The Existential thread

[vid]

The massacre wasn't debunked, just the idea that it happened inside Tianenmen Square. Obviously, the massacre happened ADJACENT to it.

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by vid

The massacre wasn't debunked, just the idea that it happened inside Tianenmen Square. Obviously, the massacre happened ADJACENT to it.

Thank you for re-explaining it to him where I failed.

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by rousseau

You don't have a clue what you're talking about when it comes to China.

You think the bases have military value? (I.e. give the military some capability it did not already have)
You think the neighbours are not antagonized?

[rousseau]

Originally Posted by acottawa

You think the bases have military value? (I.e. give the military some capability it did not already have)
You think the neighbours are not antagonized?

Yes, they do. In yet another recent signpost of China's relentless march toward pan-Asian hegemony, there was a diplomatic kerfuffle when an American ship got too close to the Spratly Islands for China's comfort. Openly challenging US surveillance ships that far away from Chinese territory is something that never happened before (the spy plane incident ten years ago was _really_ close to China's mainland territory, not way out into the ocean like the Spratlys).

They're putting up military outposts all over the South China Sea. They're building aircraft carriers and preparing for a deployment that will gradually push the US out of there. It's only a matter of time, and it probably won't involve much in the way of military skirmishes.

There's no question that China is antagonizing its neighbours, Taiwan and Japan especially. China may or may not play it smart and try to smooth things over with "soft" diplomacy, but their memories are long. Taiwan will lose its independence and become another province of China without a fight, and Japan will eventually be a powerless minnow answering to China about military restrictions placed upon it instead of the US. Japan will never be forgiven for what happened in Nanjing (much less the rest of the early part of the 20th century), and will pay for it for decades and decades to come once China is able to force its will upon Japan.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Originally Posted by rousseau

Yes, they do. In yet another recent signpost of China's relentless march toward pan-Asian hegemony, there was a diplomatic kerfuffle when an American ship got too close to the Spratly Islands for China's comfort. Openly challenging US surveillance ships that far away from Chinese territory is something that never happened before (the spy plane incident ten years ago was _really_ close to China's mainland territory, not way out into the ocean like the Spratlys).

They're putting up military outposts all over the South China Sea. They're building aircraft carriers and preparing for a deployment that will gradually push the US out of there. It's only a matter of time, and it probably won't involve much in the way of military skirmishes.

There's no question that China is antagonizing its neighbours, Taiwan and Japan especially. China may or may not play it smart and try to smooth things over with "soft" diplomacy, but their memories are long. Taiwan will lose its independence and become another province of China without a fight, and Japan will eventually be a powerless minnow answering to China about military restrictions placed upon it instead of the US. Japan will never be forgiven for what happened in Nanjing (much less the rest of the early part of the 20th century), and will pay for it for decades and decades to come once China is able to force its will upon Japan.

Ain't that the truth. The Vietnamese still bristle at the mention of their colonisation by the Chinese centuries ago. Likely because they understand this isn't, in fact, simply a part of their history, but is an ongoing existential condition of being.

The Chinese sphere of influence is massive, and now they're laying physical claim to it. Of course, behind the scenes, China plays a fairly significant role in the politics of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, to name a few.

It's interesting to note that as China has moved in to these contested areas (ie the Spratly and Paracel Islands), the response from those countries, who also lay claim to that territory, has been stunningly conciliatory.

China's playing an interesting game of poker and everyone's folding...

[Dengler Avenue]

If China eventually manages to kick US out of South China Sea, does that mean the former gets to control the straight of Malacca?