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Is the Chinese military a Potemkin village?
American Thinker ^ | 06/20/2024 | Andrea Widburg

Posted on 06/20/2024 10:20:14 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

I want to direct your attention to a Joe Cunningham essay in which he posits that the Chinese military is in trouble. He’s almost certainly right. The problem with communism is that it reduces societies to the lowest common denominator of any behavior and, as people scrabble for advancement in a controlled system, it invites corruption.

Writing at Red State, Cunningham points out purges and problems regarding China’s military:

The Chinese President is calling for “deep reflection” among his military forces as he renews his focus on corruption, which has plagued China in recent months. His call comes after what the Wall Street Journal describes as a “purge that has brought down more than a dozen senior generals and defense-industry executives.”

Recently, Xi was embarrassed to find that missiles were filled with water rather than fuel, with officials pocketing the money meant to make the missiles fly.

Just today, the Wall Street Journal was back with more news about China’s military problems. The story is behind the Journal’s paywall, but the first paragraph tells you a lot:

Chinese leader Xi Jinping ordered a redoubled campaign to eradicate graft and enforce loyalty in the military, suggesting no end to a purge in the country’s defense establishment that has raised questions about Beijing’s ability to wage war.

In his speech to top military officials, Xi pointed to problems with discipline, ethics, ideology, and moral character, all of which are permeating the military.

I agree with Cunningham that Xi’s concerns reflect a real issue rather than being a communist chief’s periodic reminder to the military about who’s in charge and the fate that can befall those who run afoul of him. No doubt they all know that, in 2016, Kim Jong-un executed two of his senior officials using anti-aircraft guns.

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: China; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: china; inbredneocons; military; neoconpyschos
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1 posted on 06/20/2024 10:20:14 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

There will be no protests or riots. It’s the Asian mentality. They’re on the same page mentally. Just look at the kamikaze pilots the Japanese ‘recruited’ in WW2.


2 posted on 06/20/2024 10:22:06 AM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
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To: SeekAndFind

Russia has never recovered from its communist days.
People are the same. Put them in the same system and they will eventually all act the same way.

This could be true.


3 posted on 06/20/2024 10:22:43 AM PDT by Jonty30 (He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
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To: SeekAndFind

As far as I can tell, the only thing that qualifies as “ethics” and “moral character” in their system is unquestioning obedience. When obedience and self-interest come into conflict, which does a human being choose?

Their system is better suited for machines, than people.


4 posted on 06/20/2024 10:24:59 AM PDT by rightwingcrazy (;-,)
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To: SeekAndFind

Maybe. Maybe that is why the “switch to Chinese money for all oil purchases” never happend.


5 posted on 06/20/2024 10:27:14 AM PDT by jmaroneps37 (Freedom is never free. It must be won rewon and jealously guarded.)
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To: SeekAndFind

.


6 posted on 06/20/2024 10:30:29 AM PDT by sauropod ("This is a time when people reveal themselves for who they are." James O'Keefe Ne supra crepidam)
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To: Jonty30

The Epoch Times had a magnificent article more than a year ago pointing out why the Chicom army is a paper tiger. They noted promotions in the army are not based on merit rather outright bribery.

They also pointed out the chicoms have not seen the battlefield in more than a half century


7 posted on 06/20/2024 10:31:56 AM PDT by God luvs America (6young 3.5 million pay no income tax and vote for DemoKrats...)
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To: SeekAndFind

The ChiComs have money.

Why bomb what you can buy?


8 posted on 06/20/2024 10:32:39 AM PDT by mewzilla (Never give up; never surrender!)
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To: DIRTYSECRET

“There will be no protests or riots. It’s the Asian mentality. They’re on the same page mentally. Just look at the kamikaze pilots the Japanese ‘recruited’ in WW2.”

I think you’re way off...

The Kamikazis were focused and comitted.

In China, there will be no riots.. Because those that protest, once caught will be killed or sent to gulags. That is if they are LUCKY.

If they are unlucky, they will be sent to the gulags, and sold off piece by piece in organ harvesting operations.
Along with their ENTIRE FAMILY.


9 posted on 06/20/2024 10:33:09 AM PDT by uranium penguin
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To: SeekAndFind

Reminds me of this:

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/jun/18/bidens-425-billion-rural-high-speed-internet-plan-/


10 posted on 06/20/2024 10:39:10 AM PDT by Sertorius (A hayseed with no Greek and dam^ proud of it)
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To: God luvs America

Are you willing to risk a war with China based on an article about Chinese military competency written by Epoch Times??

I’m certainly not willing to risk that.

Ask yourself, the US military right now can’t stop a bunch of goat herders wearing flip flops from shutting down the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.


11 posted on 06/20/2024 10:41:32 AM PDT by srmanuel
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To: SeekAndFind

Who is Joe Cunningham and what is his credentials?


12 posted on 06/20/2024 10:41:52 AM PDT by McGruff (Don't underestimate Joe's ability to f*** things up - Barack Obama)
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To: God luvs America
"The Epoch Times had a magnificent article more than a year ago pointing out why the Chicom army is a paper tiger. They noted promotions in the army are not based on merit rather outright bribery."

Dont confuse corruption and self-dealing with weakness. The British Empire conquered the world with officers that paid enormous sums for their commissions.

Purchase of commissions in the British Army
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purchase_of_commissions_in_the_British_Army
Commissioned office in the English and later British Army could be purchased for either infantry or cavalry regiments from the 17th to 19th centuries. This avoided the need to wait to be promoted for merit or seniority, and was the usual way to obtain a commission in the Army. The practice began in 1683, during the reign of King Charles II, and continued until it was abolished on 1 November 1871, as part of the Cardwell Reforms. Formally, the purchase price of a commission was a cash bond for good behaviour, liable to be forfeited if found guilty of cowardice, desertion, or gross misconduct.

13 posted on 06/20/2024 10:44:17 AM PDT by wildcard_redneck (He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither.)
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To: SeekAndFind
In his speech to top military officials, Xi pointed to problems with discipline, ethics, ideology, and moral character, all of which are permeating the military.

Some timely executions of everyone involved and culpable should take care of that little problem.

14 posted on 06/20/2024 10:44:38 AM PDT by Carry_Okie (The tree of liberty needs a rope.)
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To: SeekAndFind
I want to direct your attention to a Joe Cunningham essay in which he posits that the Chinese military is in trouble. He’s almost certainly right.

Do they think they can get away with an armed conquest of Taiwan, in spite of any US military response? I wouldn't be surprised if the answer is yes - the US military seems to have its own set of problems.
15 posted on 06/20/2024 10:52:21 AM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: SeekAndFind

You always have to have respect for a guy who can march 2 million riflemen at you.

Plus, is our woke military ready?


16 posted on 06/20/2024 11:02:17 AM PDT by lurk (u)
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To: uranium penguin

*Just look at the kamikaze pilots the Japanese ‘recruited’ in WW2. *
*In China, there will be no riots.. Because those that protest, once caught will be killed or sent to gulags.”*
*I think you’re way off...The Kamikazis were focused and comitted.*

Gimme a break-way off? Kamikazes or killed in the gulag-what’s the difference? You’re just as dead.


17 posted on 06/20/2024 11:03:46 AM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
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To: SeekAndFind

Yeah, they are a complete paper Tiger. They’d fold like a cheap suit if they ever ran into contact with our military. You can tell how bad they suck by the way they all look exactly alike, the way they are all lean and fit, and by the perfection in their marching, the knowledge that their whole nation supports them, and the aggression that shows in their faces. /s


18 posted on 06/20/2024 11:06:31 AM PDT by DesertRhino (2016 Star Wars, 2020 The Empire Strikes Back, 2024... RETURN OF THE JEDI. )
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To: srmanuel

But we would go to war to protect our allies and trade routes. Look at China: they have no one in the military with combat experience. Taiwan has Missiles that can reach every big city in China.


19 posted on 06/20/2024 11:07:59 AM PDT by POGO163
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To: SeekAndFind

Well they certainly know how to goose stop well.


20 posted on 06/20/2024 11:08:02 AM PDT by Midwesterner53
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