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- May 16, 2012
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For anyone wishing to be a Taiwan expert, some articles on the state of play
Taiwan has a geopolitical status that can only reasonably described as bonkers
It is also the most dangerous place on earth
www.economist.com
China has talked itself into a position where it must reunify by any means necessary
And the US - although not legally bound - is due to show up if there's an invasion
It is similar to Ukraine, but different in crucial ways
Putin had to talk his people into supporting what he wouldn't even call a war. They've been dragged into it.
Xi on the other hand, has whipped up such a sense of nationalistic fervour and grievance, he's in a position where he has to do something or he looks like a sap.
As "ill-advised" or "provocative" or just plain stupid, Pelosi's visit was, the reaction is typical to what China does.
You can take your pick; there's a story every few months.
When Lithuania opened a Taiwanese office with an official sounding name - China sanctioned anything coming out of there or anything with a Lithuanian component from anywhere.
www.reuters.com
Snickers had to grovel to China after a massive shitstorm because a website geolocator had Taiwan in a list of countries
arynews.tv
This is just in the last few moths.
It's tantamount to us cutting off ties with a country any time someone said Londonderry.
Poor little Tommy Cruise had to pull the Taiwan flag off his Top Gun jacket. Boo hoo, poor Tommy. I think he'll be okay.
But every time you give in to these freakouts, you are conceding the ground that the bonkers reaction was justified.
Worth mentioning that the highest grossing film of all time in China is about defeating the US army in a battle in the Korean war. There is a desire for war there, that I don't think we appreciate here.
These are all small examples, but there is a Taiwan related freakout every couple of months, if you are looking out for it.
Finally, there is no relatable rationale - for us in the west - for Taiwan to be taken by China. China doesn't want a vote. It just wants.
There is no large ethnic group in Taiwan yearning to be made free. Really the opposite. If you were a 'rebel' Taiwanese watching the ethnic cleansing of the Uyghurs, how great would you feel about the CCP coming in to clean things up?
How would you feel after watching what happened to the democracy in HK?
China just wants the island on its own terms and fuck you, and ultimately domination of the Pacific.
This house believes our sympathies should be with the democracy.
Taiwan has a geopolitical status that can only reasonably described as bonkers
It is also the most dangerous place on earth
The most dangerous place on Earth
America and China must work harder to avoid war over the future of Taiwan
China has talked itself into a position where it must reunify by any means necessary
And the US - although not legally bound - is due to show up if there's an invasion
It is similar to Ukraine, but different in crucial ways
Putin had to talk his people into supporting what he wouldn't even call a war. They've been dragged into it.
Xi on the other hand, has whipped up such a sense of nationalistic fervour and grievance, he's in a position where he has to do something or he looks like a sap.
As "ill-advised" or "provocative" or just plain stupid, Pelosi's visit was, the reaction is typical to what China does.
You can take your pick; there's a story every few months.
When Lithuania opened a Taiwanese office with an official sounding name - China sanctioned anything coming out of there or anything with a Lithuanian component from anywhere.
Lithuania considers modifying Taiwan representation name to defuse row with China
Lithuanian officials, seeking to defuse a row with China, are discussing whether to ask their Taiwanese counterparts to modify the Chinese translation of the name of Taiwan's de-facto embassy in Vilnius, two sources told Reuters.
Snickers maker apologises for advertisement
Mars Wrigley, makers of the Snickers candy bar, apologised on Friday for a Snickers product launch which Chinese social media users said suggested that
arynews.tv
It's tantamount to us cutting off ties with a country any time someone said Londonderry.
Poor little Tommy Cruise had to pull the Taiwan flag off his Top Gun jacket. Boo hoo, poor Tommy. I think he'll be okay.
But every time you give in to these freakouts, you are conceding the ground that the bonkers reaction was justified.
Worth mentioning that the highest grossing film of all time in China is about defeating the US army in a battle in the Korean war. There is a desire for war there, that I don't think we appreciate here.
These are all small examples, but there is a Taiwan related freakout every couple of months, if you are looking out for it.
Finally, there is no relatable rationale - for us in the west - for Taiwan to be taken by China. China doesn't want a vote. It just wants.
There is no large ethnic group in Taiwan yearning to be made free. Really the opposite. If you were a 'rebel' Taiwanese watching the ethnic cleansing of the Uyghurs, how great would you feel about the CCP coming in to clean things up?
How would you feel after watching what happened to the democracy in HK?
China just wants the island on its own terms and fuck you, and ultimately domination of the Pacific.
This house believes our sympathies should be with the democracy.
