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Ishiba says Japan will prepare for 'any development' over Taiwan

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Let's hope "preparing for any development" means preparing to defend Taiwan.

Moderator: Thanks for your contribution. Your comment has been featured in the latest episode of the Japan This Week podcast. Visit the Japan Today top page to listen.

10 ( +22 / -12 )

@TaiwanIsNotChina

Let's hope "preparing for any development" means preparing to defend Taiwan.

Unfortunately, it simply means ensuring the war not spilling over to Japan and organizing a quick evacuation of Japanese and critical Taiwanese VIP individuals(aka TSMC senior engineers and executives) to Japan....

-13 ( +11 / -24 )

Preparing for a massive inflow of refugees?

It is happening around the world, so there is no reason to think that Japan would be immune.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

A rather bellicose statement by the new PM. Is he spoiling for a fight?

-11 ( +5 / -16 )

Taiwan used to be IJ's colony. Japan returned it to China in accordance with the Potsdam Declaration.

Soon after, Chang Kai Shek's Kuo Ming Tang Party fled to Taiwan as the result of the ongoing civil war with Mao Tse Tang's Communist Party.

The Taiwan issue must be considered in this context.

-11 ( +5 / -16 )

voiceofokinawaToday 08:03 am JST

Yup. Taiwan is rightfully the property of the government in Taipei.

7 ( +17 / -10 )

China conducted large-scale military drills around the island.

What might the Over/under be on whether Xi will lie like his pal Putin did, that it's only a drill, we're not going to invade?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

@ Samit Basu

and organizing a quick evacuation of Japanese and critical Taiwanese VIP individuals(aka TSMC senior engineers and executives) to Japan....

You are absolutely right. If it wasn’t for “the interest of advanced chips” in Taiwan, Washington would turn their attention to a different part of the word to wage another full scale war, where they can obtain economic interests. Building up the case against China from nothing, and anticipating who knows what for the sake of their commercial investments. I find it ridiculous.

-12 ( +6 / -18 )

FosToday 08:18 am JST

@ Samit Basu

and organizing a quick evacuation of Japanese and critical Taiwanese VIP individuals(aka TSMC senior engineers and executives) to Japan....

You are absolutely right. If it wasn’t for “the interest of advanced chips” in Taiwan, Washington would turn their attention to a different part of the word to wage another full scale war, where they can obtain economic interests. Building up the case against China from nothing, and anticipating who knows what for the sake of their commercial investments. I find it ridiculous.

Fully explains the 75 year commitment to defend Taiwan. /s

8 ( +16 / -8 )

Despite all the rhetoric, what China wants from Taiwan are microchips. And, despite all the efforts of the U.S. and Japan, China is getting them. What say you to this Mr. Ishiba?

Moderator: Thanks for your contribution. Your comment has been featured in the latest episode of the Japan This Week podcast. Visit the Japan Today top page to listen.

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

TaiwanIsNotChina

Let's hope "preparing for any development" means preparing to defend Taiwan.

...and on what legal basis would that be? Japan does not legally recognize Taiwan as a country, so legally that would be interfering in a civil war.

How about officially recognizing Taiwans independence before talking big?

0 ( +8 / -8 )

@ TaiwanIsNotChina

Fully explains the 75 year commitment to defend Taiwan. /s

As far as we know  U.S. does not support de jure Taiwan independence. Only in the past few years, to please their military apparatus and the Wall Street mercenaries, they are looking for fresh meat where to turn their attention since they have already placed good orders to destabilize Middle East and Europe. If you add the fact Taiwan produce advance quality chips, then it is the perfect script for the 5 stars generals at the Pentagon. If you ask 4 Americans out of 5 where is Taiwan, they would probably think is Marvel character.

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

It sounds like it’s on. Japan and China may start testing their military tech on each other even without an invasion of Taiwan.

Nakatani also said there is a possibility that missiles will fly into waters near Japan and that the Self-Defense Forces will take every precaution to gather information and monitor the situation.

The minute Japan starts knocking these missiles out of the air, that could be the start. We had three representatives of the SDF at a festival the other day. Got to have a chat with them too. They seemed very aligned and focused on what may lie ahead. They seemed confident too. Is this that generation? Hopefully it’s just a small window of chaos right now and things will settle down with a change of leadership in the states. America, choose wisely! Stakes are sort of high right now!

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Let's hope "preparing for any development" means preparing to defend Taiwan.

Kind of difficult for anyone to defend Taiwan when people prefer Blue over Red, it's actually surprising China hasnt taken it over in the last 2 years, they had the chance.

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

Ricky Kaminski13Today 09:11 am JST

They are not going to change with appeasement and abandoning Taiwan.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

ZaphodToday 08:30 am JST

TaiwanIsNotChina

Let's hope "preparing for any development" means preparing to defend Taiwan.

...and on what legal basis would that be? Japan does not legally recognize Taiwan as a country, so legally that would be interfering in a civil war.

How about officially recognizing Taiwans independence before talking big?

If you were American you would know that the US can switch its recognition to Taiwan at any time and support that side in a "civil war" fully legally.

2 ( +11 / -9 )

China won't make the mistake of trying to invade but we'll see. Worlds due for a large scale war.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

FosToday 08:31 am JST

@ TaiwanIsNotChina

Fully explains the 75 year commitment to defend Taiwan. /s

As far as we know U.S. does not support de jure Taiwan independence.

They don't support CCP takeover of Taiwan either.

Only in the past few years, to please their military apparatus and the Wall Street mercenaries, they are looking for fresh meat where to turn their attention since they have already placed good orders to destabilize Middle East and Europe.

Still 3% of gdp.

If you add the fact Taiwan produce advance quality chips, then it is the perfect script for the 5 stars generals at the Pentagon. If you ask 4 Americans out of 5 where is Taiwan, they would probably think is Marvel character.

Thankfully it is not up to the person on the street to remember who our real friends are.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

If you were American you would know that the US can switch its recognition to Taiwan at any time and support that side in a "civil war" fully legally.

Which will be seen as an act of war by the CCP , the trillion dollar question is not whether they could switch, whether they would switch.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

will prepare

Are they already prepare for this?

My guess is that the army is already prepare, that is just the politic speaking.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Samit BasuToday 07:00 am JST

Unfortunately, it simply means ensuring the war not spilling over to Japan

No, it means ensuring Japan's survival.

If China takes Taiwan, it would cut off Japan's Sea Lines of Communication. China would be able to hold hostage Japan's trade, energy, food, and everything else. Japan will not let this happen without a fight.

ZaphodToday 08:30 am JST

...and on what legal basis would that be?

Any/all of the following, which are all legal under Japan's constitution, could happen.

1) Basing, logistics, intelligence, etc. to support US combat operations, plus humanitarian assistance

2) Direct military action with the US via collective self-defense

3) If the Diet determines that there is an imminent attack on Japan by China, pre-emptive strikes

4) If China actually attacks Japan, a full response

6 ( +12 / -6 )

China would? Please provide historical evidence of China cutting off any country's sea lanes.

If China takes Taiwan, it would cut off Japan's Sea Lines of Communication

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

TaiwanIsNotChina,

 Taiwan is the property of the Taiwanese, that include the native Taiwanese.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

isabelle

4) If China actually attacks Japan, a full response

Here it is: the "warmongering narrative" which Washington is trying to spread in Japan based on no evidence, rather than "Social media hearsay" that China is hostile to Japan. If you would read a bit of history we know exactly the opposite. Japan occupied China and did what he did, no need to venture in specifics.

Because we live in this present era of shallow knowledge now we have crusaders and sheriffs trying to roll out rumors of an imminent attack of China, so that the mighty Japanese politician can convince the breadwinner in Tokyo that buying a Patriot US missile is more important than financing children policies on budget decisions. This is the issue of the problem. Money in Wall Street as opposed to dialogue and diplomacy in the continent which DO NOT belong tp Washington.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Ricky Kaminski13Today 09:44 am JST

If you were American you would know that the US can switch its recognition to Taiwan at any time and support that side in a "civil war" fully legally.

Which will be seen as an act of war by the CCP , the trillion dollar question is not whether they could switch, whether they would switch.

If 24 million people are at risk of death and enslavement, absolutely.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

deanzaZZRToday 10:36 am JST

China would? Please provide historical evidence of China cutting off any country's sea lanes.

China hasn't had a powerful navy in some time, but they try to cut off the Philippines legal access to their outposts and block military ships from legally transiting the Taiwan strait.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

The Government of China has made no secret, not for a moment attempting to play down the despot dictatorships obsession to invade Taiwan, to seize the Taiwan Strait Global shipping lane.

These provocative incursions, air/sea, the so called "large-scale military drills", tone belligerence will developing into a phased blockade.

Such action will accompany a military staged "domino effect" assisted by fully operational "fortified sandcastles" in the South China Sea.

This action will completely cut off region access to vital imports/exports.

“The South China Sea is the most valuable shipping lane in the world in terms of the value of trade that transits through it,” Marko Papic, chief global geo-macro strategist at BCA Research, told CNBC.

Global trade at risk as tensions escalate in South China Sea

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/11/global-trade-at-risk-as-tensions-escalate-in-south-china-sea-.html

Japan must consider without delay a independent offshore deterrent.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

deanzaZZRToday 10:36 am JST

Please provide historical evidence of China cutting off any country's sea lanes.

It's happening right now in the South China Sea.

FosToday 10:50 am JST

Here it is: the "warmongering narrative" which Washington is trying to spread in Japan based on no evidence

"If China attacks Japan, Japan would fight back" is a warmongering narrative spread by the US? Very strange interpretation.

I realize that the standard CCP strategy is to blame the US for most things, and suggest that other countries are its "vassals," but you're just being ridiculous here.

"Social media hearsay" that China is hostile to Japan.

Not just "social media hearsay:" threatening the Senkakus, economic coercion (seafood, rare earths, etc.), hostage diplomacy, tech stealing, cyber-attacks, etc. All Chinese hostility toward Japan.

If you would read a bit of history we know exactly the opposite. Japan occupied China

I'm well aware of history. All the people who made those decisions are long dead, and present-day Japan is very different to Imperial Japan of 80 years ago.

It's like comparing Nazi Germany to current Germany.

Because we live in this present era of shallow knowledge now we have crusaders and sheriffs trying to roll out rumors of an imminent attack of China

No, we have diplomatic, security, and military professionals wisely preparing in case it does happen.

You see, brutal dictatorships like China can do very irrational things, and the free world needs to be prepared. Just look at Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Funny. Trade flows normally across the SCS because China is a global trading nation dependent on global shipping. Your logic completely fails the logic test. China is the #1 trader of South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and on and on. Check the meds.

It's happening right now in the South China Sea.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

Yes, the 1.4 billion Chinese people in the PRC are slaves. This site is turning into high comedy if it wasn't a sad reflection on global ignorance.

If 24 million people are at risk of death and enslavement, absolutely.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

Sorry but Japan isn’t in any position to do anything anywhere. It’s a joke of a statement. China in Asia is master now and while it’s sad to state the obvious it’s just the reality at the moment. Waiting for China to declare Japan was once part of China also. lol. It’s maybe coming in a few more years.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

@ Isabel

We have diplomatic, security, and military professionals wisely preparing in case it does happen.

You see, brutal dictatorships like China can do very irrational things, and the free world needs to be prepared. Just look at Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

There is nothing brutal about China, only your vicious narrative, because you only read US media.

There is a population proud to be Chinese and would not change anything about their heritage.

Same as the there many Ukrainians who want dialogue with Russia and not being coerced to die on a battle front because of Washington problem to keep their fading hegemony, . 

We are talking about peace and stability here not "Hate speech" and false claims of “the attack is imminent” 

China has neither the intent nor the capability to attack Japan or any other country.

And the US is a very dangerous ally.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

@TaiwanIsNotChina

China hasn't had a powerful navy in some time, but they try to cut off the Philippines legal access to their outposts and block military ships from legally transiting the Taiwan strait.

With due respect, the Philippines claims are not a credible argument. Manila’s government was not credible with the sheriff Rodrigo Duterte, and it is even less trustworthy with Bongbong Marcos, who just sign a multi billion dollars agreement with the USA to build more military bases and commercials contracts with America corporations. 

Just a quick history recap: he is the son of Ferdinando Marcos who ruled the country under martial law for almost 10 years in the Seventies, and was deposed by a nonviolent revolution in 1986. History books remembers him for human rights abuses, civilian massacres, totable murders, ill-gotten wealth and kleptocracy. Obviously during his tenure he was a close ally of Washington and spent many years until his death in Hawaii, protected by the US administration.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

deanzaZZRToday 12:14 pm JST

Funny. Trade flows normally across the SCS because China is a global trading nation dependent on global shipping. Your logic completely fails the logic test.

When a totalitarian state that is well known for using economic coercion gets the chance to inflict even more, it's not a failure of logic to expect this to actually happen, and therefore to prepare accordingly in case. Governments would be remiss if they did not.

If you don't believe that China would hold hostage other nations' trade in the event that it controlled Taiwan, you are either very naive indeed, or something else that the JT mods would remove if I said it.

And I would remind you that part of the reason that "trade flows" is because the US, Japan and others keep these lines open.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

FosToday 12:46 pm JST

There is nothing brutal about China, only your vicious narrative, because you only read US media.

Perhaps you don't know about the CCP's censorship, arbitrary detention and torture, forced labor, occupation of Tibet, Xinjiang genocide, trashing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, Tiananmen massacre, organ harvesting, religious repression, occupation of the South China Sea, etc. etc. etc.

Perhaps you only read Xinhua and the People's Daily.

here is a population proud to be Chinese and would not change anything about their heritage.

It's fine to be proud about being Chinese. It's rather less fine to support the brutal dictatorship that is the CCP.

China has neither the intent nor the capability to attack Japan or any other country.

It certainly has the intent, but probably not the capability to attack Japan (due to the US alliance).

And, FYI, China is currently attacking the Philippines in the SCS, and invading the Indian border. Again, perhaps you are unaware.

FosToday 01:01 pm JST

With due respect, the Philippines claims are not a credible argument.

The Philippines' claims are recognized by UNCLOS (which China has ratified and is bound by). None of your other anti-US red herrings matter.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_China_Sea_Arbitration#Award

3 ( +6 / -3 )

FosToday 01:01 pm JST

@TaiwanIsNotChina

China hasn't had a powerful navy in some time, but they try to cut off the Philippines legal access to their outposts and block military ships from legally transiting the Taiwan strait.

With due respect, the Philippines claims are not a credible argument. Manila’s government was not credible with the sheriff Rodrigo Duterte, and it is even less trustworthy with Bongbong Marcos, who just sign a multi billion dollars agreement with the USA to build more military bases and commercials contracts with America corporations.

Just a quick history recap: he is the son of Ferdinando Marcos who ruled the country under martial law for almost 10 years in the Seventies, and was deposed by a nonviolent revolution in 1986. History books remembers him for human rights abuses, civilian massacres, totable murders, ill-gotten wealth and kleptocracy. Obviously during his tenure he was a close ally of Washington and spent many years until his death in Hawaii, protected by the US administration.

Doesn't matter what you think of the Philippines. China's claims take the cake for ridiculousness and don't even explain why they think they can disrupt travel in international waters.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

deanzaZZRToday 12:18 pm JST

Yes, the 1.4 billion Chinese people in the PRC are slaves. This site is turning into high comedy if it wasn't a sad reflection on global ignorance.

Tell us who has the bbc blocked for them and I will tell you who are the slaves.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

If China ever does take the big plunge by invading Taiwan, that's going to be a worldwide mess.

Moderator: Thanks for your contribution. Your comment has been featured in the latest episode of the Japan This Week podcast. Visit the Japan Today top page to listen.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

TaiwanIsNotChina

Doesn't matter what you think of the Philippines. China's claims take the cake for ridiculousness and don't even explain why they think they can disrupt travel in international waters.

It is not my idea of Philippines, I just gave a history check which is not part of US military dispatches for once.

It a bit strange that neither of the top South East Asian economies are following suit and are happy trading partners of China: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam to name a few. These accusations from Manila are so made up that even pro-US media finds difficult to keep up with their diabolical lies.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

FosToday 02:16 pm JST

TaiwanIsNotChina

Doesn't matter what you think of the Philippines. China's claims take the cake for ridiculousness and don't even explain why they think they can disrupt travel in international waters.

It is not my idea of Philippines, I just gave a history check which is not part of US military dispatches for once.

It a bit strange that neither of the top South East Asian economies are following suit and are happy trading partners of China: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam to name a few.

All scummy dictatorships, Muslim, or beholden to China.

These accusations from Manila are so made up that even pro-US media finds difficult to keep up with their diabolical lies.

That's because the US hasn't been allowed in to throw the pirates back yet.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

The China VS Taiwan issue is no longer about the Chiang VS Mao fisticuffs.

It is NOW an issue of DEMOCRACY vs DICTATORSHIP.

The US and Japan must clearly choose where to anchor their feet.

Stand with the Authoritarian Dictatorship OR fall in line with the DEMOCRATIC and FREEDOM loving & peaceful people of Taiwan?

4 ( +6 / -2 )

@Isabel

And, FYI, China is currently attacking the Philippines in the SCS, and invading the Indian border. Again, perhaps you are unaware.

I’ve mentioned it before, I think people in this chat are smarter and they know when you use the US military dispatched which sound ‘desperate’ to say the least, to fabricate this China anti-rhetoric on a daily base, just to preserve their interests on Wall Street. That does explain market climbing to new all-time highs. But I though we are talking about human aspirations here not pure greed and Goldman Sachs assets.

The Philippines' claims are recognized by UNCLOS (which China has ratified and is bound by). None of your other anti-US red herrings matter.

Your above arguments confirms my theory. China since the beginning of the altercations has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and shows that is not the ‘maverick’ country you described. Unlike United States of America which, to name one, never joined the International Court of Justice and hosts Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu to give a life lecture in Capitol Hill, what a farce! Or - just to stay in the "friends of US galaxy”, the state of Israel accuses Iran to destabilize Middle East but refuses to join Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. 

From that standpoint, there is no moral authority, really. How do you expect people can side with the US administration? A country that has provided 18 billion dollars in arm sales to the State of Israel from the beginning of this year to finance the genocide in Gaza and Lebanon operation?

https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/papers/2024/USspendingIsrael

over 55 billion to Ukraine since the start of the conflict, and let's no go even there....

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62002218#:~:text=The%20US%20has%20been%20the,Economy%2C%20a%20German%20research%20organisation.

And now is ready to turn the Asian continent into a powder keg. Dangerous:

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-strategy-anti-ship-weapons-counter-china-plentiful-mobile-deadly-2024-09-17/

You and your friends have no moral standing to forge stories against China.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

@ TaiwanIsNotChina

They are a list of options. It doesn't take a genius to see that ASEAN is not interested in democracy.

India is a democracy only when is part of QUAD, the rest of the time is a question mark, right? Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia are only as good as their willingness to provide space for US military, I would imagine. Can we say Japan is a better place, culturally and economically, since opening up to United Stated of America. I don’t think we can. You have your answer.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

FosToday 03:09 pm JST

@Isabel

And, FYI, China is currently attacking the Philippines in the SCS, and invading the Indian border. Again, perhaps you are unaware.

I’ve mentioned it before, I think people in this chat are smarter and they know when you use the US military dispatched which sound ‘desperate’ to say the least, to fabricate this China anti-rhetoric on a daily base, just to preserve their interests on Wall Street. That does explain market climbing to new all-time highs. But I though we are talking about human aspirations here not pure greed and Goldman Sachs assets.

Still 3% of gdp.

The Philippines' claims are recognized by UNCLOS (which China has ratified and is bound by). None of your other anti-US red herrings matter.

Your above arguments confirms my theory. China since the beginning of the altercations has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and shows that is not the ‘maverick’ country you described.

You have to do more than ratify the treaty. You actually have to abide by it. The US does the opposite so the US is actually less of a maverick in this respect.

Unlike United States of America which, to name one, never joined the International Court of Justice and hosts Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu to give a life lecture in Capitol Hill, what a farce!

Or - just to stay in the "friends of US galaxy”, the state of Israel accuses Iran to destabilize Middle East but refuses to join Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Completely irrelevant to the SCS but that's okay.

From that standpoint, there is no moral authority, really. How do you expect people can side with the US administration? A country that has provided 18 billion dollars in arm sales to the State of Israel from the beginning of this year to finance the genocide in Gaza and Lebanon operation?

https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/papers/2024/USspendingIsrael

Not every country is so concerned about eliminating Israel.

over 55 billion to Ukraine since the start of the conflict, and let's no go even there....

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62002218#:~:text=The%20US%20has%20been%20the,Economy%2C%20a%20German%20research%20organisation.

And that is shameful that it is so small.

And now is ready to turn the Asian continent into a powder keg. Dangerous:

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-strategy-anti-ship-weapons-counter-china-plentiful-mobile-deadly-2024-09-17/

If China doesn't start wars, it has nothing to worry about.

You and your friends have no moral standing to forge stories against China.

The country that murdered 15 million of its citizens for politics has no moral standing period.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

FosToday 03:23 pm JST

Can we say Japan is a better place, culturally and economically, since opening up to United Stated of America. I don’t think we can. You have your answer.

Is it the 4th most powerful country in Asia and 8th overall? Why yes, yes it is.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

It is NOW an issue of DEMOCRACY vs DICTATORSHIP.

Silly comment from the 20th century. The feudal aristocracy in democracy are the tech giants acquiring the digital landscape across the U.S. and the world.

Were it not for authoritarianism, Japan would not have Article 9 in its Constitution. MacArthur dictated quite well, eliminating the military and adding the articles in the Constitution necessary for peace. No war in 77 years.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

I can assure you the Philippines will need to pay up on protection frees. The US Navy does not work for free. Japan pays, Taiwan pays. South Kore pays. You have to pay. The Filipinos don't want to pay.

The ICBM sent a message to the US. All has been quiet since.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

FosToday 03:09 pm JST

they know when you use the US military dispatched which sound ‘desperate’ to say the least, to fabricate this China anti-rhetoric on a daily base, just to preserve their interests on Wall Street.

Absolutely nothing to do with the article, or my reply. You're just trying to employ the standard CCP strategy that I mention above: blame the US.

It won't work.

China since the beginning of the altercations has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and shows that is not the ‘maverick’ country you described.

And breaking this treaty that it has ratified shows that China is wrong, and cannot be trusted. The same as the WTO, Sino-British Joint Declaration, and everything else that China breaks.

Honestly, it's not hard to understand.

Unlike United States of America...

There you go again - trying to blame the US. The rest of your comment is irrelevant.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

quercetumToday 03:38 pm JST

It is NOW an issue of DEMOCRACY vs DICTATORSHIP.

Silly comment from the 20th century. The feudal aristocracy in democracy are the tech giants acquiring the digital landscape across the U.S. and the world.

Democracy does exist and China ain't it.

Were it not for authoritarianism, Japan would not have Article 9 in its Constitution. MacArthur dictated quite well, eliminating the military and adding the articles in the Constitution necessary for peace. No war in 77 years.

And all due to former PM Shidehara.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

quercetumToday 03:44 pm JST

The ICBM sent a message to the US. All has been quiet since.

What ICBM? So scary it completely went unnoticed.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

quercetumToday 03:38 pm JST

The feudal aristocracy in democracy are the tech giants acquiring the digital landscape across the U.S. and the world.

And any politicians that pander to them and prioritize their needs over the needs of the people will be voted out by the people. I realize you're unfamiliar with it, but that's how democracy works.

Were it not for authoritarianism, Japan would not have Article 9 in its Constitution. MacArthur dictated quite well

Total, and utter nonsense. Authoritarianism is a political system, not a post-war settlement involving a victorious power and a defeated aggressor, which is what you are referring to.

You're trying to draw a false equivalence, as you often do.

quercetumToday 03:44 pm JST

I can assure you the Philippines will need to pay up on protection frees.

The Philippine government pays willingly per the democratic mandate from its people - unlike "protection money," which is forced. It can end the arrangement at any time, and the US forces will leave - as they did in 1992.

But the Philippines will (like Japan) almost certainly keep the alliance until the CCP falls and China ceases to be a threat.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Isabelle

There you go again - trying to blame the US. The rest of your comment is irrelevant.

You can call it irrelevant but if you make generic comments about the WTO then you should admit that was US who started the illegal commercial battle with tariffs against China on a global scale, and now there is no way out.

When you talk about Sino-British Joint Declaration than you should point out that Hong Kong was the facto an invasion by Britain in the 1890, and China was coerced by Japan, Germany and Russia to grant concessions. 

Not surprisingly, China is determined that it must have the military capability to defend its homeland. However, it does not project its military power around the globe as does the US.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

FosToday 04:03 pm JST

Isabelle

There you go again - trying to blame the US. The rest of your comment is irrelevant.

You can call it irrelevant but if you make generic comments about the WTO then you should admit that was US who started the illegal commercial battle with tariffs against China on a global scale, and now there is no way out.

I believe it was China who said most companies operating in China required a domestic partner. Also China who manipulates their currency.

When you talk about Sino-British Joint Declaration than you should point out that Hong Kong was the facto an invasion by Britain in the 1890, and China was coerced by Japan, Germany and Russia to grant concessions. 

Not surprisingly, China is determined that it must have the military capability to defend its homeland. However, it does not project its military power around the globe as does the US.

The world's largest navy isn't necessary to protect Macau.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

@ TaiwanIsNotChina

The world's largest navy isn't necessary to protect Macau.

I can say the same thing over to you: over 650 overseas US military bases including in Guam, Diego Garcia, ROK and Japan that ring China, do not really scream we love peace.

The US fleet, with Japan support, regularly patrols off the China coast and Washington would have hysterics if Chinese vessels patrolled off the Californian coast and the Florida Keys. Or if China had B-52 type aircraft based in Mexico!

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

FosToday 04:48 pm JST

@ TaiwanIsNotChina

The world's largest navy isn't necessary to protect Macau.

I can say the same thing over to you: over 650 overseas US military bases including in Guam, Diego Garcia, ROK and Japan that ring China, do not really scream we love peace.

Guam is US territory and the US is right to be able to throw China back from trying to slaughter 24 million people.

The US fleet, with Japan support, regularly patrols off the China coast and Washington would have hysterics if Chinese vessels patrolled off the Californian coast and the Florida Keys.

The Soviets used to do exactly that. No hysterics involved.

Or if China had B-52 type aircraft based in Mexico!

China doesn't share a border with Japan or South Korea.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

voiceofokinawaToday  08:03 am JST

Corrected to reflect left out facts:

Taiwan used to be IJ's colony 1885-1945. Japan returned it to The Republic of China in accordance with the Potsdam Declaration in 1945. On October 25, 1945, the Republic of China took administrative control of Taiwan. This day is often referred to as "Retrocession Day" in Taiwan, marking the island’s return to Republic of China's rule. 

Soon after, Chang Kai Shek's Kuo Ming Tang Party fled to Taiwan in 1948 as the result of the ongoing civil war with Mao Tse Tang's Communist Party, and established the seat of The Republic of China on Taiwan.

The PRC did not even exist until 1949. Never has Taiwan been under the control or administration of the PRC (China).

The Taiwan issue must be considered in this context.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

@TaiwnaIsNotChina

The Soviets used to do exactly that. No hysterics involved.

Ah ok, now we are just making up stories with Russia now. Same as “Israel did not invade the Golan Heights and is abiding by the UN resolutions”. Anything goes, I see your point. Running out of pre-determined lines :)

China doesn't share a border with Japan or South Korea.

United States of America does not belong to the Asian continent. China does, same as Russia. We don’t need destabilizing villains, we need diplomacy done by the regional powers.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

OssanAmerica

The Taiwan issue must be considered in this context.

I totally agree. And while all your historical references are correct, the current context is this:

In 1979, Jimmy Carter recognized the PRC as "the sole legal government of China" established an embassy in Beijing while closing the U.S. embassy in Taipei.

And that has not changed.

So any military aid to Taiwan would go to a territory that the US does NOT recognize, and instead officially regards as represented by the CCP government in Peking.

Talk about having your cake and eat it! I am not arguing which country is better, I am simply pointing to the absurdity and diplomatic duplicity of the US.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

@Zaphod

Talk about having your cake and eat it! I am not arguing which country is better, I am simply pointing to the absurdity and diplomatic duplicity of the US.

It is all down to business and greed.. US financial market are on all time high. How do you explain it considering the uncertainty on the geopolitical front? The longer war(s) are going on, the more scope there is for Wall Street hedge funds to benefits from it, when you consider that the top 5 arms manufacturers in the world are all American. The fact that hundreds of thousands of innocent lives have been lost in Ukraine and Middle East alone does not mean a thing for those vultures of Blackrok and friends

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

The Chinese military conducted the drills as "a stern warning" to those seeking Taiwan's independence,

Poor old China cant buy a clue. Taiwan is now and has always been independent. There was no questioning China's obvious independence when it was the ROC recognized by the UN. And in exactly the same way there is no doubt ROC is still as independent today as it was before PRC came into existence.

Poor leaders of PRC are so effected by dementia they forgot Taiwan has been independent longer than PRC has been. Trying to stop what has been for so long already is impossible, like stopping a sunrise that has already risen. There is no putting the genie back in the bottle.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

ZaphodToday 05:56 pm JST

In 1979, Jimmy Carter recognized the PRC as "the sole legal government of China"

Of "China," not of "Taiwan."

The Taiwan Relations Act was also passed in 1979 (and is still in operation) precisely to help protect Taiwan from the PRC.

a territory that the US does NOT recognize, and instead officially regards as represented by the CCP government in Peking.

For the fiftieth, though no doubt not the last, time, the US does not regard Taiwan as being represented by Beijing. It merely "acknowledges" (like Japan) that Beijing holds this position.

...

https://www.us-taiwan.org/resources/faq-the-united-states-one-china-policy-is-not-the-same-as-the-prc-one-china-principle/

The United States’ “One China Policy” does not recognize Taiwan as part of the PRC.

The U.S. has never recognized Taiwan as a part of the PRC. The U.S. merely acknowledges that the PRC holds the position that Taiwan is part of the PRC.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

"Prepare for any development".

Yeah... prepare to pick out a panel to discuss the obvious problem, then do nothing about it while you try to both say you stand up for Taiwan, but also try to appease Beijing... you know, the capital of the country your own Foreign Ministry recognizes Taiwan as belonging to?

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

ZaphodToday  08:30 am JST

TaiwanIsNotChina

Let's hope "preparing for any development" means preparing to defend Taiwan.

...and on what legal basis would that be? Japan does not legally recognize Taiwan as a country, so legally that would be interfering in a civil war.

In 2015, Japan passed new security legislation that reinterpreted Article 9, allowing Japan to engage in collective self-defense. This means Japan can now assist an ally (such as the U.S.) if that ally is under attack. And it doesn't take a rocket scientist to predict that the U.S. would come under attack when it defends Taiwan.

Whether Taiwan is recognized as a sovereign nation is not relevant to the legal basis for military intervention on the part of Japan if it so chooses. The "Civil War" argument is the CCP narrative which not accepted by Taiwan or the rest of the world as the Chinese Civil War ended in 1949 and Taiwan has existed as a defacto independent nation since then.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

ZaphodToday  05:56 pm JST

OssanAmerica

The Taiwan issue must be considered in this context.

I totally agree. And while all your historical references are correct, the current context is this:

In 1979, Jimmy Carter recognized the PRC as "the sole legal government of China" established an embassy in Beijing while closing the U.S. embassy in Taipei.

And that has not changed.

Correct that the US (as well as other nations) recognize the PRC as the sole legal government of "China". However, there has always been a difference in interpretation. China considers the "one China policy" to include both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The US recognizes Peking to be the sole government of China, The US did however "recognize China's right to believe that Taiwan was included". But the U.S. itself has never recognized Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan. Hence the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979.

So any military aid to Taiwan would go to a territory that the US does NOT recognize, and instead officially regards as represented by the CCP government in Peking.

Incorrect, The U.S. does not consider Taiwan to be represented by the CCP government.

Talk about having your cake and eat it! I am not arguing which country is better, I am simply pointing to the absurdity and diplomatic duplicity of the US.

There is no duplicity or absurdity. There is merely a difference in interpretation resulting in two different positions.

It is China (PRC) which must renounce the right to take Taiwan by military force.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

smithinjapanToday 10:12 pm JST

you try to both say you stand up for Taiwan, but also try to appease Beijing... you know, the capital of the country your own Foreign Ministry recognizes Taiwan as belonging to?

Japan does not recognize Taiwan as belonging to Beijing.

It only acknowledges Beijing's position (like the US, and some other countries), and takes no explicit position itself on Taiwan's status: a policy of deliberate strategic ambiguity.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

isabelle

For the fiftieth, though no doubt not the last, time, the US does not regard Taiwan as being represented by Beijing. It merely "acknowledges" (like Japan) that Beijing holds this position.

And for umpteenth, no doubt not the last time, prior to the American policy shift, the Taiwanese government called itself the Republic of China and represented ALL OF CHINA, meaning Taiwan as well as mainland China.

And the US agreed with that position, and had an embassy in Taipeh.

In 1979, they reversed that position, recognized the CCP as representing China (meaning mainland China plus Taiwan), closed their embassy in Taipeh and opened their embassy in Peking.

Those are historical facts. The nitpicking of Taiwan never being under control of Peking de fact and all that is just an excuse for the US to have it both ways: Appease the CCP and not recognize Taiwan, and at the same time reserve the right to "defend" the Taiwan where they just closed their embassy.

This is ridiculous. Wanna fight for Taiwan? Then be honest, recognize Taiwan as independent and see your entire reliance on cheap production in mainland China collapse.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

ZaphodToday 11:01 pm JST

In 1979, they reversed that position, recognized the CCP as representing China (meaning mainland China plus Taiwan)

Your assertion is false. The US did not, and still does not, mean "mainland China plus Taiwan."

When the US first recognized the ROC as "China," the PRC didn't even exist, so the US could not "reverse" its original position in 1979. By 1979 there had been a civil war, Taiwan's status was disputed, and that was reflected in US policy.

The US has simply never held the position that the CCP owns Taiwan, per my link above. If you can produce a US government document that explicitly says the CCP does own Taiwan, I'd love to see it.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

China will not attack Taiwan militarily, I believe China will consume Taiwan by all other means.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

isabelle

When the US first recognized the ROC as "China," the PRC didn't even exist, so the US could not "reverse" its original position in 1979.

I do not know what is supposed to mean. The Chinese government (the ROC) retreated to Taiwan, being driven from the mainland by the communists, but the US consistently recognized it as representing China. That is simply a historical fact.

By 1979 there had been a civil war, Taiwan's status was disputed, and that was reflected in US policy.

What civil war are you talking about? By 1979 the ROC was controlling Taiwan, and the Communists were controlling mainland China. Mao was dead, and Peking was growing in power, as the more moderate Chan Kai Check (sp?) had taken over. There was no "civil war" any more. Both sides were claiming to represent all of China, and after Nixon decided to transfer recognition of who represents China from the ROC to the PRC i 1972, this was formalized in 1979. So the US embassy in Taipeh was closed, and a US embassy in Peking was opened. And all Taiwanese embassies in the US and the US vassal countries disappeared. There was no civil war in 1979.

So explain again how Taiwan is legally recognized as an independent country by the US?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

FosOct. 15 05:55 pm JST

@TaiwnaIsNotChina

I'm glad you bold it as it is important to remember.

The Soviets used to do exactly that. No hysterics involved.

Ah ok, now we are just making up stories with Russia now.

Nope. I'm not a naval expert but the russians still send ships:

https://navyhistory.org/2017/02/russian-spy-ship-off-delaware-brings-back-cold-war-memories/

China doesn't share a border with Japan or South Korea.

United States of America does not belong to the Asian continent. China does, same as Russia. We don’t need destabilizing villains, we need diplomacy done by the regional powers.

The only villains are China and russia who don't belong in polite company.

@Zaphod

Talk about having your cake and eat it! I am not arguing which country is better, I am simply pointing to the absurdity and diplomatic duplicity of the US.

It is all down to business and greed.. US financial market are on all time high. How do you explain it considering the uncertainty on the geopolitical front?

Not everything is about you.

The longer war(s) are going on, the more scope there is for Wall Street hedge funds to benefits from it, when you consider that the top 5 arms manufacturers in the world are all American.

Still 3% of gdp.

The fact that hundreds of thousands of innocent lives have been lost in Ukraine and Middle East alone does not mean a thing for those vultures of Blackrok and friends

Blackrock is allowed to invest in whatever they want. No more ethical investment than in arms for Ukraine.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

WoodyLeeToday 12:41 am JST

China will not attack Taiwan militarily, I believe China will consume Taiwan by all other means.

Free governments don't just disappear for you.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

ZaphodOct. 15 05:56 pm JST

OssanAmerica

The Taiwan issue must be considered in this context.

I totally agree. And while all your historical references are correct, the current context is this:

In 1979, Jimmy Carter recognized the PRC as "the sole legal government of China" established an embassy in Beijing while closing the U.S. embassy in Taipei.

And that has not changed.

So any military aid to Taiwan would go to a territory that the US does NOT recognize, and instead officially regards as represented by the CCP government in Peking.

Talk about having your cake and eat it! I am not arguing which country is better, I am simply pointing to the absurdity and diplomatic duplicity of the US.

And this matters f all when it comes to international law. There is nothing saying the US can't send weapons to non-Chinese in Taiwan. The duplicity comes in making other countries sign garbage statements that are patently false like the PRC does.

For the fiftieth, though no doubt not the last, time, the US does not regard Taiwan as being represented by Beijing. It merely "acknowledges" (like Japan) that Beijing holds this position.

And for umpteenth, no doubt not the last time, prior to the American policy shift, the Taiwanese government called itself the Republic of China and represented ALL OF CHINA, meaning Taiwan as well as mainland China.

And the US agreed with that position, and had an embassy in Taipeh.

I'm sure you think these things mean something but it isn't clear what it is in 2024.

In 1979, they reversed that position, recognized the CCP as representing China (meaning mainland China plus Taiwan), closed their embassy in Taipeh and opened their embassy in Peking.

Those are historical facts. The nitpicking of Taiwan never being under control of Peking de fact and all that is just an excuse for the US to have it both ways: Appease the CCP and not recognize Taiwan, and at the same time reserve the right to "defend" the Taiwan where they just closed their embassy.

Peking knew what it was signing up for when it normalized relations with the US. There was no secret.

This is ridiculous. Wanna fight for Taiwan? Then be honest, recognize Taiwan as independent and see your entire reliance on cheap production in mainland China collapse.

How about not planning to crush a free people?

By 1979 there had been a civil war, Taiwan's status was disputed, and that was reflected in US policy.

What civil war are you talking about? By 1979 the ROC was controlling Taiwan, and the Communists were controlling mainland China. Mao was dead, and Peking was growing in power, as the more moderate Chan Kai Check (sp?) had taken over. There was no "civil war" any more. Both sides were claiming to represent all of China, and after Nixon decided to transfer recognition of who represents China from the ROC to the PRC i 1972, this was formalized in 1979. So the US embassy in Taipeh was closed, and a US embassy in Peking was opened. And all Taiwanese embassies in the US and the US vassal countries disappeared. There was no civil war in 1979.

That runs counter to the justification by which the mainlanders will try to crush Taiwan and claim it is legal. No civil war means Taiwan is independent and entitled to territorial integrity.

So explain again how Taiwan is legally recognized as an independent country by the US?

The US doesn't take a position on whether Taiwan is an independent country but can at any time.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Japan, just relax..

This matter does not belong to you, do not play at being the US lapdog, stay on the sidelines and you wiil be safe and better..

Unification is unstoppable and Taiwan will soon return home to its Chinese mother..

Moderator: Thanks for your contribution. Your comment has been featured in the latest episode of the Japan This Week podcast. Visit the Japan Today top page to listen.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Let's hope "preparing for any development" means preparing to defend Taiwan.

Japan does not have to get involved in a war that does not belong to it, stop deliring about Yankee wars, that only bring harm to the world..

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

TaiwanIsChina is on fire in the whiny comments..

https://media1.tenor.com/m/lirAMlHkR5YAAAAC/tantrum-throwing-a-fit.gif

LOOOOOOL

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Don't hold back.

If you don't believe that China would hold hostage other nations' trade in the event that it controlled Taiwan, you are either very naive indeed, or something else that the JT mods would remove if I said it.

All you do is repost USA State Department policy in increasingly lengthy posts.

I encourage you to put your cards on the table. I am a USA citizen who has worked in China, Taiwan and Japan. My wife is Japanese and I plan to retire in Japan so I have a personal stake in all of this. What about you?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

The 13 American colonies stood up for its independence and declared independence from the then world super power. Apparently the DPP government on Taiwan lacks this resolve and courage.

This is ridiculous. Wanna fight for Taiwan? Then be honest, recognize Taiwan as independent

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

deanzaZZRToday 03:09 am JST

The 13 American colonies stood up for its independence and declared independence from the then world super power. Apparently the DPP government on Taiwan lacks this resolve and courage.

They don't want to be annihilated by the thugs on the mainland. This makes sense.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

@deanzaZZRToday 

Don't hold back. All you do is repost USA State Department policy in increasingly lengthy posts.

About (TaiwanIsNotChina). He is a US Secret service informant, created by the AI, who keeps repeating the same falls statements. This is how the mighty American government tries to brainwash people, to please their own lobbies in Washington. Ethically incredible that such apparatus could even exist :(

1 ( +3 / -2 )

FosToday  07:28 am JST

About (TaiwanIsNotChina). He is a US Secret service informant, created by the AI, who keeps repeating the same falls statements.

I'm glad you think I have the knowledge of the entire internet at my disposal.

This is how the mighty American government tries to brainwash people, to please their own lobbies in Washington. Ethically incredible that such apparatus could even exist :(

Well if lies about who started wars and who is aggressive are repeated, they will be countered as many times as is necessary.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

ZaphodToday 12:43 am JST

So explain again

I and others have already explained it several times, and I have provided a link that states US policy.

If you still don't understand it, I'm afraid I can't help you any further.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

isabelle

I and others have already explained it several times, and I have provided a link that states US policy.

I am afraid you have not; you only presented your spin on the issue. And US "policy" is a weasel worded way to have it both ways: Official agree with Pekings "one China" policy, while disagreeing with it.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Fos

The 43.000 innocent lives lost in Gaza and the $18 billions sent to Israel in arms by the US administration this year (and counting) are evidence of who is making money with the financial market on all time high.

Gaza is a different issue, and I wish people would not conflate these topics. Yes, the military industrial complex profits from arms supply to Israel, but they also profit from the arms supply to Egypt, to Jordan, to the Gulf states etc. They profit from every conflict. Fwiw, they even profited from the stupid 20-year war in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the islamist war against Israel is real, and Israel does have legitimate security interest (such as, most fundamentally, the right to exist). This is very different from other conflicts in the world.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

ZaphodToday 10:09 am JST

isabelle

I and others have already explained it several times, and I have provided a link that states US policy.

I am afraid you have not; you only presented your spin on the issue. And US "policy" is a weasel worded way to have it both ways: Official agree with Pekings "one China" policy, while disagreeing with it.

And that's a good thing. If you were an American, you would understand that.

Gaza is a different issue, and I wish people would not conflate these topics.

Or, you know, you could be consistent and condemn the actions of russia/China.

Yes, the military industrial complex profits from arms supply to Israel, but they also profit from the arms supply to Egypt, to Jordan, to the Gulf states etc. They profit from every conflict. Fwiw, they even profited from the stupid 20-year war in Afghanistan.

Still 3% of gdp.

Meanwhile, the islamist war against Israel is real, and Israel does have legitimate security interest (such as, most fundamentally, the right to exist). This is very different from other conflicts in the world.

The war of russia against Ukraine is real, too, and Ukraine has a right to exist. No different.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

No importa nadie Dear Isabella. The USA does not rule the world.

If you still don't understand it, I'm afraid I can't help you any further.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

@ TaiwanIsNotChina

3% of gdp.

You need to add a couple of hundreds bucks to that percentage, I guess :) But again, I think there are moral and decent ways to earn a living.

On a more serious and less pitiful front, everyone knows the today US is a was economy, more than Russia could ever be. They can keep up with the production of weapons of mass destruction, and they are asking Japan to produce missiles to then ship to US. What a nice gesture from an ally and Japanese tax payers!

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

@ Zaphod

Israel does have legitimate security interest 

Zaphod, nobody is denying the right of self defense of Israel and indeed to exist as a State, but we are talking about the disproportionate use of force in the last year by Benjamin Netanyahu, and the killing of innocent people, children and women.

These are facts verified, which the US administration knows exactly through the likes of Anthony Blinken and Lloyd Austin (Biden is a breed of his own), and who cannot/do not want to contradict the military apparatus in Washington hedge funds in Wall Street.

You are naming wars and conflicts which were initiated by a single entity, not Russia, not China, (Afghanistan, Iraq) from which enormous profits were generated and millions (not thousands) of victims. 

The arms provisions to Israel from the US administration this year alone are more than quadrupled, official data, and consider that US led media don’t reveal what is going on really inside those lobbies in the Congress. 

Hence these annoying informant’s claims are based on fabricated lies and need to be stopped for the sake of dialogue diplomacy.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

FosToday 02:43 pm JST

@ TaiwanIsNotChina

3% of gdp.

You need to add a couple of hundreds bucks to that percentage, I guess :) But again, I think there are moral and decent ways to earn a living.

Which would make it still... 3% of gdp. Nothing more moral and decent than supporting Ukraine.

On a more serious and less pitiful front, everyone knows the today US is a was economy, more than Russia could ever be. They can keep up with the production of weapons of mass destruction, and they are asking Japan to produce missiles to then ship to US. What a nice gesture from an ally and Japanese tax payers!

So clearly the US needs to spend more on the military, right?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I do not understand the animosity against China in this forum. 

I believe on a daily base we are being led in our anti-Beijing hysteria by the United States which is not concerned that China will attack us, but is worried that its world hegemony is being challenged.

China has not been engaged in military activity for the past forty years. In that time, the US has overthrown numerous governments and illegally invaded many countries. For that reason, and not surprisingly, China focuses on domestic issues and the protection of its borders.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

If China takes Taiwan, it would cut off Japan's Sea Lines of Communication. China would be able to hold hostage Japan's trade, energy, food, and everything else.

Why would China want to hold Japan hostage to the above...any particluar reason? Not just rhetoric.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

TaiwanIsNotChinaOct. 15  06:41 am JST

Let's hope "preparing for any development" means preparing to defend Taiwan.

Are you ready to go and defend Taiwan?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Why would China want to hold Japan hostage to the above...any particluar reason? Not just rhetoric.

Because China could use such position as leverage to coerce Japan into:

A) surrendering the Senkaku Islands to China;

B) surrendering to China's demands with respect to maritime boundaries between the two countries;

C) abandoning its defensive alliance with the United States and becoming dependent on China instead;

D) abandoning its opposition to maximalist Chinese claims in the South China Seas;

E) doing basically anything China wants it to.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Sure it could, but is extremely unlikely to do so....cost of doing so far outweighs the benefits.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

China has not been engaged in military activity for the past forty years. In that time, the US has overthrown numerous governments and illegally invaded many countries. 

Apologists for Nazi Germany in the 1930s seeking to dupe credulous audiences would brag that unlike Britain and France the Nazis were not subjugating large parts of the world through a vast colonial empire.

That didn't make the Nazis right when they sought to conquer Europe, nor does what you say make China right as it seeks to dominate East Asia through the threat of military aggression today.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

burgers and beersToday 03:45 pm JST

TaiwanIsNotChinaOct. 15  06:41 am JST

Let's hope "preparing for any development" means preparing to defend Taiwan.

Are you ready to go and defend Taiwan?

I totally would!!! My Mandarin isn't great, though.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

SavioToday 03:41 pm JST

China has not been engaged in military activity for the past forty years. In that time, the US has overthrown numerous governments and illegally invaded many countries. For that reason, and not surprisingly, China focuses on domestic issues and the protection of its borders.

So how does assaulting ships in the SCS and Taiwan Strait protect the PRC's borders? Also China's allies are now trying their own regime changes with nary a word from Peking.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

SavioToday 03:41 pm JST

I do not understand the animosity against China in this forum.

Perhaps you don't read the news.

I believe on a daily base we are being led in our anti-Beijing hysteria by the United States

Here we go again - blame the US.

China has not been engaged in military activity for the past forty years.

It's engaged in military activity right now, violating the Indian border, and military/paramilitary activity in the South China Sea.

Remember, China's "Coast Guard" is part of the People's Armed Police, which reports to the Central Military Commission, just like the PLA - there really is little difference. And China's paramilitary "fishing" [sic] fleet ultimately does likewise.

In that time, the US has overthrown numerous governments and illegally invaded many countries.

Here we go again - blame the US.

For that reason, and not surprisingly, China focuses on domestic issues and the protection of its borders.

Stealing your neighbors' territory and attacking their ships when in those countries' own waters, is not "protection of borders." It is unprovoked, state-sponsored aggression.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

burgers and beersToday 03:59 pm JST

Sure it could, but is extremely unlikely to do so....cost of doing so far outweighs the benefits.

Such cost-benefit analysis clearly does not matter to Xi, as he clearly appears to be driven by ideology and the usual dictatorial lust for power.

The costs of alienating all your neighbors, trading partners, and investors, and ruining your economy just to increase CCP control and steal a little more territory (when you're already one of the world's largest countries) clearly outweigh the benefits... but Xi still does this.

It's the same with other authoritarians, like Putin, Stalin, Hitler, etc.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Sure it could, but is extremely unlikely to do so....cost of doing so far outweighs the benefits.

If China has already conquered Taiwan militarily then the cost of it doing whatever it wants to Japan with its newfound dominance of the seas surrounding it is basically zero, so your argument makes no sense.

The costs of invading Taiwan are, of course, extremely high, but whatever it gains vis-a-vis Japan is going to be a very minor point in the "benefit" side of the equation for them, far outweighed by the value Xi attaches to taking Taiwan itself.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Isabelle those that I've mentioned are history facts, events that you can't dispute, and find on any truthful history book in Europe. I am not talking about social media or news, and certainly not in China or Russia media. 

Fact: If China was an imperial power as you describe it, it would have swallowed up Mongolia, a democratic, mineral rich state which is more than twice the size of Ukraine.

We need to put these stories into context. I think the narration you are creating is one sided does not help the discourse

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Taiwan same as above you are not putting history into context, not sourcing your fiery narrative. To start with, it would help if you lower your one side rhetoric.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

SavioToday 05:23 pm JST

Taiwan same as above you are not putting history into context, not sourcing your fiery narrative. To start with, it would help if you lower your one side rhetoric.

I'll be as exercised as I want in the defense of 24 million people and their freedoms.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

All right then, I will leave you to it then :)

A bit like "Don Quixote fighting windmills", attacking imaginary enemies or evils.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

SavioToday 05:19 pm JST

Fact: If China was an imperial power as you describe it, it would have swallowed up Mongolia, a democratic, mineral rich state which is more than twice the size of Ukraine.

This isn't a "fact" at all. It's an assertion. No-one can state this as "fact" with any authority.

Isabelle those that I've mentioned are history facts, events that you can't dispute, and find on any truthful history book in Europe.

Which ones? The one that "China has not been engaged in military activity for the past forty years?" I proved that wrong.

Or the US stuff? I am fully aware of the US's history, but it has nothing to do with China's current aggression. It is, as I say, just the usual "tu quoque" tactic of blaming the US for everything to deflect blame from China.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

isabelle

Assertion or fact, I am expressing an 'opinion' which cannot be disputed, Mongolia is a free sovereign state, and neighbor to China.

The tactic that you mentioned is subordinate to Washington history. Which is described on history books.

 It is now well over forty years since China has been at war. By contrast, the United States has repeatedly embarked on military interventions across the globe. In the course of the 20th century, it has participated in 39 armed conflicts, or one every three years, and since 2000 it has engaged in at least 12 wars, the equivalent of one every two years.

Forcing Asian countries, to choose between the USA and China is unlikely to work. Even close Asian allies of the US have shown that they prefer to go their own way in geopolitics.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Fact: If China was an imperial power as you describe it, it would have swallowed up Mongolia, a democratic, mineral rich state which is more than twice the size of Ukraine.

So the bar for proving that a country isn’t imperialist is that if countries simply exist next to it, it isn’t?

(Looks at map), OK, so Mexico and Canada both exist, therefore the US is not an imperial power, otherwise it would have taken them over.

Neat how that logic works.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

rainyday

It is about perceptions, I am referring to the anti-China hysteria which I see built up in this forum. If we judge Beijing's behavior with the same logic employed while we question the legitimacy of the safety of Taiwan, then Mongolia could be at risk. And since it is not, we must assume the persistent goading of China is just an illusion.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

SavioToday 06:28 pm JST

Assertion or fact, I am expressing an 'opinion'

No problem with opinions. Just don't try to claim they're facts when they're not.

It is now well over forty years since China has been at war.

I note you changed your argument from "military activity" to "war."

Regardless, it doesn't change the fact that China is currently engaged in aggression against its neighbors, both kinetic (military/paramilitary) and non-kinetic.

By contrast, the United States...

Here we go again - blame the US. Tu quoque fallacy.

SavioToday 06:56 pm JST

I am referring to the anti-China hysteria which I see built up in this forum.

Reporting and commenting on what China is actually doing is not hysteria.

And since it is not, we must assume the persistent goading of China is just an illusion.

"You" can assume that if you want, but "we" must not, as your logic is simply laughable.

But feel free to continue amusing us if you wish. I thought this thread would be long dead by now, but there are evidently some gems still to be found here.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

It is about perceptions, I am referring to the anti-China hysteria which I see built up in this forum. If we judge Beijing's behavior with the same logic employed while we question the legitimacy of the safety of Taiwan, then Mongolia could be at risk. And since it is not, we must assume the persistent goading of China is just an illusion.

This is just nonsense. We can judge China’s threat to Taiwan by how China is threatening Taiwan. China not threatening to invade Mongolia tells us as much about China’s intentions with Taiwan as the US not threatening to invade Canada or Mexico in March of 2003 told us about its intentions with respect to Iraq - absolutely nothing.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

isabelle 

I need to remind you that my opinion (which is another word for assertion) is actually a real fact, an occurrence. I am referring to Mongolia here. 

The fallacy you imply is indeed real as you have mentioned earlier on, and your side of the story is hypocritical because of the historical facts I have just listed, which you cannot dispute. And above all you cannot make up wars that China was involved in, only present “alleged threats”. That is the definition of hysteria. 

The basic fact is that China has become the major resident power in the Asia-Pacific region and is, and will remain, active in it, and we simply have to accept and get used to that.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

rainyday

Come again with Iraq 2003? I don’t really follow your narrative.

We are talking about history and facts here?

I thought the principal reason for invading Iraq, that Saddam Hussein had WMD, was a lie fabricated by Washington . That is in the history books.

Or am I missing something? Never mind I can see where these conversations are going.

I am starting to think that real propaganda do exist and perhaps truth is just an illusion.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Come again with Iraq 2003? I don’t really follow your narrative.

“Analogy

noun

a comparison between one thing and another, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.”

2 ( +3 / -1 )

TaiwanIsNotChina

Or, you know, you could be consistent and condemn the actions of russia/China.

Or, you know, you could be consistent and condemn the actions of the US. We can play this game forever.

Fact is, not every conflict in the world is identical and has the same background. What is consistent is US attempted hegemony over the entire planet. Who else has 800 military bases around the world and unilaterally decides to intervene everywhere at will? In case of Taiwan, they decided to make a convenient agreement ("one China policy") but then act as if that agreement never existed. Hey, it is just words....

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

SavioOct. 16 06:28 pm JST

Assertion or fact, I am expressing an 'opinion' which cannot be disputed, Mongolia is a free sovereign state, and neighbor to China.

Good for them I guess. They had to toss China out to achieve it on some level. In any event Taiwan is in a much more precarious position given Peking's unwillingness to compromise with democracies.

 It is now well over forty years since China has been at war. By contrast, the United States has repeatedly embarked on military interventions across the globe. In the course of the 20th century, it has participated in 39 armed conflicts, or one every three years, and since 2000 it has engaged in at least 12 wars, the equivalent of one every two years.

A "fact" irrelevant to defending Taiwan from destruction.

Forcing Asian countries, to choose between the USA and China is unlikely to work. Even close Asian allies of the US have shown that they prefer to go their own way in geopolitics.

Allies such as...

2 ( +4 / -2 )

ZaphodOct. 16 09:52 pm JST

TaiwanIsNotChina

Or, you know, you could be consistent and condemn the actions of russia/China.

Or, you know, you could be consistent and condemn the actions of the US. We can play this game forever.

I do condemn the few select actions in need of it, like the Iraq war and the support for Israel. As an American unlike you that is especially relevant.

Fact is, not every conflict in the world is identical and has the same background. What is consistent is US attempted hegemony over the entire planet. Who else has 800 military bases around the world and unilaterally decides to intervene everywhere at will? In case of Taiwan, they decided to make a convenient agreement ("one China policy") but then act as if that agreement never existed. Hey, it is just words....

If you were American, you would not be concerned about this. The garbage three communiques are just words that were written to deal with Peking petulance.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

SavioOct. 16 08:13 pm JST

The fallacy you imply is indeed real as you have mentioned earlier on, and your side of the story is hypocritical because of the historical facts I have just listed, which you cannot dispute. And above all you cannot make up wars that China was involved in, only present “alleged threats”. That is the definition of hysteria. 

The threats of China we can see with our own eyes are important.

The basic fact is that China has become the major resident power in the Asia-Pacific region and is, and will remain, active in it, and we simply have to accept and get used to that.

But will not be allowed to bully smaller nations.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

TaiwanIsNotChina

I think another reader, Zaphod, is right. Until you put your personal convictions aside, we can go on forever. For the sake of accuracy and correctness we need to put official history facts in front of your narrative, and then you can freely express your personal views, without flawed accusations. 

The reason why I am conveying doubts about your position is that your narration is based on “assumptions”, there is no real evidence of what the alarmists pro US media are anticipating. And I need to remind you that, based on history facts, past and present, what we should be aware is another plausible conflict instigated by the player you are arduously defending. 

China does not have a history of military aggression beyond the defence of its own borders. It has only one foreign base in Djibouti, mainly for anti-piracy purposes. 

In contrast, the US has over 800 overseas bases including in Guam, Diego Garcia, ROK and Japan that ring China. The US fleet regularly patrols off the China coast. 

As China reasserts its historic world role there is no doubt that Chinese influence and footprint is growing in our region but there is no evidence whatsoever that we are under military threat from China.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

SavioToday 09:46 am JST

China does not have a history of military aggression beyond the defence of its own borders.

As previously demonstrated, China is engaged in military aggression right now that is nothing to do with the defense of its own borders. And that's without even considering its "history" in things like the annexation of Tibet.

Your attempt to paint China as a "benign" power is ludicrous.

As China reasserts its historic world role

No role should involve attacking others and stealing their territory, as China is doing.

there is no evidence whatsoever that we are under military threat from China.

As previously demonstrated, several countries are enduring military threats, and actual aggression, from China right now.

If there is "no evidence" to you, perhaps you are not looking hard enough, or just parroting the CCP line.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Right, except Taiwan is a Province of China with a rebel government hiding away there. Aside from that you have "demonstrated" so much. If you haven't visited before, I suggest you visit Taiwan if you have a chance. You will get along more easily if you speak and read Chinese.

As previously demonstrated, China is engaged in military aggression right now that is nothing to do with the defense of its own borders.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

deanzaZZRToday 01:40 pm JST

Right, except Taiwan is a Province of China with a rebel government hiding away there.

A rebel government that is orders of magnitude more respectable than the garbage CCP.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

SavioToday 09:46 am JST

TaiwanIsNotChina

I think another reader, Zaphod, is right. Until you put your personal convictions aside, we can go on forever. For the sake of accuracy and correctness we need to put official history facts in front of your narrative, and then you can freely express your personal views, without flawed accusations.

The official history is the PRC is ramming boats in international waters and conducting military exercises around Taiwan regularly.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

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