Posted on 03/09/2005 8:32:25 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
Ping!
China is slowly bringing Taiwan back into its orbit and under its wing, mostly economically, but also through a gradual program of limiting what Taiwan is willing to do as a quasi-nation. It's a very patient and long-term strategy. There is some bluster for domestic consumption, but reunification is already taking place.
I trust the Admiral misspoke when dignifying the Chinese action as giving themselves a "legal basis" to use force. That is like saying that Saddam passed a law saying Kuwait was a part of Iraq and, therefore, the invasion was legal.
...not likely??
...not likely??
A great deal depends on whether Chinese economic growth continues until China becomes a world power, perhaps the primary world power, or whether that growth runs into problems the way it did earlier in Japan.
It's hard to see how things can continue the way they have been going, with huger and huger trade imbalances, and as Japan showed, having a positive balance of trade doesn't always turn out well in the end. But instead of China collapsing, the U.S. or the world economy could collapse instead.
The other question is whether capitalism can ever be consistent with Communist control, over the long run. If the Communist tyranny in China collapses, then reunification with Taiwan could take place peacefully.
Until some of these issues are resolved, I think we have no choice but to defend Taiwan. A triumphalist China is too dangerous to permit. If they are allowed to invade Taiwan, then they will only start looking around at what to invade next. Nepal? Mongolia? Afghanistan? India?
We are fortunate this is happening on Bush's watch, and not clinton's.
He sounds like a nice step up from the panda-humping Adm. Blair. Anyone have any intel on him?
A good start!
Two questions. Is Taiwan now or at any time in the past been a part of China? Is Taiwan recognized as a separate government by the UN?
It's refreshing to hear such clear self-assertion from an American. I like this guy.
He made two statements in that sentence that clearly indicate how he views this quasi-legal law. I took away the opposite impression than you did.
Yes, it used to be the province of Formosa before Chian Kai-Shek and the pro-demcracy crowd got run out of mainland China by Mao and his friends. No, Taiwan is not recognized by the UN (which is stupid).
Their proper home port.
Fanning triumphalist mood is one of the way the current regime will use to survive. They announce grand plans, talk about breath-taking new future, and dream about China which will tower over the world.
As you said, their economy cannot grow at current pace indefinitely. It will hit a brick wall just as Japanese did in late 80's.
Either their economy goes down first and drag American economy. Or it may be the other way around. Either way, we have a major economic trouble ahead economically.
Thank you. Therefore it is absolute hypocrisy that an officer in the United States Armed Forces would call a law banning secession 'disconcerting' considering the history of this nation of states. That is unless the government in Washington has changed its mind on previous actions.
"...it gives them [red chinese] a legal basis for...military action later on..."
Of course they will make laws to benefit themselves.
Everything that Hitler did was lawful under German law.
That doesn't make it lawful under our laws and that doesn't make it right.
"...if they're allowed to invade Taiwan,... what next...Nepal?"
They've already begun to invade Nepal. They need it for their water supply. The Chinese are short of fresh water for their large population.
"What do you call "500 Chinese Navy ships at the bottom of ocean?"
A slow day for CINCPAC.
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