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China says it won't rule out using force to reunify Taiwan

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China getting ever more assertive.

15 ( +17 / -2 )

Now the regime is shedding its spots, the millionaire diaspora are in a cleft stick. Awaiting instructions like so many Manchurian candidates, or just pragmatists content to exploit Guanxi connections but lacking any ideological core, all should be under no illusion that their position is anything other than extremely tenuous.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

hina said it will not renounce the use of force in efforts to reunify Taiwan with the mainland and vowed to take all necessary military measures to defeat "separatists."

Real meaning: We will definitely force subjugation by all means. Doesn't matter if we have to kill all the dissidents.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

U.S., Japanese and Australian moves to beef up their military presence and alliances in the Asia-Pacific as bringing uncertainties to the region.

If uncertainties means protecting the little guy from bully boy tactics and threats of death, then please be uncertain.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

The Chinese Communist Party can't 'unify' what it never held.

18 ( +20 / -2 )

Time to take companies to task for Chinese production and pull out

12 ( +13 / -1 )

The white paper is full of egotistical thoughts of communists.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Was in Taiwan last week, no-one needs to dare to separate, it is separate and may it remain so!

The Chinese tourists do not line up in the citizen line, they line up with the other foreigners.. these are the facts.

Im not saying China is out and out bad neccesarily (though no fan) nor that any other country is better (though they might be), or they can't for the most part do what they want with-in mainland china but simply the more they try to change the status quo the closer we get to struggles for resources, territory and control the closer we move to wars and the suffering of all people on all sides.

Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the other democratic nations of the pacific needs to start thinking about the larger picture very soon!

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Taiwan has not been a part of the Chinese mainland since 1949. They have been independent of the Chinese Communist Party for 70 years or almost 3 generations. Taiwan is Taiwan. They are not going to reunite with China until China embraces democracy and even then they may choose to remain independent. China got away with invading and subjugating Tibet in the 1950's but Taiwan is different proposition.

16 ( +17 / -1 )

Taiwan will never belong to China.

17 ( +20 / -3 )

China will never rule out the use of force to conquer Taiwan. For a start, the moment they did take it off the table, the independence movement would get a huge boost because there would no longer be the threat of violence. Furthermore, the constants threats of military action in Taiwan (or the South China Sea and the Senkaku Rocks, for that matter) keep attention focused on China and make sure they take the Chinese regime seriously. I'm not certain they'd be willing to go for all-out war, but the constant belligerence certainly serves a purpose.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Is Putin going to along with this?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

There is no "reunification"; Taiwan was never part of the CCP!

13 ( +14 / -1 )

To call an INVASION of Taiwan as "re-unification" is like calling the Nanjing Massacre as a "Japanese Picnic".

8 ( +11 / -3 )

China's statement of using military force to "reunify" (read: annex) Taiwan is not a threat of aggression? Where are the usual anti-US/anti-Abe pundits who claim the U.S. and Japan are acting like warmongers?

Retired Japanese General Kunio Orita, a 35-year veteran of JSDF, believes that when China completes militarizing the disputed islet in the South China Seas it will be ready to attack and annex Taiwan by 2025. China will declare a no-fly zone around Taiwan and shoot down any aircraft or sink any ship that tries to aid Taiwan. After the annex, a pro-Beijing regime will be installed.

After annexing Taiwan, they will militarily dominate the South China Seas, then claim the Senkaku Islands and eventually claim Okinawa by 2045.

When China can force the U.S. military out of the region, it can conquer both South and East China Seas, and combined with Russia's access to the Pacific Ocean through the Kuril Islands, they can gain the power to block any trade between Japan and other countries.

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3617624

https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/retired-japanese-general-predicts-china-will-invade-taiwan-by-2025-okinawa-by-2045-1.569228

Japan had better rethink its opposition to changes to Article 9, paragraph 2 and allow PM Abe to build Japan's military capability to supplement the U.S. military in responding to threats and defending the Pacific region beyond Japan coastal waters.

And the U.S. military should not succumb to pressures to remove its forces and vacate its bases in Okinawa. Once the U.S military is forced out of Okinawa, there's no stopping China from dominating the Pacific region as China has demonstrated.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

How's Xi's Hong Kong ploy playing out? These areas are mostly bereft of natural resources and depend on their highly-educated populice to thrive. If Beijing oversteps, the people will simply flee, and Beijing will be left with a pile of rocks. And they know this.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

I talked to some Taiwanese once about this, they said its likely it will happen, like the writing is on the wall.

If it does, Japan is going to be in some trouble as they are probably next.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

BORING! The communist Chinese government has been saying this since 1949. Maybe they forget they said it a while ago. Someone should just tell them we all knows and please try something new.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Authoritarian China aka the PROC immediately became a great threat to democratic ROC-TW when the USA cut off , ISIS-style the diplomatic neck that once connected Washington and Taipei.

The peaceful and democratic Island Republic is now akin to a naked warrior with no diplomatic shield fighting against a fully armored communist brute equipped with full American diplomatic da-kine WMD.

The USA must re-establish full diplomatic love to the ROC-TW so that it will have diplomatic parity with the dictatorship in Beijing.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Unlike shame culture Japan, the Middle Kingdom has none whatsoever. What they say here about their greatest economic benefactor is par for the course and should disabuse all who would still give it the benefit of the doubt about its being a responsible member of the world community.

“Earlier, China’s ministry of foreign affairs blamed foreign forces, in particular the US, for the turmoil in Hong Kong. “We can see that US officials are behind such incidents. Can US officials honestly tell the world what role they played and what are their aims?” spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Tuesday. “We advise the US to withdraw their black hands,” she said. “The US should know one thing, that Hong Kong is China’s Hong Kong and we do not allow any foreign interference,” she said.”

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The US should push ahead with diplomatic direct channels with Taiwan. Don't ask, don't tell just do it. After all the Chinese did the very same thing in building the rock islands into military bases Don't recall them asking anyone if was ok.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

What is democracy good for if it is used as a mean to separate nation, to divide people, to invite wars ?

-15 ( +1 / -16 )

Unless it benefits the US, I really dont care one way or the other what happens to Japan, they got themselves into this mess during WW2, were very arrogant and selfish, now they must deal with what they created. Not a big Japan fan, sorry to disappoint.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Lol...like this is something new. Yes, we know, you’ve been saying that for decades.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

When there is a fight between sovereignty and democracy, we know who will wins.

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

reunify Taiwan?

China has never unified Taiwan.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

I love Taiwan. Look at it as an Island...no way can the mainland land on it and travel across through it and conquer it.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I feel that many Japanese think the US is to blame for the rise of a belligerent China, because if the US would of just left Japan alone with their conquest, then China would be subordinate of Japan. Both of these countries have been making trouble for the US and others, for a long time. Wished they both would just grow up without the need for a Western arbitrator, but we all know that will never happen.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

By all international laws, and UN chapters, China has united with Taiwan sovereignly, since the beginning of the universe, except during Japanese brief brutal occupation 80 years ago.

Sorry but that is incorrect. China has had no say in Taiwan internal affairs for 70 years. And at the beginning of the universe there was no such thing as China, or Chinese people.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

China would destroy Taiwan take it? Is this like the sound of one hand clapping?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I had once read that the US wanted Japan to take the lead, on protecting the wall of democracy in Taiwan, HK, Japan, SK etc. from China and Russia. The problem is that Japan has never apologized for its past, still hold on to it, and only cares about itself.

If Japan would become a true democracy, with a monarch, like Sweden, and put aside tribalism and other useless traits that are ingrained in its culture, then, with the US, they could take the lead in standing guard against the Chinese, and stand up their own military, join the West in operations overseas etc. Instead they quibble with SK and others over every little spat, visit to yasukuni to show they are still defenders of the faith, and enjoy the US security umbrella, all the while reminescent over past glories They lack leadership and direction, and can only blame the US for so much of that.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

If I recall, Taiwan (republic of china) was recognized as the legitimate state of China until 1971 when the UN switched recognition to mainland China (people's republic of china). China had a civil war. Imagine if the UN and modern international laws existed back in the US civil war. The UN could've named the CSA as only legitimate state and made the north US a rogue state or whatever taiwan is considered now.

That being said, both PRC and ROC were dictatorships back in the day. Don't think Taiwan (ROC) became a democracy until the late 80s or early 90s. PRC hasn't evolved yet.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Taiwan is happy with its independance and not having to be ruled by a Colonial China ruled by a single party. The CCP rules for itself first and China second and the Chinese people a poor third.

Taiwan people have a vote in who leads them and when unhappy they replace the ruling party by popular vote. Taiwan has the moral support of many Billions of people around the world, and many repressed people in China also support Taiwan maintaining its freedom. These facts are clear to all the world.

China has zero chance of Taiwan choosing to reunite with a Communist lead China. The will remain free.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

never trapped international laws, never acted unilaterally, never dictates other nations.

Not exactly true. They hold the debt of many poor countries in Africa, Sri Lanka, etc hostage by building infrastructure, knowing these countries will never pay back the investment, and cleverly taking their resources as collateral, or a 99 year lease on land for a military project. I admit, its a clever strategy, one the West ignored and China filled the vacuum.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I talked to some Taiwanese once about this, they said its likely it will happen, like the writing is on the wall

Me too, in Taiwan and from a few Taiwanese coworkers.

I only ever met one Taiwanese person who said he would welcome it.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Sorry not vote for country. I mean political party.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Taiwan is the only Chinese territory where freedom of expression, freedom of the press and freedom of thought are exercised. Without fear of being arrested and imprisoned to prison sentence.

It is also the only place in China where people can freely choose which political party will govern that territory. Having the option of being able to change their rulers if they do not agree on their way of governing.

In mainland China that's not possible.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

hope taiwan can live in peace

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Many commentators are forgetting the elephant in the room. If HK and Taiwan become independent of China, the US, within five years, would establish military bases.

What would be Washington's response be if Guam, Hawaiian Is. Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Samoa, Mariana Is, Baker Is, Howland Is, Jarvis Is, Johnson Is, Midway Is, Marshall Is..... wanted to become independent? All these were annexed by the US.

On many of the above islands have protested for independence in the past. On many of these islands, the subjects do not have full US citizenship or rights. Check the status of citizens on these islands.

The only interest the US has in both HK and Taiwan is for the establishment of military bases.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

What would be Washington's response be if Guam, Hawaiian Is. Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Samoa, Mariana Is, Baker Is, Howland Is, Jarvis Is, Johnson Is, Midway Is, Marshall Is..... wanted to become independent? All these were annexed by the US.

Financially Broke, but that won’t happen. Just like other countries that have commonwealths.

On many of the above islands have protested for independence in the past.

They did and they overall saw no real benefit, Puerto Rico is a great example.

On many of these islands, the subjects do not have full US citizenship or rights. Check the status of citizens on these islands.

So the Puerto Rican’s want one foot in the door and it’s not working or for them.

The only interest the US has in both HK and Taiwan is for the establishment of military bases.

And with good and serious reason.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Yea because you've got such a firm grip on Hong Kong now, ha ha ha.

Hong Kong 1 China 0

Taiwan, please learn from Hong Kong.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

With that I would hope Taiwan buys a bunch more military gear from the West. Sounds like they might need it.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

President Dump will speed up the process for them by removing themselves from all of these defense partnerships that are so one-sided. But no worries Dump fans, by the time the Chinese take Hawaii and land on the shores of San Francisco, you will be able to say it was some other president's fault. Idjits.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

If Beijing oversteps, the people will simply flee, and Beijing will be left with a pile of rocks. And they know this

Yeah because it is not like mainland China doesn't have anyone to move to Hong Kong.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

We usually have a vote for that.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@TheLongTermer

The problem is that Japan has never apologized for its past, still hold on to it, and only cares about itself

I make the number of highest level apologies to be 53. Could you go and double check that number and then come back, correct your views and apologise for your mistake?

As far as "caring for others", Japan actually give more foreign aid, as a percentage of GNI, then the US does.

I don't see any reason or benefit in China attacking Japan. If China dominated NE Asia, business as usual would carry on in Japan.

Kicking the America military out of Asia appears a reasonable enough goal, however, it's unlikely.

What is it doing in Asia anyway?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

But no worries Dump fans, by the time the Chinese take Hawaii and land on the shores of San Francisco, you will be able to say it was some other president's fault.

Given their state and local governance it’s questionable whether or not the people of Hawaii or San Francisco will be able to tell that they have been invaded by the Chinese Communists.

BTW - who/what is Dump? Are you talking about what the streets of San Fran turn in to after a night of homeless vagrants drug use and public defecation?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

TheLongTermerJuly 24  06:03 pm JST

Unless it benefits the US, I really dont care one way or the other what happens to Japan, they got themselves into this mess during WW2, were very arrogant and selfish, now they must deal with what they created.

And the feeling goes both way as China, an "ally" of ww2, is on its way to displace the United States, that America elites hate and fear so much and are so powerless to change the course.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Akie

What is democracy good for if it is used as a mean to separate nation, to divide people, to invite wars ?

Exactly! Send me a CCP membership form right away.

I don't know why there are so much badmouthing against CCP Akie. CCP offers so much freedom.

Can democracy allow these freedom:

run over civillian with tanks?

arbitrary arrest, indefinitely?

organ harvesting?

slave labour?

wholesale exploitation of the young?

2 (not one), 2 Dalai Lamas?

employing Triads to beat up protesters?
4 ( +5 / -1 )

If China dominated NE Asia, business as usual would carry on in Japan.

I agree with you on that. China would bully Japan, but it would be business as usual, having big brother USA to check anything substantial. Thing is, seems the US is tiring on taking care of others, who dont care so much on caring for us.

China and Japan are more alike than they are different. If in the unlikely event China ruled Japan, of course the Japanese would resent and hate it, and welcome their old ruler back (the USA) just as HK wishes for the Brits to come back, but its more of a sibling rivalry between the Japanese and Chinese than opposing ideology or culture. Japan is already a socialist commune society that shuns entrepreneurship or individuality.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Kicking the America military out of Asia appears a reasonable enough goal, however, it's unlikely.

What is it doing in Asia anyway?

Simple. Using Japan to keep an expansionist China in check, and to keep Japan safe, by keeping it in check.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I really doubt the chinese are dumb enough to try anything, in the end they just do what the Americans want them to do.

Simple as that

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@TheLongTermer

Simple. Using Japan to keep an expansionist China ...

Between 1992 to 2017 the number of foreign interventions the US has been involved in is at least 188. It operates at least 38 named bases overseas and god knows how many "black" or unnamed bases.

Remind me how many China has been involved in, or has overseas?

So whose the expansionist?

Is China really "bullying" Japan?

China's territorial definition has always been based on historical references and, unlike Tibet or Hong Kong etc, those have never included Japan. For the largest part of his history, it has been inward looking.

It appears to me that there's a good good of projection going on in the representation of China by American sources and that much of China's manoeuvring is a reaction to the US's aggressive and threatening containment policy, and its racist and aggressive history towards Asians. Japan being a perfect example (from Perry to internment camps).

Therefore I ask my question again, what is the US doing on the Asian side of the Pacific?

The Asian side of the Pacific is Asian's business.

Perhaps the USA is just practising that the British perfected with their imperial "divide and rule" strategy as, clearly, a united Asia could crush the USA economically.

Would it though?

For the most part, what we see with China in its overseas endeavors is that all it wants to do is business ... and wiping out civilians, meddling with internal politics and installing right wing dictatorships to suppress and abuse local populations is not part of its modus operandi.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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