Symphony

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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Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, September 21, 2015

China mostly talked this week. And they plan to talk more next week with Obama about Taiwan’s elections. Taiwan now allows 5,000 new Chinese visitors per day and China will give Taiwanese electronic passes in their visits. This raises questions about why China wants so many people in Taiwan while making Taiwanese in China easier to track. US experts think that Taiwan will be more difficult to defend from a Chinese invasion over the coming years.

Japan’s National Diet gave the nod for international military action for the first time in seven decades. China had some words about that too, having more to do with Japan’s military staying at home than with China’s military staying at home.

Thousands pour through Austria seeking shelter

…Europe is not the only continent with more international visitors

Japan

Okinawan governor to revoke permit for U.S. base relocation work

Japanese, China express opposition to law change

Japan enhances military’s role as contentious legislation passed

Support for Abe sags even further in more polls

China says Japan security law ‘threat’ to regional peace

U.S.  · · · →

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Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, June 8, 2015

A week of political campaigns. Imagine if John McCain were under review to be kicked out of the Republican Party for not supporting big money enough, there was no strong Republican Candidate, Hillary was already the Democratic nominee, and McCain said, “If the RNC orders me to, it would be my duty to run for President.”

That’s what happened in Taiwan this week. Wang Jin-pyng, Speaker of Taiwan’s puppet Legislator (which cannot introduce its own legislation) is hated by party bosses of his own KMT-Nationalist party. And he offered to run if the party asks him to, which, of course it won’t. That party never supports any good ideas, especially good ideas that would win favor with the people. They have been too interested in winning the favor of the Beijing Communists. Wang would be the best candidate since the party has destroyed itself with all the footsie-footsie games it played with China over the years, especially over the last decade.  · · · →

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Symphony

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, April 20, 2015

China’s economy is getting “worserer and worserer”. Their progress seems to have been hyped. Then again, that could be said of everyone. Banking is all over the news—all over. But the real reasons for such economic conflict and shuffling between West and East remains unsaid. The US is spread too thin. Taiwan is focusing on military. And Japan is focusing on ISIS. Banking doesn’t seem like much news… Then again, maybe the excess of worldwide headlines about banking should be very big news in itself. Maybe the headlines aren’t as excessive as the iceberg beneath the surface.

China

China ‘suspends until further notice’ bank technology restrictions opposed by the US

…Indicating the real reason for China’s new bank?

…And a great excuse for the West to leave China, which already seems to be happening…

China’s incredible shrinking factories

…Taiwanese are pulling out of the Mainland.

HSBC speeds up exit from emerging markets

…More bank pulling and shifting

China GDP growth lowest since 2009

…And the Premiere is even talking about it…

Downward pressure on China’s economy ‘increasing’, admits premier

We Traveled Across China and Returned Terrified for the Economy

…Notice in the video, he says that “it” is good in the long term, though he never clarifies what “it” is.  · · · →

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