The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.
© Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.China says U.S. is 'playing with fire' after latest military aid for Taiwan
BEIJING©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.
85 Comments
Login to comment
JJE
Taiwan province completely lacks UN-recognition.
Anyone with a history book and a map can establish it, like HK and Macau, are historically part Beijing's property portfolio.
Peter14
Taiwan has had UN recognition in the past when PRC had none. It made no difference then as it makes no difference now.
If China was not threatening Taiwan militarily, it would not need to continue buying more assets for its defense. The US ensures Taiwan can defend its people from a rampaging warmongering PRC China.
China claims it wants to unify with Taiwan but does nothing other than threaten it with destruction by encircling it with a huge military force. Sadly Chinese claims do not often match with its actions.
China knows how to bully as it does so daily with its own citizens. Thats not enough for Xi who turns to Taiwan to bully and harass millions more people.
TaiwanIsNotChina
China is playing with fire with its petulant exercises around Taiwan.
TaiwanIsNotChina
11 members is not completely lacking and more than russia's disgraces.
HK and Macau were never independent. Taiwan is.
JJE
Not independent. Dependent on the US as a vassal.
These arms sales are a classic indication of that.
Also important to observe that the reunification of HK/Macau was peaceful.
The same should happen here hopefully.
HopeSpringsEternal
Don't worry, just latest and far bigger version of little rocket man and that worked out well, until Biden Admin's globalists came along and destabilized the entire world with their Ukraine NATO proxy force.
Post posturing, Xi & Trump will surprise, acting together to de-escalate Ukraine and Mid-East. Why? Economics.
China's economy's terrible and Trump needs inflation to continue to drift downward. Economic normalization will be great for China's economy and confidence, and China (& BRICS) regaining their $dollar trust will strengthen $'s real asset purchasing power = disinflationary
Outside of sensitive national security areas, expect trade flows and FDI b/w China and US to accelerate. Other currencies real asset purchasing power, like Yen & Euro, will increase in line, and global economy to benefit due to downward pressure on rates due to lower inflation.
Japan's set to be huge beneficiary, as Yen's real asset purchasing power has dropped by some commodity indexes, about 5x in less than 5 years = PUNISHING, equals what used to cost 1 Yen now costs 5 Yen!!!
TaiwanIsNotChina
In no such way. Taiwan's purchases per capita are comperable to UN recognized Australia:
https://www.cfr.org/article/us-military-support-taiwan-five-charts
Because those were not independent territories and no one was able to fire a shot, unfortunately. Will not be the case with Taiwan.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Yes, XI is a bigger version of rocket man
Still Putin's War
Peking didn't do anything to de-escalate under Biden. Signs are not looking good for Trump.
s real asset purchasing power = disinflationary
This is a popular line with ChatGPT but every indication is that developing countries are buying more precious metals and that is it.
HopeSpringsEternal
Again, World not going to WWIII over Ukraine or Taiwan, as Xi & Trump have far bigger fish to fry, namely global stability to make economic normalization a reality. That means peace in Europe and MidEast.
Taiwan's dominance in semi's going to wind down MUCH sooner than most expect, and it'll be largely irrelevant as it continues to age and depopulate rapidly = China has time.
JJE
If people support Taiwan's US-protected 'independence', so should there be endorsement of another Autonomous Republic which broke away.
TaiwanIsNotChina
You yourself claim there will be far more stolen from Ukraine than Crimea. Also the US backing of the ROC is 100% legal, unlike russia's activities in Ukraine.
TaiwanIsNotChina
ChatGPT says that economics will prevail but the PRC building the world's largest navy and air force says something else.
Taiwan didn't lose its competitive advantage to the US. It is not going to lose it to China either. Also China will be too old to fight shortly.
Keepitreal
Screw china…
Fos
Keepitreal
I would have thought more commissions from US department when you use those colorful expressions :)
After inciting a dangerous war in Eastern Europe with the Nato enlargement (over $90 billions in arms supplies sent to Ukraine), and supporting Israel mass killings in Gaza and Lebanon ($20 billions in lethal weapons provided to IDF army in 2024), now the US lobbies in Wall Street are pushing the big military-industrial complex to move to Asia full strength, taking advantage of a missing president. Go figure!
quercetum
The reason Taiwan lost to the Communists is because of the U.S. If the U.S. had not backed the KMT, they would have easily defeated the CPC. The people just don’t want a puppet government and sided with the Chinese side, the CPC. They were the revolutionaries.
The Chinese are indeed admirable. Like the Americans, they’re not going to be some colony of England or an American colony like Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong before and the Philippines who don’t even have their own name for a country. It’s best to be your own country and not a US pawn.
Status quo wins. China would not give you all the pleasure.
Fos
HopeSpringsEternal
Look at the policies of the US administration in the Middle East, with the mass killings of 46.000 people, 70% children and women, that UN says, and the Pentagon keep sending weapons on a daily basis.
.The US lobbies in Wall Street are about greed and guns, come Trump in January with the stop of arms shipping in Ukraine, the big military industrial complex needs to branch out to another continent, that’s why we have the narrative in this forum of the ‘alleged threat’ of China. Same story as Colin Powell with the WMD
These are not assertions”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyyhvgZpleo
TaiwanIsNotChina
Still Putin's War
Rinky-dink arms sales are not a sign of a "move to Asia".
TaiwanIsNotChina
Apparently the people were perfectly happy with Soviet puppets.
Even though China is closer to the Philippines than the US economically, the countries you mentioned correctly realize they cannot fend off a 1.4 billion kg gorilla on their own.
So you keep saying. US missiles should provide the insurance.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Of no relevance to China whatsoever. Except maybe that their partner Iran is in trouble.
Nothing alleged about China drills, video of rammings, damaged ships, and injured coast guardsmen.
I know it is your bedtime and you have your bedtime stories queued up but we don't need to know about it.
Fos
quercetum
That is the right of every country in every continent, and then you wonder why US controls over 750 military bases around the world (again, supposedly China or Russia are a threat!). The reason we need to rectify these opinions in this forum is evidence on how the US State department is trying to manipulate the information. Greed&Guns
TaiwanIsNotChina
Including Ukraine not being a russian pawn. Thank you for this one salient point.
China threat is based on physical evidence.
quercetum
They are revolutionaries unlike American serfs who kowtow to the Neo-feudalism.
Fos
CPowell
The rule is: the more you make it up, the more commission you get. Talking about fishermen stories, we base our information on true history fact and former lies of US administrations
Just to stay in the area, the official reason why the Vietnam War started:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Tonkin_incident
TaiwanIsNotChina
Oh I see I see. The soviet direction came with a book of nonsense.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Of zero relevance to Taiwan in 2024. There is no disputing the video of China ramming boats.
TaiwanIsNotChina
I agree that China is getting upset of over Nothing. They should just accept internally that they will never control Taiwan.
HopeSpringsEternal
Think about it, Elon Musk, who has serious military contracts, has disdain for war and understands the risks of WWIII. That's GREAT news, nobody wants the global situation settled down more than Elon, who has very conflicted views about his growing $military role etc.
Reason Trump loves Musk, great values and why Taiwan is no danger, as these people are not war profiteers and globalists trying to control other countries. Xi knows it too!
itsonlyrocknroll
"May your holiday season and the New Year be filled with hope and happiness"
A deeply heartfelt message to President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, from out going President Joe Biden.
Number 47 belated New year surprise gifts, tariffs, quotas, and belligerent best wishes.,
Some dude
China and Russia share so much DNA in terms of whining. "You do this, we'll...get really angry, yo!"
Look, China may have a large and powerful military, but the US military plays in a league of its own. China really does not want to get on the wrong side of that.
itsonlyrocknroll
Interesting, the logistics, how Santa will be loading 300 tactical radio systems and 16 gun mounts on the sleigh.
Santa's helper elf's will be on double time and bonus
al together now Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way!,
deanzaZZR
Not really. It's the daily foreign ministry briefing. All countries do it. JT posts stuff like this and you actually think this is newsworthy and felt the need to post about it.
Fos
As we all know diplomacy in Asia is totally kidnapped by the US military-industrial complex which incites geopolitical tensions through the constant hype of the "Russian menace" and the "China threat”.
Behind the growth of arms sales, the White House has created or intensified conflicts and crises in different regions of the world, forcing other countries to increase their budgets and buy US weapons to better serve the interests of the military.
Taiwan (Washington’s peer) spent more than Iran in 2023, a country considered "another threat" from the US administration - who in the meantime is supporting Tehran's neighbor, Israel, with tens of billions of dollars of weapons for the mass killings in Gaza and Lebanon.
Australia (another ally of the Pentagon), spent twice as much as Turkey in 2023, more than three times the population. All American made weapons.
Military expenses in 2023
Taiwan $16,6 billions (population 23,4 millions)
Iran $10,3 billions (population 91,5 millions)
Australia $32,2 billions (population 26,5 millions)
Turkey $15,8 billion (population 85,3 millions)
A reminder that the US stock markets (Wall Street, Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500 are on all time high) and, based on the SIPRI Top 100 index of arms-producing and military services companies in the world are in order:
Lockheed Martin Corp (USA)
Raytheon Technologies (USA)
Northrop Grumman Corp (USA)
Boeing (USA)
General Dynamics Corp (USA)
1glenn
I am curious whether the Chinese obsession with conquering Taiwan will end once the current dictator passes. One can hope. Taiwan is not a military or economic threat to China, unless having a free people so close is in itself considered a threat. More likely it is a matter of soothing Xi's ego. Dictators like to be seen as omnipotent conquerors.
lostrune2
Only if the Taiwanese people VOTE to be part of China
Now here's the question to ask: what has China done lately to EARN THAT VOTE?
Peter14
ROC Taiwan has existed since 1912 and didnt break away from anything, so its situation has nothing in common with regions encouraged by Russia to break away from Ukraine. PRC broke away from ROC. Some just dont understand history, or simply refuse to acknowledge it.
itsonlyrocknroll
The government of China, its dictatorship, its appalling record of human right, its despotism, its genocide of its own people.
The threats to peace loving neighbours, its insistence that the East and South China sea are the sole property of government of China, essential global; shipping routes, the fortification of Islands to enforce the government of China will on the whole region.
The refusal to any rules based trading law.
The Government of China has reaped the whirlwind, now could face the consequences.
Invade Taiwan and face the prospect of total antihalation.
itsonlyrocknroll
Annihilation..... ho hum
deanzaZZR
Are you suggesting the "Free World" should nuke China? Just checking to make sure.
WiseOneIn Kansai
Hypocrites!! The only country undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is China and you might as well add the South China Seas too.
Fos
WiseOneIn Kansai
Perhaps some people did not read the subject of this article, and concentrate too much on the commissions :)
"...the provision of up to $571 million of military equipment on top of $295 million in military sales which had been approved".
Question: who is providing military weapons?
United States of America
Who is not part of the Asian continent?
United States of America
Which country controls over 750 military bases over the world?
United States of America
Which country military expenses contributed 68% of Nato's total expenditure (USD 860 billion) in 2023, 3 times as much as China?
United States of America
Fos
The simple truth is that the United States is by any measure the most aggressive and violent country in the world and will not accept a multi-polar world where countries large and small can live in peace together.
The only military risk that we face from China is if we continue as a proxy for the US in its endless wars
Peter Neil
neither have ever been peaceful, except for short time outs between wars.
@fos: while you’re right in a cold hard look at history, truman’s decision to create the cia is the fundamental catalyst for the last 70 years. he regretted the decision later in life.
the american public has little idea how much the cia controls the vector of events and the perception of them. it has no boundaries, no controls, no oversight, no laws or ethics. it’s single purpose is to be ruthless in maintaining american dominance in financial and military power, influence and molding of public information.
quercetum
Not according to your new secretary of defense. US ships would all be sunk by missiles.
quercetum
In case you didn’t know. China calls the shots. What can you do? Sanction them?
Abe234
i think you’ve got it the wrong way round. China belongs to Taiwan, but as a free, democratic, with free elections country. It’s not a communist, autocratic, dictatorship. So if China want Taiwan, then open yourself of to free democratic elections, freedom of speech. Or let’s ask the people of Taiwan if they want to rejoin China? Say, similar to Hong Kong? My guess is, you’d lose that vote. I think you’ve confuse the willof the people and the will of an autocratic dictatorship.
Abe234
Or are you suggesting China invade Taiwan?
quercetum
Ukraine will lose territory to Russia because Ukraine is supported by the U.S.
US pawns lose just like Taiwan lost to the Communists and South Vietnam as well.
You all don’t have the resolve and just quit. You didn’t finish the job in Korea, or Taiwan or Vietnam or Afghanistan. And now you’re about to quit on Ukraine.
quercetum
They’re not going to go to war over something that’ll soon ripe and fall into their lap. It’d be like invading Hong Kong in 1995. Just wait until 1997. The same with Taiwan.
lostrune2
If you believe China will treat Japan any friendlier if Japan becomes its own power, then I have a bridge to sell to you
China has border issues with many of its neighbors, from India to Bhutan to Vietnam to Malaysia to Brunei to Philippines to Taiwan and to Japan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_disputes_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_China
China wants to be the dominant power in the region. It will only be friendlier to Japan once Japan becomes subservient to China
The US doesn't mind if Japan becomes a power in the region. But China would mind
That's the difference between the US and China
Fos
lostrune2
A bit of history here, because that is really what should be the guiding light in this forum, as well as one’s own legit opinion, as long as they are free and not coerced.
In the course of the 20th century alone, Washington 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.
Of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (who represent the great powers), only one has not fought a war in 40 years: China. In contrast to China, in the last three decades, America has fought a war or been involved in military actions almost every year.
Defining Beijing a “threat” is historically incorrect, unless you follow the narrative of the usual suspects that define the alleged skirmished with Filipinos fishermen a danger to a sovereign nation.
The anti-Beijing hysteria is clearly being led by the United States which is not concerned that China will attack other countries, but is worried that its world hegemony is being challenged.
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 problem is the Washington refuses to change and accept the fact that it’s no longer the sole hegemon.
Asia welcomes China because China is part of Asia, that would be the starting point of any conversation.
bass4funk
I agree.
TaiwanIsNotChina
And China ships enforcing a blockade or ferrying PLA swimmers can be sunk.
China does not call the shots anymore than its heft indicates. A total breakdown of trade between the US and China, such as in a war, would be devastating for the latter.
The invading animal has a responsibility of its own.
Korea was a minor victory for the US. Taiwan is a victory for the US. You have to go to war to have had some victories and some minor setbacks.
What's the over under on when Taiwan invites PLA marauders in?
https://esc.nccu.edu.tw/upload/44/doc/6961/People202406.jpg
Zaphod
China is correct, and Biden will sign whatever his handlers give him.
NB
I think that any sort of tension mongering is detrimental for the pertinent region and for the whole world.
Underworld
Fos
Well invading the sovereign country of Ukraine will get you called a menace.
You forgot Russia: $145 billion
quercetum
There is no disputing the video of Taiwanese practicing democracy like animals.
https://youtu.be/NfYlL_r5xKk?si=Mos4cb_kqaUbcYsa
TaiwanIsNotChina
Fighting animals are more civilized than lobotomized ones:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3QIbfVfxTQ
quercetum
Your people just failed again in trying to start something in the Korean Peninsula because of Korean troops in Ukraine. Ukraine is going to cede territory to Russia and you’ll quit again. No stamina and no resolve. Just three years?
TaiwanIsNotChina
Not US troops fighting there. Simple as. It is Trump that claims he doesn't have the stamina. We shall see.
TaiwanIsNotChina
You have to go to war to lose a war. As opposed to say running from Vietnam in 1 month.
Fos
CPowell
The military/industrial complex supported by a compliant media, and this forum with the usual suspects is a clear evidence of that. That is why we are here. Peace will prevail, there are other forms of investments
itsonlyrocknroll
deanzaZZR...
If the government of China were to invade Taiwan, the world could indeed be at a state of war.
The consequences could also result in a tactical exchange of nuclear weapons.
Xi Jinping President of the People's Republic of China must be left in no doubt.
Fos
itsonlyrocknroll
A reminder that China has not been engaged in military activity for the past forty years. In that time, Washington has overthrown numerous governments and illegally invaded many countries.
The only military risk that we face from China is if we continue as a proxy for the US in its endless war
NB
We currently have four foci of tension/conflict that have a potential of sparking WW3: 1) Ukraine, 2) Korea, 3) the China-Taiwan strait, 4) the Middle East.
Per each such focus we have to ask the question who is the main aggressor or tension monger.
Clue about the answer: There is something in common for three of the foci; the fourth is different.
Fos
NB
Ukraine = over $100 billions sent to Ukraine by the the US administration since the start of the conflict. And where are we now?
Korea = over $14 billions worth of weapons orders approved by the Pentagon only in the last 8 weeks to South Korea, Japan and Taiwan.
China-Taiwan strait = see above (The US is trying to advance its "Indo-Pacific" strategy to contain China, fanning the flames in the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan Straits and South China Sea)
Middle East: over $20 billions of lethal weapons (officially) sent by the the White House to Israel since January 2024. A reminder that nearly 70% of Gaza war dead are women and children, UN says, but, as we know, there is too much at stake for the US lobbies in Wall Street
Pacificpilot
Chinai has become a rogue state. It is time for a second cultural revolution. Mo Tak To would turn over in his grave if he saw how Xi Jing Ping and his Beijing bureaucrats have pilfered and absconded the peoples treasures in the Chinese Capital. The proletariat must rise up and teach
the wealthy and misguided upper class what true communism is. Comrades! Now is the time to save China. March onward, and save China!
itsonlyrocknroll
Fos, the government of China threatens every human right, every value, every freedom, that the democratic free world stands for.
The government of China at ever turn engages in acts of aggression , of intimidation, incursions into regional Exclusive Economic Zone, air space, sea, of every one of its democratic neighbour's.
The Japanese people are openly harassed, harshly remined, when the occasion presents itself to be humiliated, J people define what a constitution devoted to peaceful co existence stands for.
The government of China demands obedience, threatens violent enforcement if questioned.
The government of China preposterous insistence that the East and South China Seas are the sole property of the government of China must be challenged with military action if necessary.
deanzaZZR
@itsonlyrocknroll Backpedal much? You used the word annihilate suggesting the use of nuclear weapons with yields far higher than tactical nukes.
We know the USA Americans are busy working on scenarios for the first use of tactical nukes against Mainland China forces.
The role of nuclear weapons in a Taiwan crisis
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/issue-brief/the-role-of-nuclear-weapons-in-a-taiwan-crisis/
Fos
itsonlyrocknroll
I've visited China many times and I must say is pretty much the opposite. I wonder where do you get this informations. I think it is good stuff for some farcesque/SCI-FI TV series story. The US Department of State must offer good commissions on the propaganda.
Fos
Pacificpilot
And your sources are Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, Northrop Grumman? Three of the top five arms manufacturers in the world, All Americans.
Eager to get new orders and wage another war in the third continent, after Eastern Europe and Middle East .
No wonder Wall Street, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite rose to new records.
Behind the growth of arms sales, the US has created or intensified conflicts and crises in different regions of the world, forcing other countries to increase their budgets and buy US weapons to better serve the interests of the military-industrial complex.
itsonlyrocknroll
deanzaZZR, no sane person would seriously countenance nuclear war.
Whether tactical or strategic.
UK chose parliamentary democracy, over tyranny.
Centuries of civil wars, hundreds of million of lives sacrificed, to settle, to truly appreciate basic human rights, the right to protest, the right of expression etc.
certainly not without flaws faults.
The horrors of WW2 were exasperated because weak political leadership chose appeasing Nazi dictators.
Never ever again.
The government of Russia, China, North Korea, Iran have betrayed their peace loving peoples.
I have visited Shanghai, Hong Kong, the people are polite kind, can you honestly state hand on heart that their is any freedom exists.
Can the people of China protest?
itsonlyrocknroll
Fos, I have visited China Shanghai once, Hong Kong once, and have been and still am impressed by the warm polite welcome, from the peace loving peoples.
That is not the case of the Government, I was part of a team promoting business investment, our every movement was monitored, we had a succession of daily minders.
We were advised on what we can film or not.
Who we approached, how we interacted.
My point, that is the government of China paranoia, a fear of change, of the essence of human natures desire to question, to bloom, to grow.
I suggest the government of China inherent fear of freedoms of expression compels belligerence to the democracies that thrive.
Fos
itsonlyrocknroll
And you think the big systemsm Apple, Google, and the Zuckerberg group, do not control you and guide your actions and choices daily, without you knowing it?
We are talking about the hypocrisy of selling hundreds of billions of dollars worth of weapons, to destabilize the world, essentially to preserve the interests of the few lobbies, while accusing other countries of wrong doing
NB
In Ukraine, Korea and the China-Taiwan strait we witness NATOism. The Middle East issue is something entirely different.
itsonlyrocknroll
An uptick from me on your opinions on Apple, Google, Zuckerberg's Facebook, Fos.
Fos
itsonlyrocknroll
Well it is a fact that if you have an iPhone, Apple can tell exactly how many minutes and seconds you spend every week in front of the screen, and how you use your telephone.
If that study was revealed by a Chinese company, the Western media would go hysterics.
It is common knowledge that Amazon, Google and Instagram can "listen to your conversation" and understand who you are and what you need. Again that is American technology and not Chinese:
https://www.404media.co/heres-the-pitch-deck-for-active-listening-ad-targeting/
I remind you that NSA mass surveillance program under the Obama administration was first revealed in 2013, during which the US was spying all their allies, and there were huge restrictions of civil liberties for US citizens as discovered by Edward Snowden:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/09/edward-snowden-nsa-whistleblower-surveillance
So, accusing China government, or even worse the likes of Huawei or TikTok, once again, is very hypocritical from the US stand point
wallace
Fos
itsonlyrocknroll
It's very easy to turn off the screen time.
Fos
wallace
Yes, but I am trying to make a point here. There is not a shred of evidence about Huawei links to the military in China, or that TikTok is more damaging than the American counterparts, Instagram or Facebook, but still Washington restricts the trade of high-end chips from other countries, or order closure of business,
The anti-Beijing hysteria is clearly being led by the United States which is not concerned that China will attack other countries, but is worried that its world hegemony is being challenged.
Underworld
Fos
Apple can’t tell a thing. How long you spend in front of a screen is personal information and Apple aren’t privy to it.
Tamarama
History is a funny thing, isn't it.
Taiwan was 'commandeered' by some of the most corrupt people in Chinese history, as they fled the fallout of their own crimes and corruption, to establish a 'Democratic state'. Chang Kai Shek was a military strong man who controlled China by force, massacred his fellow Chinese for their political beliefs, allowed his family members to steal so much US supplied wealth, that his wife became the richest woman in China and were branded Thieves by Truman. They literally stripped China of it's gold and wealth as they fled to Taiwan, leaving mainland China effectively destitute.
I wonder of the US would allow a corrupt rogue group to take control of, say, Hawaii with US money they stole, claim it as their own, and turn it into a different political system?
How would that go down I wonder?
itsonlyrocknroll
Fos, steer clear, refrain from "whataboutery", dead end "rabbit hole" reasoning, logic.
No excuses.
So called "anti-Beijing hysteria" are all of Xi Jinping President of the People's Republic of China own making,
The political diplomatic repercussions to future world peace clearly defined.
Clayton K. Char
China hasn't realized it yet, but they are no longer a dominant power when it comes to world affairs.
Their economy is in the tank and the military defense is a facade.
Reverse engineering American technology without knowledge and skill builds copies which are junk.
When are they going to build a real fighter jet which can take off fully loaded from a carrier without a ski jump?
Quit stealing U.S. technolgoy and create your own?
Fos
Clayton K. Char
I thought it was the other way around? I mean… where do you get these US dispatches which employs the same techniques over and over again. Accuse somebody else of the wrongdoing that Washington already does.
Fact: The US government is the biggest arms dealer on Earth, and the arm sales serve Washington military hegemony.
The United States is by any measure the most aggressive and violent country in the world and will not accept a multi-polar world where countries large and small can live in peace together. The US has a dogmatic and self- righteous view that it is ‘exceptional’, a ‘chosen people’ and should set global rules for everyone.
The rise of China and its role in global capitalism have challenged the economic dominance of the west, and shattered the convenient notion that the market necessarily brings freedom. To create the impression that problems of political oppression or technological abuse are uniquely Chinese is to refuse knowledge of the complexity of governance, as well as of humanity
itsonlyrocknroll
Fos you hold your ground well, valid points, our democratically elected leaders are fallible, indeed sometimes corrupt.
However, one can march up and down outside the Whitehouse placard held aloft, chanting out load protesting, those hypocrisies to one content all day, every day.
Then travel home still in one piece
Protest in China or Hong Kong, even if resident outside the country, your life could be at risk.
Hong Kong offers bounties for 6 pro-democracy campaigners in security squeeze
https://japantoday.com/category/world/hong-kong-offers-bounties-for-six-more-democrats-in-security-squeeze1
1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre is a testament to the government of China despotism.
Not even a plaque of remembrance exists.
Tamarama
Fos, spot on.
The contemporary United States war and propaganda machine is a remarkable phenomenon, in that it has created a self serving narrative of 'World Sheriff ' that a remarkable proportion of the world either just eats up, or tolerates due to it's power and favours - but is completely at odds with the reality of what it actually does, and has been for a very long time. This was really ratcheted up post 9/11 where you saw the US President literally threaten the world by saying 'You are either with us, or with the terrorists,' and attempt to create a very bipolar geopolitical reality.
China certainly has a flawed political system. Whilst the ideals of communism are actually quite noble, the reality is it is just another system that can be exploited, AND, is one people don't choose in a legitimate democratic election. So there's that. But I do not believe for a second that China is the big Red Monster the prevailing Meta-narrative makes it out to be, or that Chinese people are inherently distrustful or shady people. Contemporary China is a complex place that has had a terribly tumultuous 100 years or so of history, which by the way, the US have been up to their elbows manipulating and profiting from.
That includes allowing the 'creation of Taiwan' by a dictatorial criminal cartel, as per my previous post, in a territory on China that has been officially part of their world since the late 1600's. I can fully see how the Chinese Communist party would have major issues with a US funded and created 'State' on one of their territories right off their coast, that they have subsequently armed to the teeth.
I have said this before, but imagine how the US would feel in the reverse scenario? The narrative would be very different then, I venture to suggest.