Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: LonePalm
More great observations on China. Thanks.

I am fascinated with the point you made earlier that an economy based on cheapest labor can never actually reward its people for their economic successes without self destructing its economic raison d'être.

Oops.

Also, I was unaware China's chip industry was still so dependent on outside technology. Where does Taiwan fit into this picture?

1,789 posted on 08/19/2023 12:19:27 AM PDT by Disestablishmentarian (Deeper we go, the more unrealistic it all becomes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1753 | View Replies ]


To: Disestablishmentarian; ransomnote; All
Also, I was unaware China's chip industry was still so dependent on outside technology. Where does Taiwan fit into this picture?

Taiwan has two things the PRC doesn't have but definitely needs. The first is the Dutch machines that make the high end chips, < 10nm. The second is people with the technical knowledge to run those machines and build the VERY special facilities that house those machines. Those facilities are so clean they make a US surgical suite look a back alley in Bangkok.

There are those who think the PRC could get chips, machines, and people it needs by invading Taiwan. This would be a preordained failure. There are already plans in place to move the machines and people to Japan in the event an invasion looks likely. Worst case, the machines are blown up in place and the people get out. They can always buy more machines from the Dutch.

That doesn't mean that Xi Jinping won't try it. The greatest danger with Xi is that he is probably the single most isolated national leader on Earth. He makes Robinson Caruso look like a social butterfly. He has either removed, killed (not hyperbole), or intimidated anyone of ability around him such that no one wants to bring him bad news for fear of how he will react. This means that he likely doesn't have a clear picture of what is going on in the PRC.

I can't over stress the danger here. The level of internal unrest in the PRC is growing daily. If Xi decides to have a go at Taiwan it won't be about getting chip making machines. It will be to provide a diversion from internal problems. I think he likely knows that this would fail but drowning men grasp at straws to stay afloat.

I am having increasing doubts as to whether the PLA (army) and/or the PLAN (navy) would go along with an order to invade. I wouldn't want to make a life or death invasion of Cuba during hurricane season after a Cat 5 just swept up Florida.

Hope this answers your question. If anyone has more questions I will answer as best as I can.

WWG1WGA

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)

LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

1,876 posted on 08/19/2023 12:31:53 PM PDT by LonePalm (Commander and Chef)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1789 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson