China has a problem and it's not the Wuhan flu.

[MajGenl.Meade]

We all have a problem. From 1857:

cont p.94

[Darren]

We all have a problem. From 1857:

cont p.94

Did you read the article in Wired magazine?

[Darren]

"TAIPEI: Taiwan promised on Thursday (May 28) to settle Hong Kongers who flee the city for political reasons, offering help from employment to counselling, and prompting angry condemnation from Beijing as it pushes security legislation for Hong Kong.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen this week became the first world leader to pledge specific measures to help people from Hong Kong who may leave the former British colony because of the new legislation.
READ: Taiwan president pledges humanitarian relief for Hong Kongers

Chen Ming-tong, head of Taiwan's top China-policy maker, the Mainland Affairs Council, told parliament the government will establish an organisation to deliver "humanitarian relief" that includes settlement and employment in a joint effort with activists groups."

[MajGenl.Meade]

Did you read the article in Wired magazine?

I like quizzes. What are my options?

[Darren]

I'm guessing you're going with the grid went down so what do I do now that people are rioting in the streets because it's already been over a week, store stock is gone, gas stations can't pump petrol ...

[MajGenl.Meade]

No, I went for "no trip to the Ukraine this month"

[Darren]

'Beijing has removed references to “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan from its annual work report, signalling the country will take a stronger stance against the island territory.

The past six work reports since President Xi Jinping took power in 2013 have signalled that any attempt to reunify Taiwan and China would be “peaceful”.

But the latest report from Premier Li Keqiang took a different tone, saying: “We will adhere to the major principles and policies on work related to Taiwan and resolutely oppose and deter any separatist activities seeking ‘Taiwan independence’.”

“We will improve institutional arrangements, policies, and measures to encourage exchanges and co-operation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, further cross-strait integrated development, and protect the wel lbeing of our compatriots in Taiwan,” the report said.

“We will encourage them to join us in opposing ‘Taiwan independence’ and promoting China’s reunification."

[RayThom]

'Beijing has removed references to “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan from its annual work report, signalling the country will take a stronger stance against the island territory. The past six work reports since President Xi Jinping took power in 2013 have signalled that any attempt to reunify Taiwan and China would be “peaceful”. But the latest report from Premier Li Keqiang took a different tone, saying: “We will adhere to the major principles and policies on work related to Taiwan and resolutely oppose and deter any separatist activities seeking ‘Taiwan independence’.”“We will improve institutional arrangements, policies, and measures to encourage exchanges and co-operation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, further cross-strait integrated development, and protect the wel lbeing of our compatriots in Taiwan,” the report said.“We will encourage them to join us in opposing ‘Taiwan independence’ and promoting China’s reunification."

Darren, I read that earlier, too.

[Joe Guy]

I'm just wonderin'. Shouldn't that read, "China has a plobrem...."?

and it's not Wuhan fru.

[Darren]

"VANCOUVER -- A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled that a critical test in the extradition case of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou has been met, and the extradition process will continue.

In her 23-page decision, released Wednesday morning, Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes indicated that taken as a whole, the Huawei chief financial officer's alleged crimes would appear to constitute a crime in Canada, a principle known as "double criminality." Read the full decision below.

Meng is charged with bank and wire fraud in the U.S. for allegedly misrepresenting Huawei's relationship with a subsidiary doing business in Iran to HSBC bank."

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-judge-rules-a ... -1.4956755

[Darren]

"A Chinese general has warned that Beijing will not rule out the use of force to take control of Taiwan, as the Chinese Communist Party closed its annual National People's Congress in Beijing.

General Li Zuocheng, the chief of the Joint Staff Department and member of the Central Military Commission, said Friday that while peaceful diplomacy is preferred, China will consider using force to establish control over Taipei as part of its "One China" policy.

"If the possibility for peaceful reunification is lost, the people's armed forces will, with the whole nation, including the people of Taiwan, take all necessary steps to resolute"

https://www.newsweek.com/china-military ... cy-1507263

[RayThom]

"A Chinese general has warned that Beijing will not rule out the use of force to take control of Taiwan, as the Chinese Communist Party closed its annual National People's Congress in Beijing. General Li Zuocheng, the chief of the Joint Staff Department and member of the Central Military Commission, said Friday that while peaceful diplomacy is preferred, China will consider using force to establish control over Taipei as part of its "One China" policy. "If the possibility for peaceful reunification is lost, the people's armed forces will, with the whole nation, including the people of Taiwan, take all necessary steps to resolute"
https://www.newweek.com/china-military- ... cy-1507263

I must say, you're certainly on top of current events.

You should get a job at Breitbart.

[MajGenl.Meade]

In a related story, a new book entitled "The Art of War" by noted military strategist A. Chinese General has been published and is available in all Amazon formats.

Source: A Reliable Source

[Darren]

What happens when a country is backed into a corner on multiple fronts?

"NAIROBI, Kenya — When Chinese engineers flew home in January for the Lunar New Year, few in Africa would have imagined that a coronavirus outbreak was about to ground planes, upend supply lines and freeze work on dozens of Chinese-built roads, railways, ports and power stations.

Many of the engineers haven’t returned. Construction sites fell silent. And now the COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed a global recession that threatens the colossal international loan program that is a symbol of China’s growing prestige and a centerpiece of President Xi Jinping’s reign.

The Belt and Road Initiative — China’s effort to finance nearly half a trillion dollars in new infrastructure across Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America — took flight during a period of global expansion and easy travel that has now slammed into a sober reckoning."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/co ... r-BB14oMbn

[RayThom]

What happens when a country is backed into a corner on multiple fronts?"NAIROBI, Kenya — When Chinese engineers flew home in January for the Lunar New Year, few in Africa would have imagined that a coronavirus outbreak was about to ground planes, upend supply lines and freeze work on dozens of Chinese-built roads, railways, ports and power stations.Many of the engineers haven’t returned. Construction sites fell silent. And now the COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed a global recession that threatens the colossal international loan program that is a symbol of China’s growing prestige and a centerpiece of President Xi Jinping’s reign.The Belt and Road Initiative — China’s effort to finance nearly half a trillion dollars in new infrastructure across Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America — took flight during a period of global expansion and easy travel that has now slammed into a sober reckoning."
https://www.msn.com/en-up/news/world/co ... r-BB14oMbn

Darren, that's something to think about. Thanks.

[ex-khobar Andy]

The point of the piece was that China is doing this as a loan - presumably the assumption is that, as economic activity is generated as a result of these developments, the recipients of the loans will have the ability to repay them. Because these projects have been at least temporarily abandoned due to CoV, repayments are somewhat in jeopardy. So far China has made no offer to renegotiate terms.

Will they do so? My guess is yes, up to a point. While they see US abandoning its foreign commitments (WHO; it wouldn't surprise me to see Trump start to make noises about retreating from UN) China will not be slow or reluctant to take up the slack.

I am reminded of a Nicholas Monsarrat book. He wrote The Cruel Sea, which I am guessing many have read. He also wrote The Master Mariner about a sailor who, as a result of a cowardly act during some Elizabethan naval battle, was condemned to be a deckhand for all time until he redeemed himself. So the book (actually two books the second of which was finished after his death by his son* IIRC based on his notes) is about Matthew Lawe who ages about a decade per century, and participates in British naval actions through the American Revolution and Trafalgar and onto WW2. At some point in a WW2 battle (don't recall which) he does some very brave action and the curse is lifted. But, to quote Monsarrat, British naval power and prestige and domination of the world's oceans had "passed into other, willing, hands." It's probably 40 years since I read that sentence and while I have trouble recalling what I had for breakfast yesterday, it has stayed with me.

Trump does not recognize that there are 'other, willing, hands' nowadays.

* Edited to add: actually edited by his widow Ann: I looked it up.

[Darren]

"NEW DELHI, June 2 (Reuters) - India's top trending free app on Google's mobile app store, with more than 5 million downloads since late May, is called "Remove China Apps" and does exactly what it says on the label.

Its popularity comes amid calls for a boycott of Chinese mobile apps in India as a Himalayan border dispute fuels a backlash against products from China. "

https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/ ... ssion=true

[RayThom]

"NEW DELHI, June 2 (Reuters) - India's top trending free app on Google's mobile app store, with more than 5 million downloads since late May, is called "Remove China Apps" and does exactly what it says on the label.Its popularity comes amid calls for a boycott of Chinese mobile apps in India as a Himalayan border dispute fuels a backlash against products from China. "https://mobile.reuters.con/article/amp/ ... ssion=true

Darren, as usual, I knew something you posted didn't smell right.

Maybe you'll start fact checking before you puke up more of this shit.

Google Pulls 'Remove China App' from Play Store
https://techcrunch.com/2020/06/02/remov ... lay-store/

[Darren]

"(WASHINGTON) — The Trump administration moved Wednesday to block Chinese airlines from flying to the U.S. in an escalation of trade and travel tensions between the two countries.

The Transportation Department said it would suspend passenger flights of four Chinese airlines to and from the United States starting June 16."

[MajGenl.Meade]

How very stupid