Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, April 5, 2021

China looks worse and worse in the public eye. H&M closures have drawn more Western attention. Chinese ads showing a purportedly happy Xinjiang backfired among Facebook staff. The Philippines are evermore concerned about a swelling number of Chinese militia boats parked in their backyard.

But, things aren’t looking so wonderful for Taiwan either. Pineapples sold to Singapore weren’t properly handled, so the cores rotted. That’s Taiwan’s culture—to not care, thinking problems won’t get bigger. A truck slid down a small cliff on the east side of Taiwan, colliding with a train, killing at least 50 people. The transportation bureau never put guard rails on a dirt road on a cliff above a train track. That’s Taiwan’s culture—to not care, thinking problems won’t get bigger.

Now, Taiwan is working with European partners to develop its own submarines, not only America. That report combats the notion that Taiwan hasn’t been wonderfully annexed by China only on account of the United States. But, are the Taiwanese all that different from China? Lack of care with pineapple exports and railroad safety might say otherwise. The Taiwanese an important choice to make—whether they want to be different from China or not. That is a decision only the Taiwanese people can make. And, they haven’t made that choice yet, even after seventy years of exile.

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, March 29, 2021

China’s adversaries face a tightly closing decision. America needs to decide whether it can keep playing the role of the world-cop with only its B-game, or if it is ready to bust out its A-game not seen since FDR. More than ever, warnings of “rising China” smatter the presses. Will this result in Americans getting serious about the need to be serious—because they read about it? Or, is this intended to prepare the American public for some event that thrusts the West into an embarrassing scuffle with China?—embarrassing for China now, embarrassing for the West six years later.

Taiwan has its own choices. Many things inside Taiwan still reflect the thinking of Mainland China. While Taiwan’s government claims to seek democracy and a society where all people are respected with equal rights, their Confucian culture still succumbs to autocratic domineering, whether in the workplace, the classroom, or from government. If in their hearts, the Taiwanese want to retain the old ways of the Chinese, there is no American military big enough to help them against any adversary, even the smallest adversary. But, the factor of Taiwanese culture doesn’t seem to make its way into the military reports.

Indo-Pacific

China’s growing firepower casts doubt on whether U.S. could defend Taiwan // NBC News

China

China slaps 5-year tariffs on Australian wine // Taiwan News

Japanese garment retailer MUJI clarifies use of Xinjiang cotton amid boycotting outrage // Global Times (China Govt)

China attacks foreign clothing, shoe brands over Xinjiang // Taiwan News

Xinjiang workers enjoy full freedom and benefits working in Guangdong, academics find through 9-month-long field study // Global Times (China Govt)

Australia

‘Deficient’ shipment of Chinese aluminium forces delay to Navy’s Cape Class patrol boats // ABC News Australia

Military Faceoff

Classified US military war game set to take place as concerns about threats posed by China and Russia increase // CNN

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, March 8, 2021

Military budgets—that’s the talk of the Taiwan Strait. China wants its budget to grow so it can play with the big kids by 2035. China’s apparently not ready to play with the big kids, at least since India just ate China’s lunch. So, with China trying to bulk up even more, people are asking what the heck is going on with Taiwan.

Israel spends 5% GDP on asymmetric defense; Taiwan only spends 3%. So-called “experts” want Taiwan to spend more. The US wants Taiwan to spend more. Apparently even the newspapers want Taiwan to spend more because military budget is the talk of the week.

It was a strange week, though. So many things have gone peaceful in the East Pacific. China and India are suddenly getting along. Taiwan and China talk more about the need to talk. Threats and vibrato from Beijing haven’t stopped, of course. But, things are getting a bit quiet, and it seems somewhat eerie.

Trade & Tech

TSMC Rumored To Build $35 Billion 5nm Plant In The U.S. With 100k/month Wafer Output // Wccftech

China

At Least 30,000 U.S. Organizations Newly Hacked Via Holes in Microsoft’s Email Software // Krebs on Security

Rights groups target sponsors like Airbnb for Beijing Games // AP

Jack Ma loses title as China’s richest man after coming under Beijing’s scrutiny // Fox Business

An Open Letter to the Fashion and Home-Furnishing Industries // EndUyghurForcedLabour.org

Winter Olympics 2022: Mikaela Shiffrin doesn’t want to have to choose between ‘morality versus being able to do your job’ // CNN

Beijing 2022: China hits back at Canada over calls to move Winter Olympics // SCMP

Taiwan

Experts urge government to increase defense spending // Taipei Times

US encourages Taiwan to invest in defense: official // Taipei Times

China bolsters defense, while saying it would deter Taiwan ‘separatist activity’ // Taipei Times

US reaffirms Taiwan support in report // Taipei Times

Taipei adopts 6 approaches to promoting English education // Taiwan News

Military Faceoff

The Air Force Says Its First Hypersonic Missile Will Make Its Inaugural Flight Within 30 Days // The Drive

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, March 1, 2021

China was fooled again. They thought Biden would be the same pushover he was as vice president. Oops.

Human Rights groups are amassing. Now the Beijing 2022 Olympics are a candidate for boycott. As if that’s not enough, the USS Nimitz can’t stop making headlines as it is supposed to return home in a month. It’s currently in China’s back yard pool, so to speak. The Chinese aren’t happy. But, when are they ever?

Even with Presiden Biden, Trump restrictions on China are still going into effect. China responds by banning imports on Taiwanese pineapple. But, the pineapple ban came too late. Just think how much better the world would be if China had banned those evil pineapple in a more timely fashion.

But, since the evil Taiwanese pineapple ban came too late, China had to take more drastic action. They arrested 47 people in Hong Kong who like democracy. It is rumored that they might like democracy almost as much as they like pineapple. While this can’t be confirmed, it could be that liking pineapple proved how dangerous those democracy-lovers really were. But, that is pure conjecture.

In case banning evil Taiwanese pineapple wasn’t enough to guarantee domestic safety, China also requires that clergy worship Chairman Mao. The Holy See isn’t sanguine, neither are those evil Taiwanese pineapple farmers.

Trade & Tech

The sooner Huawei can go back to using Google OS the better: USA chief security officer // Yahoo News

China

China will host the 2022 Winter Olympics while accused of genocide. Should the world boycott? // Yahoo Sports

Joe Biden to maintain Trump administration rules to limit China tech purchases: Reports // India Blooms

Flashback
China Issues New Rules to Block Extraterritorial Reach of Foreign Law // JD Supra

China denies requiring anal swabs from US diplomats // BBC News

Beijing’s 2008 Olympics was a soft power victory for China, but 2022 may be another story // CNN

China’s economy dented as American brands cancel Xinjiang’s cotton imports // Hindustan Times

China: Baseless Imprisonments Surge in Xinjiang // Human Rights Watch

Britain to challenge China at UN over access to Xinjiang // CNN

Japan

Japan increases protection for US military amid ‘severe security environment’ // CNN

Vietnam

South China Sea: Vietnam builds up defences against Beijing in Spratly Islands, report says // SCMP

Military Faceoff

Secretary Of Defense Flies To USS Nimitz To Thank Crew For Lengthy Deployment // NBC San Diego

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, 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

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, January 18, 2021

This is a linchpin week. Britain’s new aircraft carrier stands by with courses ready for the South Sea. America has an inauguration scheduled amid more foreseeable chaos, likely greater than Hong Kong. Bad news on China only gets worse—while the Huawei CFO pleas for a life less difficult than her millions of dollars can buy her, she is contrasted to China’s treatment of two arrested Canadians. That doesn’t make China look charitable in the eyes of the five countries that declared the Hong Kong treaty broken late last year.

Diplomats from Taiwan and the US had a diplomat-to-diplomat talk in Switzerland. That’s new. China’s furious. That isn’t new.

A destabilizing United States coupled with swelling Western spite for China make the perfect bait and trap for China to think it should enter a war it couldn’t possibly know it couldn’t possibly win, but should have and would have if someone had only listened.

Trade & Tech

Detained Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou wants bail conditions eased // WA Post

Imploding!
China’s consumers are turning against the homegrown Big Tech giants they once revered // Fortune

Boeing 777 was chartered to fly Meng Wanzhou home, Canada court hears as she seeks to have bail relaxed // SCMP

China

Upbeat Xi Says Time on China’s Side as Turmoil Grips U.S. // Bloomberg

Darned if you do, darned if you don’t if you have anything to do with China
China brings in new law to fight Trump’s sanctions // BBC News

Taiwan

Taiwan representative meets with US diplomat // Taipei Times

CFR rates Taiwan conflict top concern // Taipei Times

Taiwan can fill gap left by Confucius Institutes: AIT // Taipei Times

“We advise people like Pompeo to recognize the historical trends, stop manipulating Taiwan-related issues, stop going against the tides of history, refrain from going further down the wrong and dangerous path, otherwise they will be severely punished by history.”
China warns Trump admin. heading down ‘dangerous path’ with Taiwan outreach // CBS News

Hong Kong

US-China Row: US sanctions pro-China officials // Taipei Times

Korean Peninsula

Kim Jong Un Unveils New Submarine Missile Threat as Trump Exits // MSN News

Military Faceoff

USS Gerald R. Ford Problems: Carrier Can’t Launch Fighters // Popular Mechanics

Lockheed Martin Delivers HELIOS Laser Weapon System to U.S. Navy // Naval News

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, January 11, 2021

Let’s look past the fact that Chinese state media doesn’t know what it means to be “cowardly”. Pompeo rejecting Chinese Communist preferences on US policy with Taiwan is not “cowardly”, at worst it would be “foolish” or “over-confidence”; but “cowardly” would mean letting someone else tell the US what to do. Likewise, China is not “cowardly” either; it is “foolish” and “over-confident”. But, the Chinese don’t know the difference, just how they don’t know this decision on Taiwan is meant to provoke China to commit strategic folly. Let’s look past all that.

What is Trump doing? Biden’s strings held by China were well known before they were secluded by the socialist-minded media in the US. By lacing up ties with Taiwan, Trump forces any future White House attempts to let China dictate policy to be seen for what they are. No president or secretary of state would be politically allowed to back down on Taiwan relations without being exposed as a Chinese manchurian candidate.

In the past, socialist media in the US—which is nearly all media in the US—acted as mouthpieces for Communist Russian propaganda. Now, they act as Communist Chinese tools to install a president owned by China—Biden—all the while publishing bad news about China. From the US perspective, there is a pregnant need to protect the US government from saboteurs—shoes which fit Biden and the primary failure Harris perfectly. Trump taking action that would force Chinese-owned saboteurs to tip their hands only makes sense. But, that still doesn’t explain what is going on.

We must not assume that America is in a peaceful transition from one undisputedly elected president to the next. But, of course China hoped for that. The bipartisan-orchestrated chaos in Washington and state capitals comes as a surprise to the Chinese. If they knew what was coming, they wouldn’t have wasted their time snuggling up to Biden last month. So, because they think this capital chaos was a surprise to them, it was therefore not part of a rouse to make them think America is weak. But, that still doesn’t explain what is going on.

Follow the money. Who makes money off China thinking America is vulnerable? Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics. They don’t need to be part of any conspiracy; only a few stakeholders do—perhaps not even shareholders, perhaps only suppliers of suppliers. However things play out in the dual-fated cities of Washington and Taipei, it will happen that American weapons contractors make the most profit. We are looking at a short and costly skirmish where neither those weapons contractors’ customers are defeated, nor are their profitable enemies. The South Sea is the perfect place. And, China is the perfect dupe to take the bait.

China

The Latest: Scores test positive in China’s Hebei province // AP

China orders military to be ready for war ‘at any second’ as Brit aircraft carrier prepares to sail to South China Sea // The Sun

WHO Covid team blocked from entering China to study origins of coronavirus // CNN

Chinese billionaire Jack Ma suspected missing after calling for economic reform: report // Fox Business

Taiwan

Chinese state media blast latest Pompeo move on Taiwan // AP

Officials welcome Pompeo’s decision to lift restrictions on contact with Taiwan // Taipei Times

US ends limits on Taiwan contact // Taipei Times

Korean Peninsula

South Korea New Aircraft Carrier: Looks Like Royal Navy Carrier // Popular Mechanics

Military Faceoff

UK says aircraft carrier strike group is ready to deploy. China’s already watching // CNN

Marines and Japanese troops train together to capture islands, coastal areas // Stripes

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, January 4, 2021

The Chinese make one huge gamble based on two doubtful conclusions. They think Biden will be inaugurated in January. They think they have deterred the US military in the Pacific. Both notions have been carefully feigned and crafted by the US. The pieces are in place and China moves its queen to attack the baiting pawn. The US wants China to initiate its own military embarrassment.

Over the years, America has stirred unneeded trouble throughout the world. America will pay the consequences for that, but not according to any itinerary set by China. Something similar could be said for Taiwan concerning its own internal systems of justice, both for the Taiwanese and for resident foreigners. Taiwan will pay the consequences, but not according to any itinerary set by China. We all answer to God, and God the Judge will not share space on His bench. If China—or anyone else—wants to take God’s bench, God may send in His bailiff.

China wants the results of innovation—which come from free thinking—which comes from free speech. But, free speech and rights respected are the two things China will not accept. So, China indirectly rejects the good results which only follow good choices. Trying to live without the very shame the continue to create—trying to defeat the countries with military technology they could only steal from those countries—trying to absorb economies with innovation that only thrived without their tyranny—China only knows how to miscalculate. The embarrassment China is about to bring upon itself is nothing any good person would wish for. That the Chinese wish for it says more on this matter than anything else.

Trade & Tech

Regulation of Ant Group is bad for China economy, fintech: analyst // CNBC

China

China’s Wang says US relations at ‘new crossroads’ // Taipei Times

Trump was briefed that China sought to pay non-state actors to attack US forces in Afghanistan // CNN

We Found The Factories Inside China’s Mass Internment Camps // BuzzFeed News

Taiwan

Chinese incursions highest since 1996 // Taipei Times

Bullish China Vows Continued Push for Taiwan ‘Unification’ in 2021 // Newsweek

Taiwan to bar entry to non-resident foreigners on Jan. 1 // Taiwan News

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, February 1, 2020

It’s happening. Biden is battening down on China. The Chinese still think they can push their diktat in the South Sea and the East Sea and the Taiwan Strait and the Indian Ocean. Rumors spread in America of China helping Biden steal the election. That won’t help China get the support of the American public. Quite opposite, as Americans turn on Biden, accusing him of his own diktat, he will feel the push to prove that he’s not afraid to hit China where it counts. So you see, China may have helped install the very president most likely to create the most trouble for China.

Evidence points that he’s already going there. While weapons deals halted toward the Saudis and the UAE, they are right on schedule for cute, adorable, cuddly, lovable Taiwan.

But, America is not Taiwan’s only friend. Nor, is Taiwan the only territory that doesn’t like China’s diktat. Vietnam, the Philippines, India, and Japan won’t ignore any Chinese aggression in their back yards. And, with the British all ready with their HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier group, they could sweep into a Chinese sea contest after everyone else is bloodied and give their own diktat.

Trade & Tech

Judge refuses to remove Meng Wanzhou’s security guards, who are tasked with preventing her escape // SCMP

China trade war is one thing Joe Biden won’t be rushing to fix // CNN

China

WHO team investigating pandemic visits wet market, receives flu data // CNN

US criticizes Chinese flights over South China Sea, but says they posed no threat // Taipei Times

Chinese Submariners Patrolling South China Sea Suffer ‘Serious’ Psych Problems, Study Finds // Military.com

US-China tensions: Military flashpoints in Taiwan, Japan and South China Sea that could shape Biden’s entire China strategy // CNN

China is rehearsing for when it overtakes America // CNN

Xi’s speech shows how Biden faces a very different China // CNBC

Taiwan

Sullivan hits at China over Taiwan // Taipei Times

US has not halted arms sales: MOFA // Taipei Times

China warns Taiwan independence ‘means war’ as US pledges support // BBC News

China tells Taiwan that independence ‘means war’: report // Fox News

Taiwanese man fined $47K for violating home quarantine 7 times // CNN

Taiwan air force flexes muscles after latest Chinese incursion // Aljazeera

The World Is Dangerously Dependent on Taiwan for Semiconductors // Bloomberg

Taiwan reports large incursion by Chinese warplanes for second day // Yahoo News

Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific Sends A Warning to Hong Kong SAR // LoyaltyLobby

India

India, China soldiers brawl again along disputed frontier // AP

Military Faceoff

Report on U.S.-China Competition in East, South China Sea // USNI News

Aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth becomes Royal Navy’s fleet flagship // Naval Today

The U.S. Navy Needs To Admit It Can’t Outbuild China // Real Clear Defense

Australia invests in advanced maritime weapons, minehunters // Defense News

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, December 21, 2020

Readers still can’t get a break from bad news of China. More Chinese companies are added to the notorious “entities list”. The WHO sends a team to China, which isn’t exactly wonderful press. China is the biggest military threat. The US Navy along with the Coast Guard must reshape its strategy to protect against the Chinese. Trump even blames the Chinese for a recent cyber attack.

As China continues in headlines as the villain, Taiwan is evermore adorable. The Taiwanese plan to become their own military supplier and submarine maker, not as much dependent on the US. They hope to get so many awesome weapons of their own, other nations will want to buy weapons from the Taiwanese, who can defend themselves against the great China, after all. As if that’s not enough to irritate Beijing, Washington will start calling Taiwan’s not-embassy by “Taiwan” instead of “Taipei Economic and Cultural”.

But, how serious is Taiwan about its own defense? While Washington cozies up to Taiwan with somewhat more, semi-respectful names, America’s envoy to Taiwan is still called “American Institute in Taiwan”. And, as much as Taiwan claims to want technology and good relations with other nations, xenophobic immigration laws are still on the books. Immigrants to Taiwan vs immigrants from Taiwan have a much more difficult path and the ratios are insultingly low. Very few Westerners can contribute to Taiwan’s economy, technology, and goal of English as a second official language with these unchanged restrictions in Taiwan’s immigration policies. Nearly all changes in Taiwan and in Washington go little beyond symbolic.

Washington is mostly talk. Taiwan is too ambivalent to love actually. And, Beijing is easily insulted. The trends aren’t subtle anymore. They used to be five years ago, but they’re just not subtle anymore—quite the opposite.

Indo-Pacific

HK might cut off student exchanges // Taipei Times

Trade & Tech

US to blacklist dozens of Chinese firms including SMIC, sources say // Fox Business

China

Chinese drone maker says products to remain on sale despite U.S. restriction // Yahoo News

Zoom executive in China charged with disrupting Tiananmen videoconference commemorations // MarketWatch

Trump breaks his silence on huge cyber attack and says China may be responsible not Russia // Daily Mail

Macron infected; China to admit WHO team // Taipei Times

Revealed: China suspected of spying on Americans via Caribbean phone networks // Guardian

The Ghosts Who Haunt the South China Sea // The Atlantic

Taiwan

US warship sails through Taiwan Strait // Taipei Times

Taiwan wants Cathay Pacific to correct wording on documents // Taiwan News

Taiwan’s planned submarine fleet could forestall a potential Chinese invasion // CNN

US lawmakers call to rename TECRO // Taipei Times

Taiwan might be arms supplier: Tsai // Taipei Times

Australia

China-Australia trade tension: How Beijing will derail Canberra in 2021 // News.com.au

Military Faceoff

US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard unveil maritime strategy // Naval Today

New Naval Strategy Zeroes in on China as Biggest Long-Term Threat to the US // Military.com

Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, December 14, 2020

Hit pieces against China are coming out as if from an avalanche. More dangerous, they are coupled with Western plans of military expansion in China’s back yard. From Xinjiang teens to disappearing journalists to Australian wine to spies in America to colleges—to a global virus pandemic—Western readers have no rest from bad news of China.

The equation has been there and in play. America’s election appears stolen to 75% of Republican voters and 30% of Democrats. Elections require agreement on results in order to function. Lack of agreement on a trustworthy election is unusual as it is staggering. That’s a mandate for Trump to take drastic action, deny Biden’s inauguration, and take measures to remain in office that can’t avoid national inflammation.

As inevitable American conflict in January comes into closer view coupled with such bad press on China, the US strategy in the West Pacific is more and more difficult to deny. China was always the perfect distraction from the mess at home. The problem is that the American populous no longer responds as usual. A national attack may not have the uniting effect it once did—at least not uniting enough to keep any president in office in the face of an election so disputed.

Taiwan continues the role as the “China virus” poster boy. The Taiwanese handle things so well, don’t they. Strict rules on breaking quarantine—punishing a foreigner with thousands in fines for walking in the hallway outside his room for eight seconds—but Taiwanese officials forgot to lock the quarantine door because the world is supposed to believe Taiwan is so careful, right?

At some point, it should become obvious that we are playing a game of charades with who is good and bad—or at least on who is how good and how bad. As China’s role is to be the common enemy for divided Americans and a divided West to unite against, China’s big mistake—over decades and to this day—was to play that role all too gladly. A shoe was made and China chose to fit it.