americans may do soon.

Russia is amassing troops near the Ukraine. In the context of China’s aggression toward Taiwan, we can expect Russia not to come to China’s defense, but to bust a move while the world is distracted with poster boy “Taiwan” more than with forgotten poster boy “Ukraine”.

This global mayhem is easier to sustain with two variants of COVID, with lockdown, quarantine, and vaccine requirements increasing. It is in this worldwide situation of sustained chaos and control that China and Russia are ready to bust a move. That will awaken the West.

Republicans

Bob Dole, giant of the Senate and 1996 Republican presidential nominee, dies // CNN

News Media, Journalism & Free speech

Lawyer: Chris Cuomo accuser was disgusted by ‘hypocrisy’ // AP

CNN fires Chris Cuomo // CNN

Pandemic

More omicron detected as hospitals strain under delta surge // AP

America and Europe choose divergent pandemic paths as Omicron spreads // Axios

COVID-19: Vaccines mandatory in some sectors // Taipei Times

Australia Confirms Community Transmission of Omicron Variant // Bloomberg

COVID live updates: Queensland to drop quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated interstate travellers from December 13 // ABC News Australia

Australia news LIVE: NSW COVID cases grow, Victoria COVID cases grow, Omicron variant cases grow, TGA approves Pfizer vaccine for children, Gladys Berejiklian considers Warringah seat run at 2022 federal election // Sydney Morning Herald

NATO Focus

Russia planning massive military offensive against Ukraine involving 175,000 troops, U.S. intelligence warns // MSN News

Symphony

Encore of Revival: America, December 6, 2021

At 98 years old, Bob Dole is dead. He ran for president against Clinton in 1996. After losing, Clinton awarded him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Chris Cuomo, also known in some food establishments and to the late Rush Limbaugh as “Fredo”, has been fired from CNN.

Republicans

Bob Dole, giant of the Senate and 1996 Republican presidential nominee, dies // CNN

News Media, Journalism & Free speech

Lawyer: Chris Cuomo accuser was disgusted by ‘hypocrisy’ // AP

CNN fires Chris Cuomo // CNN

Pandemic

More omicron detected as hospitals strain under delta surge // AP

America and Europe choose divergent pandemic paths as Omicron spreads // Axios

COVID-19: Vaccines mandatory in some sectors // Taipei Times

Australia Confirms Community Transmission of Omicron Variant // Bloomberg

COVID live updates: Queensland to drop quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated interstate travellers from December 13 // ABC News Australia

NATO Focus

Russia planning massive military offensive against Ukraine involving 175,000 troops, U.S. intelligence warns // MSN News

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, August 30, 2021

Adversity creates alliance. If China’s goal was to unite the world, it is succeeding. Taiwan and Japan are getting cozier than ever, as are Taiwan and the EU. The shift is happening and maps may need to be redrawn.

The logical outcome is the UK returning all of Hong Kong—including the New Territories—to the British Commonwealth, while Taiwan, Japan, and likely a to-be-united Korea become at least commonwealths of a US-Canada reach. This would be valuable because it places liaison states near each other in the Far East. Britain would have a formal government in Hong Kong. The US and Canada would have nearby governments via Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. So, traveling between the US, Britain, and the rest of Asia could all be done through the Taiwan Strait and South Sea.

From a geo-political planning perspective, it would be well-organized. In light of the PDT Asia Mad Scientist Theorem, we could suspect this is being planned. Based on that, failed control systems in North Korea were not only meant to be implemented in China, but also to eventually annex North Korea under Seoul’s government. When later applied via China’s policy, that would trigger events that later subject all of China under a regional cooperation headed by Western governments from both sides of the Atlantic. In other words, North Korea is a test to oppress, fail, and unite under democracy. That test eventually applies to make China fail, then China would be forced to accept formal friendliness with Britain and the US via Taiwan-Japan-Korea states under the US and a Hong Kong province under Britain. The thought is chilling for Chinese Communists.

But, that’s where things are headed. When China objects to a country talking with Taiwan, no one cares anymore. China’s opinion has been reduced to global insignificance—a living hell for respect-obsessed Chinese leaders. Sending more and more military to places without global agreement, then defending itself with insignificant opinions, tightens the noose. China remains its own worst enemy, not only in military defeat, but also inviting its region of the world to be willfully subjected under Western governments.

It is as if the whole thing is planned, and China keeps dancing on cue.

Taiwan

More than half of US support defense of Taiwan: survey // Taipei Times

Taiwan, Japan ruling parties talk trade // Taipei Times

EU committee to discuss Taiwan ties this week // Taipei Times

Military Faceoff

US warship, cutter transit Taiwan Strait // Taipei Times

Analysis: In the turbulent South China Sea, the US Navy bets on a troubled warship // CNN

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Commences Planned Incremental Availability – Naval News // Naval News

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, August 9, 2021

India has an aircraft carrier. It just finished its maiden voyage in China’s backyard. Those shipping lanes—one third of ocean-faring trade traffic—which China wants to claim by planting islands next to—most of them pass India. If any of them have traffic trouble, India will have reason to sail to the South Sea and clear up the cause of traffic congestion—or what some might call trade blocking.

India isn’t the only nation with a navy on the rise. Britain has its new aircraft carrier in the area. Germany wants to join the party. South Korea will join a scheduled US Navy exercise. And, the Japanese want to hire the British carrier builders to make their helicopter carriers F-35-ready. India’s carrier was built by a collection of 500 companies. If anything went nuts in the Taiwan Strait or the South Sea or the Sea of Japan, moving over to the Indian Ocean wouldn’t be a wonderful option since India already has its patrol.

Navies are snowballing in the East. If there’s money to be made in a Pacific scuffle, the convenient logistics of already having so many at the party could push the timing. Those islands-nations are in tumultuous waters.

Indo-Pacific

From late last week, what brought us here:
China is doubling down on its territorial claims and that’s causing conflict across Asia // CNN

China

China doubles down on baseless ‘US origins’ Covid conspiracy as Delta outbreak worsens // CNN

Taiwan

China’s Ban on Taiwan Pineapples Backfires as New Buyers Step In // Yahoo Finance

Military Faceoff

Aircraft carrier Liaoning’s latest voyage lays down foundation for enhanced night combat – Global Times // Global Times (China Govt)

S. Korea to conduct military exercise with US as planned // Bloomberg

India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant successfully completes five-day maiden sea voyage // Economic Times

Japan Wants Its Helicopter Carriers to Be Compatible With U.S. Fighter Jets // National Interest

A Ballistic Missile Submarine Shortage Could Spell Disaster for the U.S. Navy // National Interest

German warship heads for South China Sea // CNN

Warship positions faked including UK aircraft carrier // BBC News

India to deploy naval task force into South China Sea and beyond // CNN

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, July 19, 2021

China faces a three-pronged attack in the realm of public opinion. The Olympics converge with COVID; the third is three levelings up in Chinese military aggression.

COVID is seen in the public eye as having mainly originated from China. Even with conspiracy theories surrounding Faucci and Gates, no explanation lets China off the hook. That actually works to argue against the conspiracy theories—if they were true, they would seem to give China an alibi, but they don’t. Every noteworthy theory on the COVID origin points to China.

Now, COVID is crashing the Olympics in Japan.

This makes an additional bad connotation against China and the Olympics. So, with China wanting to host the 2022 Olympics, boycotts against China can be expected even from the Japanese. Then, other countries will feel comfortable joining the anti-China Olympic boycott. Such boycotts from across the globe will achieve two things: fueling popular hatred against China and inflaming China’s emotional-shame reaction. The Chinese government will dig in its heels and the world will want the Chinese dead where they stand.

But, adding to both sentiments are China’s military saber rattling. Surprise military drills within 300 miles of Taiwan, a step up in Chinese vessels observing a US-Australia navy drill, threats to nuke Japan if Japan honors a treaty to defend Taiwan from invasion—these also enrage the non-Chinese public against China. China has the control to stop global anti-China sentiment: stop giving excuses. But, that is a course of action that emotionally-driven shame doesn’t understand. And, no one expects this response better than the masterminds of the West.

Indo-Pacific

Nukes!
China threatens to nuke Japan if country intervenes in Taiwan conflict // News.com.au

China

Covid: Is China’s vaccine success waning in Asia? // BBC News

Second Chinese vessel to watch US-Australia drill // Taipei Times

Zero risk? Virus cases test Olympic organizers’ assurances // AP

Taiwan

In Taiwan’s backyard
China conducts naval exercise in East China Sea // Taiwan News

Defense spending could rise more than NT$10bn // Taipei Times

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, May 24, 2021

A democratic Pacific alliance is on the rise. Many nations in the Far East may host US troops, but a bond is forming between them that runs deeper than any US influence. At the center: Taiwan; across the battlefield: China, the great enemy of the Pacific peoples. That’s how this rising alliance sees it.

Taiwan has breakthroughs in micro-tech. The Philippines steps up rhetoric against China—which may not mean anything as words are mere words, but it is a very different direction than bowing down. Japan and Southern Korea tell China to knock it off. And, the British set sail for the Far East with the brand new, shiny HMS Queen Elizabeth and her entourage. This new Pacific family has friends on both sides of the Atlantic.

Indo-Pacific

Ministry thanks S Korea, US for remarks on Strait // Taipei Times

China

More Japanese brands will lose out in China due to Xinjiang cotton ban: analyst // Global Times (China Govt)

Taiwan

Taiwan’s TSMC claims breakthrough on 1nm chips // Taiwan News

Philippines

Philippines protests China fishing ban in South China Sea // Rappler

Military Faceoff

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Anson Launched by BAE Systems // Naval News

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, April 12, 2021

China’s getting more flack from more sides—Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines. Vietnamese are furious with H&M for depicting maps with Vietnam-claimed islands as part of China, even though H&M did that because the Chinese told them to. The noose of perceived nuisance tightens.

China won’t back off on military drills and presence. The greatest beneficiaries are Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics. They have every reason to hope China continues military drills. A Chinese aircraft recently radioed reference to airspace as “Chinese”, which Taiwan also claims. Weapons dealers are probably clanging champagne glasses over that.

Military activity in the Southeast Asia is on the uptick. No one plans to back down. The question is over which side is reacting how the other side expected. The accurate expector will likely win the next scuffle.

Indo-Pacific

China Tells Japan to Stay Out of Hong Kong, Xinjiang Issues // Bloomberg

H&M faces Vietnam boycott over South China Sea map // Nikkei Asian Review

Philippines warns China of ‘unwanted hostilities’ in sea dispute // Aljazeera

China

$2.78B
China fines Alibaba billions for alleged market abuses // Guardian

Xinjiang cotton: Western brands blurred on China TV // BBC News

Taiwan

Photo of the Day: Taiwan’s Sun Moon desert // Taiwan News

China says US to blame for tensions over Taiwan // Taiwan News

US eases limits on Taiwan contacts // Taipei Times

US bill to pressure China on trade, support Taiwan // Taipei Times

Taiwan education minister supports athletes preparing for Beijing Olympics // Taiwan News

Military Faceoff

Navy Aircraft Carrier Strike Group Passes Through Suez Canal // Military.com

China’s moves in Strait ‘destabilizing,’ US says // Taipei Times

China vows regular carrier group drills // Taipei Times

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, March 22, 2021

Huawei plans to charge royalties for some of its 5G tech, but they may lose respect when they refuse rent payment for anchoring 200 military-manned vessels the Philippines’ backyard pool. International royalties are based on international agreement, which China denies. It brings back memories of the old phrase, “Who is ‘we’, you gotta’ mouse in your pocket?”

Taiwan, on the other hand has a vice on the semiconductor industry. And, having its evil pineapple banned from China, Japanese have discovered just how especially delicious Taiwanese pineapple are. And, they are quite amazing. Their cores are even sweet. Many other pineapple need the cores cut out because the acid is too strong. In Japan, when you order dinner, you just might get a sweet Taiwanese pineapple free of charge. Perhaps China could also charge royalties on Taiwan pineapple sales, considering that their ban helped with the boom in sales.

Indo-Pacific

Philippines says 220 Chinese boats have encroached in South China Sea – Times of India // Times of India

Chinese ban on Taiwanese pineapples boosts sales in Japan // Japan Today

Trade & Tech

Huawei to charge royalties to smartphone makers using its 5G tech // CNBC

Taiwan

Taiwan happiest nation in East Asia: UN report // Taipei Times

2 charts show how much the world depends on Taiwan for semiconductors // CNBC

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, February 15, 2021

The WHO probe into China over the pneumoniavirus pandemic doesn’t help ties. The team requested raw data; they were given a summary. China blames America. Joe Biden takes on China over Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Uighurs of Xinjiang. Now, he is joined by Boris Johnson in criticizing China over the WHO.

Meanwhile, Taiwan has gone two days without a single new case—poster boy of the Pacific! When Japan had a 7.3 magnitude earthquake off Fukushima, Taiwan interrupted its holiday season to voice support.

Now, the New York Post revisits old news about the lady who found an SOS message in a box of Halloween decorations made in Xinjiang. Factory co-workers told the messenger that he was the cause of their trouble by sending a message. If people of a factory are so beaten down, and if the WHO can’t even get raw data on the pandemic that rocked the world, Western voters will wonder what else is going on in China. News reports and recent events spell bad luck for China. Worst of all is China’s reaction that only spells guilt in the Western mind.

Trade & Tech

Huawei files lawsuit to be removed from the FCC’s ‘national threat’ list // Business Insider

China

COVID-19: Boris Johnson joins Joe Biden in putting pressure on China over World Health Organization investigation // Sky News

U.S. ‘gravely damaged’ coronavirus cooperation, China says as row erupts over WHO probe // NBC News

US mom found SOS in decorations—and exposed China’s camps // NY Post

The Xinjiang camps on Clubhouse // SupChina

South China Sea: Unified approach necessary to deter China from using new Coast Guard Law in South China Sea // Economic Times

Admiral: No Abnormal Responses from China After Dual-Carrier Drills // USNI News

Pentagon sends two carrier groups into South China Sea amid tensions with Beijing // The Hill

In a year, China will host the first genocide Olympics // HKFP

China Warns Countries Not to Boycott Beijing 2022 Olympics // YouTube @ China Uncensored

Biden’s in no rush to engage China. Guess who’s trying to take advantage. // Politico

Two US Navy aircraft carriers conduct South China Sea drills // CNN

Taiwan

Taiwan always willing to help Japan, president says // Taipei Times

No domestic or imported infection for second day // Taipei Times

Japan

Powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolts Tohoku area // Japan Times

Australia

Australia ‘overreacting’ to Chinese development plans on northern border // Guardian

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, December 28, 2020

Anymore, it’s not only bad news about China, but continued action in both military and trade. The pressure Washington puts on Beijing keeps finding new ways to keep turning up. Sanctions continue to increase. Military attention rises. And, Japan puts pressure on Biden to decry the “aggressive China”, calling Taiwan the next, likely target.

Just the same, Taiwan continues as the poster boy, especially with the pandemic China takes the blame for. Just when the Chinese government thinks they get a break, the opposition simply moved and grew. Western powers have effectively sneaked up on the Chinese, whose policies isolate them from the experience necessary to understand Western thinking. Western news audiences are being conditioned to support military action against China, no matter which party advocates it. As news watchers, we must see this trend as it has snowballed over the last decade. The Western world is moving toward war against China as Russia remains safely out of the spotlight.

Trade & Tech

Alibaba U.S.-Listed Shares Tumble Most Ever on China Monopoly Probe // Bloomberg

US restrictions on SMIC will strike at the heart of China’s advanced chipmaking ambitions // CNN

China

Singaporean woman faces execution in China as family launches last desperate appeal // CNN

China forces firms like Alibaba to process stolen US data: Report // Business Insider

Taiwan

IHF praises Taiwan’s virus response // Taipei Times

Taiwan imposes new regulations after first Covid case since April // Guardian

China aircraft carrier sails through Taiwan Strait a day after US warship // SCMP

Military Faceoff

Report on Navy Laser, Railgun and Gun-Launched Guided Projectiles // USNI News

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, October 12, 2020

China has gone effectively “NR”, a tech term for software being “non-responsive”. No matter what any nation says or does, China only digs in, tells the same lies no matter how increasingly obvious, and continues aggression as the solution to losing more friends over its aggression.

Why censor Mike Pence’s statement on China during the vice presidential debate? As an act of good will, China should replay Pence’s statement to correct for the ostensible “no signal please stand by” message during that part of the debate. If anything, letting a foreign vice president make bad statements would help prove that China does not engage in free speech censorship. In all likelihood, the Chinese have been censoring so many people and getting away with it that they thought censoring the American vice president would go unnoticed—it didn’t.

Besides, why keep a foreign vice president’s words away from the ears of their own people. The Chinese people won’t decide how the West will respond to Chinese aggression; the West will decide how the West responds. That’s something else the Chinese Communists don’t seem to understand.

Four nations held a strangely, vaguely-purposed meeting: Japan, Australia, India, and the United States. The reason went largely unexplained, though it was obviously about China. Japan said the meeting wasn’t about one, single country. Australia said no one tells Australia what to do. The US said China is dangerous. From a Chinese Confucian Communist perspective, the meeting seemed out of order. But, in the minds of Western voters, it is clear that all four countries dislike China without having to be told to. It was an unencrypted message China was sure to not decrypt.