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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, December 28, 2015

China steps up its game again. While companies won’t be required to give Beijing power to indiscriminately snoop the web, they are on notice to cooperate with coming procedures if they are asked. This time wasn’t the first, but it’s a little more clear, a little more friendly, and a little more toothy than the last.

Taiwan’s likely Presidential victor party, the DPP, has adopted a policy effectively outlawing the KMT-Nationalist party practice of owning for-profit businesses. The policy is wise by many measures, respect from the US and an even greater increase in voter support notwithstanding.

Since the US stepped up its own game, $1.8B to Taiwan, China is not happy.

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, November 9, 2015

The two presidents of the two governments of China met in Singapore. The exiled government was protested on the island where it remains in exile. It was a wild week. Taiwan’s president, Ma, defended the importance of dialog while nearly every branch of his government clashed with protests.

The meeting comes at the brink of significant change. Taiwan is about to undergo a historic turnover of political powers. This may be the last chance the fading KMT-Nationalist establishment has for high-profile dialog with their Communist arch enemy in Beijing.

While China appears as strong as it is controversial, the US whispers about undisclosed technologies that the Communists will not want to encounter in the Pacific. Everyone has his story.

China

A Day After Summit, China Again Warns Taiwan Against Independence

US defense chief warns of conflict in S. China Sea

…”‘Surprising’ new technologies”

Goldman’s BRIC Era Ends as Fund Folds After Years of Losses

…”The excitement came from the rapid growth from China…”

Taiwan

Ma defends significance of meeting with Xi

Protesters, police injured in overnight demonstrations

…Sunflower students return, stormed military base, college official arrested, police clash at legislature and presidential palace

Meeting limits Taiwan’s cross-strait options: Tsai

Further reading…

Protesters rally to condemn meeting

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, October 5, 2015

A report came in: Taiwan is tied with Israel for the world’s 13th most powerful military. It will be interesting to see whether China discusses this over tea with the Britons next week.

Bon Jovi had been booted from China for paying homage to the Dalai Lama when they added Taiwan to their itinerary, only to get booted from Taipei by a typhoon that never arrived. A presidential hopeful in Taiwan may get booted from her own party. Internal politics plague Taiwan’s pro-Beijing KMT-Nationalist party one quarter before the presidential election. Food and auto issues plague TPP in Japan. China simmers.

Though more Mezzo Piano Adagio this week than previous, the Cadence continues. China is probably busy after all it learned from meeting the enemy and its funding enterprises face-to-face.

China

Britain to host Chinese leader on first state visit

Taiwan

HUGE BREAKING: Hung to be pulled in favor of Chu

Taiwan has world’s 13th strongest military: report

Farglory, Taipei Dome architects to face committees

…Symbol of Taiwan’s failed KMT-Nationalist party: an arena with no foundation, about to have licenses revoked

Storm brews over second typhoon day

…The storm that cancelled Bon Jovi’s concert in Taiwan

Bon Jovi press statement (video)

Japan

TPP talks stuck on auto, drug and dairy issues

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, August 31

Kim’s dismissal of top military leaders mirrors the downfalls of history. Top leaders are Kim’s strongest supporters. North Korea’s power could be imploding. “One Korea” could happen peacefully.

Japan prepares to make it’s military more deployable. The US gave the nod in recent months. Now, the Japanese government is ready to follow suit. Japan has maintained a “defense-only” military as a condition of the WWII surrender. Soon, Japan will be able to aid in regional conflict, such as with Korea or, say, Taiwan and Beijing.

China’s spotlight is more of a laser. Taiwanese officials take domestic flack over attending a Chinese V-Day celebration. The US isn’t happy about spying. China isn’t happy about reporting. Sanctions are on the way.

China

U.S. developing sanctions against China over cyberthefts

China says 197 punished in crackdown on online rumors

Japan

Thousands protest Abe, security bills at Diet rally

…Soon to be allowed to deploy troops for wider range of reasons

Korea

North, South Korea agree to defuse crisis after marathon talks

North Korea’s Kim ousts top officials, credits nuclear weapons with securing deal

South Korea Red Cross proposes family reunion talks with North

North Korea agrees to talks with South on family reunions

Taiwan

Why Taiwanese leaders should skip the Victory Day parade in Beijing

…Inside baseball on the China-Taiwan conflict.  · · · →

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, August 3, 2015

Propaganda backfired this week. Beijing wants more Internet censorship, almost to create a “Chinanet” akin to another Great Schism not seen since the Orthodox Church split from the West. TPP failed. Students in Taiwan stormed government offices to keep out China-propaganda over “minor” changes to national curriculum. An Australia-India-Japan alliance plumed out of nowhere. Taiwan and Japan are kissing and making up. And some truth came through well-kept gates.

An 18-year-old got back from his year in North Korea. The North Koreans shower together like Americans and Romans. North Korean students are curious about mundane life in America. And, notably, North Koreans seem to agree with a Americans: Government is the problem, not the people.

Joshua Wang, Hong Kong, had an interview with the BBC and explained that the Umbrella Movement never really had a plan and never communicated a plan to the public. But they did succeed in raising public awareness.  · · · →

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, May 25, 2015

The US flies over China’s man-made islets, China is is not happy. China wants Taiwan to fight to protect China’s sovereignty, which China may think includes their man-made islets. The UN does not recognize man-made islands as a rightful claim to sovereign waters, but that is exactly what China is doing. The US won’t have it.

Chinese professors are accused of stealing US technology, the Pentagon is involved. Asia in general, except China, is irritated with Chinese and American meddling in Taiwan’s presidential elections.

Taiwanese protesting China were beaten by tattooed men in black clothes. China’s economy may not be the best, but it’s banks may be, at least Forbes thinks so. Everyone seems to have an opinion on everyone else these days. For better or worse, no one seems to want to stay home.

Top

Exclusive: China warns U.S. surveillance plan

…CNN video from the spy plane

The US Position on the ‘1992 Consensus’: Why it Matters

Japan

Stay out of Taiwan presidential race

…Editorial from Japan Times

China

Chinese banks took the four top spots in Forbes’ list of the world’s most powerful companies

…Charts

China signs US$27 billion oil, trade deals with Brazil

Two Chinese professors ‘stole US technology’

Taiwan

Anti-China demonstrators attacked by black-clad men

…After catching the black-clad men, the police let them go

China rejects Taipei’s defiance on law

Ma’s disapproval rating near 70%: polls

What Would Taiwan Actually Gain from Reunification with China?  · · · →

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, May 11, 2015

Taiwan makes headlines in KMT-Nationalist-related corruption, KMT president hopeful Chu reportedly speaking as if Taiwan is part of China, and China “droning” up to attack.

The Pentagon reports China preparing to bomb Taiwan, saying “Preparing for potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait remains the focus and primary driver of China’s military investment,” weighing cost and benefit like a business transaction.

Russia invited China to V-Day’s military saber-rattle parade. Japan rattles their own sabers, buying Osprey helicopters from the US and being as loud about it as possible.

China slams Japan for not being sincere enough in apologizing for WWII… While Beijing prepares to start WWIII over an island half the size of Lake Michigan.

Top

China preparing for Taiwan conflict: report

U.S. May Sell 100 Ospreys Abroad: Official

…including India, Singapore, Australia, Japan

Chu goes there?

…AP reporter in Beijing forced to retract… journalism’s inside baseball

If the Unthinkable Occurred: America Should Stand Up to China over Taiwan

Taiwan

China planning to build 42,000 drones, report says

A Rather Lackluster Performance by Xi During Meeting with Chu

…Chinese President Xi, Taiwan President hopeful shake hands… Why would this picture make anyone in Taiwan want to vote KMT-Nationalist?  · · · →

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Cadence of Conflict: May 4, 2015

Japan gets US nod to respond in Pacific warfare, no longer needing Pentagon permission. An otherwise introspective week with analytical articles and lack of startling headlines, probably because Michael Cole wrote little.

China copied military tech, again, and claimed it’s superior to the US, again. Chinese corruption and environment shared headlines, again. More articles agree with foreseeable change in Taiwan’s 2016 politics; Beijing is angry, again. Reports show China’s influence in money and trade, again, this time, wine and Wal-Mart.

Top

The Battle for Taiwan’s Soul: The 2016 Presidential Election

…This could mean war! US and Beijing attempts to influence Taiwan’s elections probably won’t work; likely DPP victory in 2016

Chu trumpets fake ‘consensus’

…Taiwan’s own media openly calls KMT-Nationalist rhetoric “fake”

Japan

U.S., Japanese Officials Announce New Defense Guidelines

…Buried in the details, Japan can respond if China attacks Japan or one of its “friends” [such as Taiwan].

China

China’s advanced J-11D heavy fighter jet takes maiden flight

Crackdown on corruption at Chinese environmental risk assessment agencies

…Corruption and environment cross paths again in China.  · · · →

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