Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, November 16, 2020

America is one of the most cunning nations, almost as much so as Britain. Chinese are known for signing contracts early, then negotiating after—something the West calls “reneging”, which breaks the contract. London always knew China wouldn’t be able to keep a promise, let alone a promise to not control and interfere.

But, almost as cunning is the appearance of election-based chaos stirring in America. Republican and Democratic voters have been building mutual hatred for a long time. Fighting within the country is real and believable. It was sparked by ambiguity, the cause of which is easily explained by what appears, for all intents and purposes, as vote fraud. That doesn’t take much manipulation of the masses, only a small push to send society tumbling over the ledge of insanity. And, China was sure to believe it.

But, there is a difference between America and China which the Chinese cannot understand: centralized power. Chinese-based governments, including democratic Taiwan, struggle to think outside the box of micromanagement. China doesn’t know that the US Navy in the Indo-Pacific region is capable of operating and responding, even if all communication is cut off from Washington. That was the purpose of the “boomer” submarines.

The Chinese people are beaten down. It’s a culture-wide mental state akin to groupthink Stockholm syndrome. The Beijing government truly believes the Chinese people will never rebel. So, when they see America in disorder, they will think democracy itself has failed. But, they don’t understand that the people of a nation are always stronger than the institutions they create, including government, which only derives its power from the people who allow it to be so powerful. Not only can America’s government continue to function with American society in a level of chaos, China’s government cannot be stronger than its own beaten-down people.

If China wanted to be strong enough to stand against America, it could have started by living up to the name of its army and actually “liberating” its people from a culture in which everyone is an oppressed-oppressing slave. Yes, America can deal with riots at home and kick China’s ass in the Pacific at the same time. China doesn’t think so; that’s exactly what the Pentagon hopes.

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, November 2, 2015

In pre-WWII terms, last week, North Korea tried a “Hitler” in Southern seas and got sent home running. This week, the US did a sail by and China pulled a “France”. It’s clear who’s boss of the Pacific.

At least that’s what the Pentagon will think.

China’s response, though proof that it lacks strength, neither proves weakness nor will. Chinese are calculating and polite. Chinese conflicts do not escalate slowly; the pressure builds slowly, then the conflict erupts faster than American’s can blink.

But there is more going on with indirect communication, and Beijing is learning, for better or worse. In all likelihood, Beijing expected the US to react like most Chinese do to new power’s assertion. Specifically, they expected either silence or some kind of neighboring buildup. Remember, China is the land of the Great Wall. They built the islands with a fleet, they probably expected the US to confront them either with a fleet or not at all. · · · →

Symphony

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

Four months until Taiwan Vote: A change of government very likely (ajw.asahi.com)
Red Dot Gives Taipei a Black Eye (core77.com)
Hung floats proposals to alleviate overwork issues (chinapost.com.tw)
Taiwan ruling party’s presidential candidate takes leave from campaign (english.kyodonews.jp)
Beijing trying to manipulate WWII history: US experts (wantchinatimes.com)
Xi Calls for Mainland-Taiwan Unity Ties Over War Anniversary (newsghana.com.gh)
Bon Jovi Adds Taiwan Show After China Cancellations (sinosphere.blogs.nytimes.com)

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, November 16, 2020

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