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Posted: 3/27/2024 6:38:14 PM EDT
[Last Edit: CarmelBytheSea]
[#1]
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Posted: 3/27/2024 7:49:06 PM EDT
[#2]
Originally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: Can't recall if i already posted this https://www.army.mil/article/272919/logistics_in_the_indo_pacific_setting_the_theater_for_a_conflict_over_taiwan Originally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: Pretty sure I forgot to post this https://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3298192/us-air-force-army-engineers-prioritize-interoperability-to-set-indopacom-theater/ https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/459941/IMG_1721_jpeg-3170314.JPG Then everything needed to turn "purple" for Jointness and interoperability!! That was the new hotness!! Congress created SOCOM, and you could put all your special people under one joint command, and the rest of the Military could then be made safe for single mothers and married men and women to play soldier. Us single types were too much trouble!!! Always needed to be babysat etc., etc., etc. I bet Planners would like to have those days back. Then they got smart and got rid of it all. Oh well. |
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Posted: 3/27/2024 7:55:30 PM EDT
[Last Edit: zoinks]
[#3]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/459941/IMG_1887_jpeg-3170982.JPG Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/459941/IMG_1887_jpeg-3170982.JPG China warns Taiwan of 'provoking trouble' with live fire drills 'If they provoke trouble and dare to act rashly, they will surely fail': TAO In response to the query, Chen said that whether these exercises are truly "routine" or constitute "targeted" provocations, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities are "well aware in their hearts." Chen said that the people of Kinmen have personally experienced the transition between peace and war, and they increasingly cherish peace and oppose war. "They have made the right choice between firing artillery and building bridges," said Chen. The TAO spokesperson said China will closely monitor the movements of Taiwanese troops in Kinmen. ETA: I forgot to post the cool photo:  Attached File |
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Posted: 3/27/2024 8:04:07 PM EDT
[#4]
Originally Posted By Banditman: You can see that the second guy behind the prime minister is bought and paid for.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzW1APWxBjsOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: LOL https://amp.abc.net.au/article/103640992 https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/459941/IMG_1965_jpeg-3171151.JPG Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says his government has removed Chinese officers who were embedded in the Pacific nation's police force, even though it has decided not to tear up a contentious policing agreement with Beijing. He also declared that while Fiji has improved ties with China after an "uncomfortable" period, he remains worried that Beijing's growing presence in the region could undermine democratic systems in the Pacific. Last week, Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua revealed that Fiji had decided to maintain a police cooperation pact with China, despite Mr Rabuka's declaration last year that he planned to scrap it. Mr Rabuka's government has been trying to maintain a delicate balance with China since coming to power in late 2022. The prime minister has been working to draw investment and development support from Beijing, but has also been a critic of China's attempts to embed itself more deeply in Pacific nations like Solomon Islands and Kiribati. He said he didn't "blame" any countries for turning to China, saying Beijing's substantial investments in new facilities for the Pacific Games in Solomon Islands had turned heads across the region. "That's what small developing islands of the Pacific will look at. We all want that sort of development," he said. "But at what cost? That's what leaders of these countries will be asking themselves." Mr Rabuka suggested that many Pacific leaders might be wary that intensifying Chinese influence in their countries could eventually erode democratic norms and values. "A lot of people do not think about the inner peace brought about by a democratic system with tested legal systems. The fundamental rights of people and the government's respect for those," he said. "I have great-grandchildren living with me and I do not want them to be led in a way they're not comfortable with. "Those are the things that could happen if we were to be taken over by a new set of ideologies and approaches to life and living." |
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Posted: 3/27/2024 8:13:48 PM EDT
[#5]
Quick Score Card:
Taiwan tracks 9 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval ships around nation Of the nine People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, two entered the eastern sector of Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), while another two flew into the southwest corner of the ADIZ, according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line during that time.  Attached FilePlease to notice in this flight tracker, aircraft have covered both side of Taiwan. So far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 323 times and naval vessels 178 times. |
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Posted: 3/27/2024 8:21:51 PM EDT
[Last Edit: zoinks]
[#6]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Banditman: CCP rep says China is victim and never invaded another country. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0Qyp14sX_YETA: I watched it. What a dichotomy in a episode! We have this crazy statement meant to "engage" the peaceniks, then it's off to showing US offensive power and how Australia is part of it. Anyway, at the 14 minute mark, we have a "PRC" stooge doing his best, but falling way short of the prize saying some crazy stuff like "China never invaded any country," and "Australia was never in a war...," some really strange things. I'd start watching there! |
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Posted: 3/28/2024 10:18:24 AM EDT
[#7]
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Posted: 3/28/2024 10:20:53 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By zoinks: I have a similar message from the CCP to Taiwan: China warns Taiwan of 'provoking trouble' with live fire drills Taiwanese Army will conduct live fire drills on Kinmen Island soon. Here's the response from Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Chen: Everybody's on Notice!!!! oooooooooooooooooooo ETA: I forgot to post the cool photo: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/1737/2024_03_27_e20c5b3e115144d8b6550ca4f3cec-3171257.JPG 1/2 of GD would have their minds blown to see tanks on Taiwan |
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Posted: 3/28/2024 8:34:06 PM EDT
[#9]
Score Card Time again!
Taiwan tracks 20 Chinese military aircraft, 8 naval ships around nation Of the 20 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, four crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, according to the MND. Nine PLA aircraft entered the southwest corner of Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), two flew into the northeast ADIZ, and one was tracked in the eastern sector of the zone.  Attached FileSo far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 343 times and naval vessels 186 times. |
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Posted: 3/28/2024 8:40:55 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryCarmel has instituted "Thursday Funnies!!"  Unless these things are launched and remotely piloted from a space station in a geo-synchronis orbit over the US, I don't see it happening. |
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Posted: 3/28/2024 8:56:41 PM EDT
[#11]
The Rhetoric is heating hope in the South China Seas:
Philippines ups stakes in China row, vows countermeasures to coastguard 'attacks' MANILA/BEIJING, March 28 (Reuters) - The Philippines will implement countermeasures against "illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks" by China's coastguard, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday, upping the stakes in an escalating row in the South China Sea. The Philippines is furious over what it calls repeated hostilities by Chinese vessels around disputed features inside Manila's 200-mile exclusive economic zone. The United States has weighed in with moral support for its former colony and military ally. Marcos did not specify what the countermeasures would entail, but said they would come in succeeding weeks and be proportionate, deliberate and reasonable in response to what he called open and unabating attacks. "We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends but we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience," Marcos said on Facebook. The deterioration in relations with China comes as Marcos seeks to deepen defence ties with the United States, increasing U.S. access to Philippine military bases and expanding joint exercises to include sea and air patrols over the South China Sea, frustrating Beijing. Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian on Thursday said the Philippines was to blame for the breakdown and was counting on support from external forces while peddling misinformation and infringing on China's sovereignty. 'DANGEROUS PATH' "It is straying further down a dangerous path. The Chinese side will not allow the Philippines to act willfully," Wu told a briefing. "We have responded with legitimate, resolute and restrained actions. The Philippine side should realise that provocations will only do themselves more harm than good, and soliciting foreign support will lead nowhere." Asked about Marcos vowing countermeasures, China's defence spokesperson Wu said Beijing would take resolute and decisive measures to defend its sovereignty. "China firmly opposes the Philippine side's treachery and provocation, as well as its fabrication of lies to mislead international public opinion," Wu said. China, which claims almost the entire South China Sea as its own, warned the Philippines on Monday to behave cautiously and seek dialogue, saying their relations were at a "crossroads". The latest flare-up occurred last week, when China used water cannon to disrupt another Philippine resupply mission to the Second Thomas Shoal for soldiers posted to guard a warship intentionally grounded on a reef 25 years ago. |
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Posted: 3/28/2024 9:42:05 PM EDT
[#12]
So will the campaign ribbon for this one be a real “rainbow ribbon”?
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Posted: 3/28/2024 9:44:01 PM EDT
[#13]
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Posted: 3/28/2024 9:50:29 PM EDT
[#14]
Biden won't do shit.
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Posted: 3/29/2024 8:52:12 PM EDT
[Last Edit: zoinks]
[#15]
Score Card!!!
Things have dropped off significantly today, and with tomorrow late afternoon here being the last day of the month there, let's see where we stand: Taiwan tracks 5 Chinese naval ships, 4 military aircraft around nation (clicked too quickly!!!) TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked five Chinese naval vessels and four military aircraft around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday (March 28) and 6 a.m. on Friday (March 29). So far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 347 times and naval vessels 191 times. |
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Posted: 3/29/2024 8:57:18 PM EDT
[#16]
Taiwan has a similar problem to Hunter Biden:
Taiwan defense minister offers resignation TAIPEI (Taiwan News) Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng ( ) offered his resignation on Thursday (March 28) amid a scandal involving his son, but President Tsai Ing-wen ( ) asked him to remain at his post. Presidential Office Spokesperson Olivia Lin ( ) said on Friday (March 29) that Chiu apologized to Tsai on Thursday evening for the "troubles brought upon the team due to family matters," reported UDN. He then verbally tendered his resignation, but Tsai persuaded him to stay. Major General Sun Li-fang ( ), spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND), responded to the media in the MND Line group on Friday, by saying the National Security Bureau has opened an investigation. Sun added that Chiu will continue to focus on his duties. Online media outlet Next Digital on Thursday reported that Chiu's son, who works for the NSB, is suspected of being involved in sex trafficking and engaging in pornography. However, the report did not publish the purported footage. |
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Posted: 3/29/2024 9:32:47 PM EDT
[#17]
Here's another substance we need to worry about:
17 ill, 2 dead from suspected bongkrek acid poisoning at Taipei eatery TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of Health and Welfare on Thursday (March 28) said four more people have reported feeling ill after dining at a Taipei eatery, bringing the total number of people suspected of food poisoning to 17, two of whom have died. Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan ( ) said that three more customers from New Taipei City reported symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea after dining at a branch of Malaysian restaurant Polam Kopitiam in the basement food court of Far Eastern Sogo Xinyi A13 Department Store on Sunday (March 24), reported SET News. The fourth new case ate fried rice noodles at the restaurant and initially sought medical treatment at a Taipei hospital, but later returned to his hometown of Tainan City. Of the 17 patients tied to the Polam Kopitiam case, five are in intensive care units, one is in a regular hospital bed, nine are recuperating at home, and two have died. The ministry believes the cause was likely food poisoning, but they cannot rule out the possibility of "human factors." This webiste (Bongkrekic Acid a Review of a Lesser-Known Mitochondrial Toxin ) has this listed: Bongkrekic acid is a mitochondrial ANT toxin and is reported primarily in outbreaks of food-borne poisoning involving coconut and corn. It should be considered in outbreaks of food-borne illness when signs and symptoms manifest involving the liver, brain, and kidneys and when coconut- or corn-based foods are implicated. Bongkrekic acid (BA), a little-known mitochondrial toxin produced by the bacterium Burkholderia gladioli pathovar (strain or set of strains with the same or similar characteristics that have been shown to be pathogenic to certain plants) cocovenenans (B. cocovenenans), has been implicated in various outbreaks of severe food-borne illness [1 12]. Human illness from BA exposure is reported from consumption of contaminated food, particularly fermented coconut tempe (a traditional food made of fermented coconut pulp) and corn products [13]. These outbreaks have occurred mainly in Indonesia and China [4]; however, one was recently reported in Mozambique [12]. B. cocovenenans proliferation and BA toxin production increases when these food products undergo incomplete fermentation. Bongkrekic acid is odorless and tasteless; affected food products can have a normal appearance, smell, and taste [5]. Published epidemiological and toxicological reports about outbreaks and human illness from BA are scarce. Outbreaks to date have been reported in only two settings: in Indonesia, among people who eat tempe bongkrek, a traditional food made of coconut pulp fermented by Rhizopus oligosporum [18], and in China, among people who eat fermented corn flour products or Tremella fuciformis mushrooms  Attached FileFrom the next story, we have this info: Two arrested for fatal bongkrek acid poisoning in Taipei TAIPEI (Taiwan News) After two deaths resulting from bongkrek acid poisoning in Taipei, two men at the eatery concerned were arrested and charged with negligent death by prosecutors on Friday (March 29). There were reports of at least 21 people falling ill, including two deaths, after eating dishes at the Malaysian vegetarian restaurant Polam Kopitiam in the Far Eastern Sogo department store between March 19-25. Chefs and managers of the store have been questioned by police. Around 2 p.m. on Friday, two managers, men surnamed Li ( ) and Wang ( ), were transferred to the Xinyi branch of the Taipei Prosecutor's Office and charged with negligent homicide, reported LTN. In addition to the managers, a Vietnamese chef surnamed Ho ( ), plus a chef who was out of the country when customers were poisoned, were interrogated by the authorities. They reportedly explained their food preparation methods, and said the managers were responsible for ordering and storing the ingredients. Ho, who was covering for the chef surnamed Chou ( ) when the poisonings occurred, is reportedly listed as a defendant in the case. He is not permitted to leave Taiwan. After an initial autopsy of the two deaths, it was confirmed on Thursday (March 28) that bongkrek acid poisoning was the cause of death. Just 1 milligram of the substance can be fatal, and even smaller amounts can severely damage the liver, kidneys, and intestinal tract. Again, while I don't think the PRC has anything to do with this, I will suggest that they have taken notice and will even further suggest that they will find a way to exploit it. "Just 1 milligram of the substance can be fatal, and even smaller amounts can severely damage the liver, kidneys, and intestinal tract." That's just way too tempting for them to ignore. |
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Posted: 3/30/2024 12:42:21 AM EDT
[Last Edit: zoinks]
[#18]
I forgot about 'Propaganda Friday"!!
Opinion | Why China can rest easy if Trump is re-elected US president I'm pretty sure we've posted Stanley Chao pieces before hand, but I can't recall; nothing really stands out about his writing. Mainly because it's a lot like the typical tripe put out by the likes of the Washington Post, New York Times, or watching any NBC news program from any of their channels. Click bait, rage porn, however you want to phrase it. They're talking loud and saying nothing to paraphrase a James Brown song. This isn't any different. Is it worth your time reading? That's the question. For the purposes of learning about propaganda, yes. The piece was written specifically for English speakers, and oddly enough, those we call leftists. It's good to practice reading such things that are somewhat sloppy, so you can pick out and learn about the techniques used when you read something that is well written and nuanced, plus does have the ability to lead you in some other direction that you weren't heading. If it gives you the paywall, just toggle the reading view. By the way, the title is total click bait for leftists. Mr. Chao never speaks about his own thesis in the piece. There's a bit of a difference between the paywall web page and the reader view. Trump's threats don't work on China, but they could alienate Nato allies and worsen the conflict in the Middle East even as the polarising leader presides over a more divided America |
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Posted: 3/31/2024 12:32:17 AM EDT
[#19]
Score Card!!!! I'm a little late, but it's Easter!!
Taiwan tracks 8 military aircraft, 7 Chinese naval ships TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked eight Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Friday (March 29) and the same time Saturday (March 30). In response, Taiwan monitored People's Liberation Army (PLA) activity and deployed appropriate forces, according to the MND. One PLA aircraft entered the country's southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) during that time. So far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 355 times and naval vessels 198 times. In separate news, it appears that PRC citizens have been sending over retail drones to watch a Taiwanese military exercise: Taiwan protests Chinese drone filming outlying island TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The military has condemned Chinese netizens using drones to film activities on the outlying island of Erdan near Kinmen, reports said Saturday (March 30). Rumors circulated online that unmanned aerial vehicles had captured footage of military movements on Erdan Island, a Taiwanese-held island within view of the Chinese city of Xiamen. An investigation by the Kinmen Defense Command concluded the footage had been shot Friday (March 29) afternoon while soldiers were offloading supplies, per CNA. Because of the distance and glare from the sun, the military did not reportedly notice the drone. The Kinmen Defense Command said local officers could take appropriate measures based on the threat level the drones posed. The military blamed some Chinese netizens for the provocative behavior, which could easily escalate into a serious incident. A failure by the Chinese authorities to take action could lead to confrontation, which would affect regional peace and stability, according to the Kinmen Defense Command. |
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Posted: 3/31/2024 12:37:45 AM EDT
[#20]
And now, I'm going to pat myself on the back, no! I'm to reward myself with oreos for saying the following last year!!
Indigenous tribes could pave way for Taiwan independence TAIPEI (Taiwan News) Taiwan's Indigenous tribes could be the key factor in gaining true independence, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs Senior Fellow Dr. Alexander Gorlach said in a Politico opinion article. Gorlach quoted Taipei University of Education associate professor of Indigenous studies Chuan-ju Cheng ( ), saying, "The only possibility for Taiwan to truly achieve independence from China's grasp is, in theory, only to first allow the Indigenous tribes of Taiwan to establish an independent nation named 'Formosa'." After "Formosa" was formed, "the Han people of Taiwan could join the new state," Cheng said. Xi Jinping has become an enemy of Taiwan's Indigenous people with his threats of invasion, Gorlach said. They never considered themselves to be a part of China as their ancestors lived on the island for six millennia, and they believe it is up to them to decide Taiwan's future, he said. Represented by the Taipei government, the Han could then "leverage this union with the First Nations of Taiwan by highlighting their long-standing Indigenous heritage," Gorlach said. By actively participating in Taiwan Indigenous conferences and other events, Taipei could make a case for Taiwan's sovereignty decoupled from the Kuomintang's Republic of China legacy, he said. Gorlach said that ultimately, Taiwan's successful democracy is "a good example of how to atone for the wrongdoings and crimes of a colonial past." But, I did say the rest of it last year. Score 1 for ARF!!!! You guys may or may not know, but the peoples that are now throughout the Pacific in Samoa, Hawaii, throughout Polynesia, and the Philippines originated from the Island of Formosa centuries ago. |
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Posted: 3/31/2024 9:58:55 PM EDT
[#21]
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese naval ships, 4 military aircraft around nation
This marks the first time that more ships steamed from China to Taiwan than aircraft flew from China to Taiwan: TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked six Chinese naval vessels and four military aircraft around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Saturday (March 30) and 6 a.m. on Sunday (March 31). In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defense missile systems to monitor the People's Liberation Army (PLA) activity, according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line or entered the southwest corner of the country's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) during that time. So far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 359 times and naval vessels 204 times. In the meantime, there's this:  Attached FileThat chick in the middle is cute!! So, we'll cover this story (otherwise, I'd blow it off): Taiwan lawmakers launch association for Hong Kong TAIPEI (Taiwan News) Lawmakers launched the "Taiwan Parliament Group for Hong Kong" on Friday (March 29) to keep an eye on developments in the territory. A far-reaching new package of security laws known as Article 23 came into effect on March 23. As a result, Taiwan's government cautioned citizens to be careful about visiting Hong Kong. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Huang Jie ( ), the first chair of the new group, said she hoped the public would see Hong Kong's fate as a warning and strengthen the country's democratic system. Her DPP colleague Hung Sun-han ( ) was chosen as her deputy, per CNA. He called on the Cabinet's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) to prepare for future developments and to keep helping Hong Kong citizens. In the face of China's authoritarian actions, the people of Taiwan and Hong Kong needed to stand together, he said. So, as the DPP sets up a legislative group to monitor things in Honk Kong (which was supposed to be autonomous for 50 years when the British returned Hong Kong to the PRC), let's check out what the KMT is doing these days. Tainan legislator says China, Taiwan share 'same blood, culture' while calling for cross-strait peace KMT members join Chinese academics, leaders at Cross-Strait Qingming Cultural Forum in Shanghai TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The 11th Cross-Strait Qingming Cultural Forum launched in Shanghai on Sunday (March 31), where guests from both sides of the Taiwan Strait said "family ties" would enable lasting peace. The forum was co-organized by research and educational organizations including the Shanghai branch of the Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) and Taiwan's Chang Ya Jo Education Foundation ( ), per CNA. The foundation is headed by the Kuomintang's (KMT) Chiang Hsiao-yen ( ), who was born in China's Guangxi province. Chiang delivered a video speech at the forum, in which he said both sides of the Taiwan Strait can "work together to revitalize China," using the word "Chunghwa ( )" that is common to both the formal names of Taiwan and China. He also said that he travels to Guangxi for ancestor worship every year. Meanwhile, KMT Legislator Hsieh Lung-chieh ( ) of Tainan appealed for cross-strait peace. Both sides share the "same culture, same race, and same blood," he said, and added that it would be "cruel to meet in war." Head of the Shanghai branch of the TAO Zhong Xiaomin ( ) praised former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou's ( ) planned trip to China that will begin Monday. Zhang said that the "blood and cultural ties" across the strait have never been reduced by politics. The forum comes amid high tensions around the outlying Taiwan-held Kinmen Islands, following the deaths of Chinese fishermen who were pursued by Taiwan's Coast Guard in February. Beijing blamed Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for the deaths, while KMT and DPP legislators have clashed over the facts of the incident. We should cover a little bit of the History of the KMT in Taiwan over this next week. |
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Posted: 3/31/2024 10:16:57 PM EDT
[Last Edit: CarmelBytheSea]
[#22]
Islands closest to Taiwan https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/15215063
 Attached File Attached File |
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Posted: 3/31/2024 10:26:10 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By zoinks: I forgot about 'Propaganda Friday"!! Opinion | Why China can rest easy if Trump is re-elected US president I'm pretty sure we've posted Stanley Chao pieces before hand, but I can't recall; nothing really stands out about his writing. Mainly because it's a lot like the typical tripe put out by the likes of the Washington Post, New York Times, or watching any NBC news program from any of their channels. Click bait, rage porn, however you want to phrase it. They're talking loud and saying nothing to paraphrase a James Brown song. This isn't any different. Is it worth your time reading? That's the question. For the purposes of learning about propaganda, yes. The piece was written specifically for English speakers, and oddly enough, those we call leftists. It's good to practice reading such things that are somewhat sloppy, so you can pick out and learn about the techniques used when you read something that is well written and nuanced, plus does have the ability to lead you in some other direction that you weren't heading. If it gives you the paywall, just toggle the reading view. By the way, the title is total click bait for leftists. Mr. Chao never speaks about his own thesis in the piece. There's a bit of a difference between the paywall web page and the reader view. by Zhou Bo. I'm supposing that there's a version of this article that is written for non-English speakers and originally was in Chinese. Probably gonna see more and more as time goes on. Even here in GD we had a rash of fuck Taiwan threads this weekend |
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Posted: 4/1/2024 11:59:12 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By zoinks: I forgot about 'Propaganda Friday"!! Opinion | Why China can rest easy if Trump is re-elected US president I'm pretty sure we've posted Stanley Chao pieces before hand, but I can't recall; nothing really stands out about his writing. Mainly because it's a lot like the typical tripe put out by the likes of the Washington Post, New York Times, or watching any NBC news program from any of their channels. Click bait, rage porn, however you want to phrase it. They're talking loud and saying nothing to paraphrase a James Brown song. This isn't any different. Is it worth your time reading? That's the question. For the purposes of learning about propaganda, yes. The piece was written specifically for English speakers, and oddly enough, those we call leftists. It's good to practice reading such things that are somewhat sloppy, so you can pick out and learn about the techniques used when you read something that is well written and nuanced, plus does have the ability to lead you in some other direction that you weren't heading. If it gives you the paywall, just toggle the reading view. By the way, the title is total click bait for leftists. Mr. Chao never speaks about his own thesis in the piece. There's a bit of a difference between the paywall web page and the reader view. by Zhou Bo. I'm supposing that there's a version of this article that is written for non-English speakers and originally was in Chinese. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By zoinks: I forgot about 'Propaganda Friday"!! Opinion | Why China can rest easy if Trump is re-elected US president I'm pretty sure we've posted Stanley Chao pieces before hand, but I can't recall; nothing really stands out about his writing. Mainly because it's a lot like the typical tripe put out by the likes of the Washington Post, New York Times, or watching any NBC news program from any of their channels. Click bait, rage porn, however you want to phrase it. They're talking loud and saying nothing to paraphrase a James Brown song. This isn't any different. Is it worth your time reading? That's the question. For the purposes of learning about propaganda, yes. The piece was written specifically for English speakers, and oddly enough, those we call leftists. It's good to practice reading such things that are somewhat sloppy, so you can pick out and learn about the techniques used when you read something that is well written and nuanced, plus does have the ability to lead you in some other direction that you weren't heading. If it gives you the paywall, just toggle the reading view. By the way, the title is total click bait for leftists. Mr. Chao never speaks about his own thesis in the piece. There's a bit of a difference between the paywall web page and the reader view. Trump's threats don't work on China, but they could alienate Nato allies and worsen the conflict in the Middle East even as the polarising leader presides over a more divided America They should coordinate better with the Xinhua, who was happy to see Trump go: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-01/16/c_139672537.htm 
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Posted: 4/1/2024 12:05:42 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 2tired2run: They should coordinate better with the Xinhua, who was happy to see Trump go: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-01/16/c_139672537.htm Exactly and that’s the irony for a portion of them |
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Posted: 4/2/2024 12:23:27 AM EDT
[#26]
Here's the last day of March's Score Card:
Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese naval ships around nation TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked seven Chinese naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday (March 31) and 6 a.m. on Monday (April 1). In response, Taiwan sent naval ships and deployed coastal missile systems to monitor the People's Liberation Army (PLA) activity, according to the MND. No PLA aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line or entered the southwest corner of the country's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) during that time. Last month, Taiwan tracked Chinese military aircraft 359 times and naval vessels 211 times. Maybe! Or it's good practice for a blockade. Not enough info on aircraft generation as to whether jet engines still have a short life span in the PLAAF. It's also possible this is what they what us to think. Sucks being on the defensive/reactive side of things. Here's the first day of April's score card: Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese naval vessels, 6 military aircraft around nation TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked seven Chinese naval vessels and six military aircraft around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Monday (April 1) and 6 a.m. on Tuesday (April 2). Of the six People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, two crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, according to the MND. No PLA aircraft entered the southwest corner of Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) during that time. Overall though, moment is picking up on the various flashpoints of the region. If it's at all coordinated, retards appear to be running the show. Nothing is really getting the PRC military forces anywhere; there's just more movement...in circles. Take it for what it's worth! |
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Posted: 4/2/2024 9:33:43 AM EDT
[#28]
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Posted: 4/2/2024 9:40:11 AM EDT
[#29]
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Posted: 4/2/2024 11:06:11 AM EDT
[#30]
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Posted: 4/2/2024 9:34:55 PM EDT
[#31]
Earthquake in Taiwan:
 Attached FileEstimated at 7.3 on the Richter scale. Tsunami warnings throughout the various archipelagos, and technology outages not only in Taiwan, but Japan and the PRC as well, plus throughout Asia as one part of Asia couldn't communicate with another. The systems automatically look for new routes, but as things bunch up, it usually end up shutting down. Earthquake Knocks Out Communication Systems in Taiwan TAIPEI, Taiwan Telephone lines and Internet service went dead across much of Asia on Wednesday after two powerful earthquakes damaged undersea cables used by several countries to route calls and online traffic. Repairing the cables could take weeks because crews have to pull them up and transfer them to a ship for repair, said Lin Jen-hung, vice general manager of Chunghwa Telecom Co., Taiwan's largest phone company. The quakes jolted Taiwan late Tuesday, setting off a tsunami alert on the second anniversary of the Dec. 26, 2004, waves and quake that killed 230,000 in nine countries from the Indonesian islands to east Africa. No large waves materialized this time but two people were killed when their home collapsed. Two cables were damaged, both off Taiwan's coast, Chunghwa said. The company reported a 50 percent loss of overall telephone capacity, with connections to China, Japan and Southeast Asia most affected. Chunghwa also said almost all of Taiwan's communications capacity with Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong was disrupted. Also hard hit was telephone service to the U.S., where 60 percent of capacity was lost, the company said. Internet access in Beijing was cut or extremely slow, while Japanese customers were having trouble calling India and the Middle East. In South Korea, dozens of companies and institutions were affected, including the country's Foreign Ministry. Hong Kong telephone company PCCW Ltd., which also provides Internet service, said the quake cut its data capacity in half. Many Internet users were unable to access Web sites in parts of America, Taiwan and South Korea. Calls to Taiwan weren't connecting. Internet access was cut or extremely slow in Beijing, said an official from China Netcom, China's No. 2 phone company. The official, who would not give his name, said the cause was thought to be the earthquake, but he had no further details. CCTV, the state-run television network, said China Telecom Corp., China's biggest phone company, was contacting counterparts in the U.S. and Europe about using satellites to make up for the shortfall. KDDI Corp., Japan's major carrier for international calls, said its fixed-line telephone service was affected by the quake. Company spokesman Haruhiko Maeda said customers were having trouble calling India and the Middle East, which are usually use the cables near Taiwan. Maeda said the company was rerouting calls to go through the U.S. and Europe and the company did not know how long it will take to repair the cables. Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said that international roaming service provided by Japan's major three telecommunications NTT DoCoMO, KDDI, and Softbank, was affected. Ministry official Akira Yamanaka said that some customers were unable to make calls using their cell phones in countries including Taiwan. South Korea's largest telecom company, KT, said that lines it uses were damaged, affecting dozens of companies and institutions, including South Korea's Foreign Ministry. Quakes frequently shake Taiwan, which is part of the Pacific's "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanos and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin. Most are minor and cause little or no damage. However, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake in central Taiwan in September 1999 killed more than 2,300 people. Two members of one family were killed in Hengchun when their four-story home collapsed. The quake injured 42 people, three homes collapsed and 12 fires broke out, the National Fire Agency said. |
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Posted: 4/2/2024 10:13:29 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2024/04/01/american-deterrence-is-failing-in-the-south-china-sea/amp/ Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2024/04/01/american-deterrence-is-failing-in-the-south-china-sea/amp/ As we covered in a post on pg 25, #5 - High-lites, low-lites of Congressional hearing orginally posted by Carmel Here's the response from the Gov't officials:
Lindsey Ford, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, laid out what is at stake while testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee last year. In her testimony, she noted that recurring incidents, like Beijing's harassment of Vietnamese fishing vessels, are now routine. So, too, is the use of military-grade lasers, unsafe intercepts of U.S. military aircraft, and the militarization of artificial islands in and around the area. Trillions of dollars could be on the line as this trade artery is at the heart of worldwide manufacturing and high-tech. |
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CO, USA
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Posted: 4/2/2024 10:15:39 PM EDT
[#33]
Biden will send in the WOKE to give the men tampons!
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Posted: 4/2/2024 10:36:31 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16297524.html Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16297524.html Yes, sir! Manila must be warned against horrors of war Irony - a(1) : incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result (2) : an event or result marked by such incongruity The last time the PRC stepped on a battlefield, it got its ass handed to it by Vietnam in 1979. Meanwhile for the Philippines, individual Filippinos have been in fighting in US wars for decades now, plus they have had their own guerrilla war going on forever. Plenty of experience to be found at the individual level which is what counts. Here's how the CCP starts it off: In June 1914, the major European powers were forced into a war by the shooting down of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, in Sarajevo, which was part of the relatively small country of Serbia at the time. The ensuing World War I was one of the darkest moments in history, leaving indelible scars that still haunt many countries across the world. Exactly 110 years later, another relatively small country, the Philippines, has been making provocative moves and engaging in reckless brinkmanship, in an attempt to draw major powers into a conflict, which will have unprecedented consequences for the Asia-Pacific region. Then they "double-down" on their rhetoric: Although the Philippines has launched several such assaults, there is a common feature to them: they all highlight the military factor, in order to test whether the United States will fulfill the promises it has made in the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951. To put it simply, the Philippines has been resorting to military aggression, on the pretext of its armed forces being attacked by their Chinese counterparts, in a bid to prompt the US military to intervene in the matter, without bothering that this could spark a confrontation, leading to a war between the two major powers. |
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Posted: 4/3/2024 9:15:08 AM EDT
[#35]
Here's yesterday's Score Card (due to the earthquake, it took longer than usual for them to post):
Taiwan tracks 30 Chinese military aircraft, 9 naval ships around nation TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 30 Chinese military aircraft and nine naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday (April 2) and 6 a.m. on Wednesday (April 3). Of the 20 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 10 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, including four that entered the northeast corner of the country's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. Meanwhile, 10 of the PLA aircraft flew into the southwest sector of the ADIZ. So far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 36 times and naval vessels 13 times. The Taiwanese Air Force that some F-16s received damage from the quake: Taiwan quake causes minor damage to F-16 jet TAIPEI (Taiwan News) Shortly after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck near Hualien on Taiwan's east coast on Wednesday (April 2), media reports indicated that an F-16V aircraft was damaged at an Air Force base in Hualien. They said F-16V Block 20 aircraft were parked in a hanger at Chiashan Air Force Base, with boarding ladders at the ready to ensure rapid response capability. Some boarding ladders toppled during the quake, and reportedly caused minor damage to an unspecified number of fighter jets, reported CNA. However, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) responded Wednesday afternoon. It said that all repairs had been completed and that none of the damage would affect the combat readiness of any jets at the base. In an interview with CNA, an MND representative said the shaking boarding ladders may have damaged some exterior lightbulbs on aircraft at the air base in Hualien. And as a follow up to the article about the live fire exercise, it was postponed due to fog: Fog forces changes to live-fire drills on outlying Taiwan islands TAIPEI (Taiwan News) Heavy fog forced the Kinmen Defense Command to move live-fire drills away from the sea to a site on Kinmen, reports said Tuesday (April 2). The Army had planned to start live exercises into the sea from four islands in Kinmen County on Tuesday, per CNA. However, safety concerns about the state of the weather at sea in the area led to a decision to move the drills away from the water, the Army said. Whether Wednesday's live-fire drills will go ahead as planned depends on weather conditions during the morning, the Kinmen Defense Command said. |
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Posted: 4/3/2024 9:19:59 AM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By zoinks: Carmel says, "start Propaganda Friday, NOW, Slacker!!!" Yes, sir! Manila must be warned against horrors of war Irony - It's not a CCP thing as I don't think Marx and Engles covered it in any of the books, pamphlets or manifestos. The last time the PRC stepped on a battlefield, it got its ass handed to it by Vietnam in 1979. Meanwhile for the Philippines, individual Filippinos have been in fighting in US wars for decades now, plus they have had their own guerrilla war going on forever. Plenty of experience to be found at the individual level which is what counts. Here's how the CCP starts it off: So, it's all the Phillippines fault. Then they "double-down" on their rhetoric: There's more, but it's like listening to democratic politicians here, but do read it and get a sense for it. This is our third year of cataloging events here, and what we've cataloged says otherwise. I didn’t post other articles but basically several nations in East Asia expressed their concerns to China sbout the friction in the South China Seas and China started rolling out the bullshit propaganda there foreign ministry went on a diatribe |
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Posted: 4/3/2024 9:43:00 AM EDT
[#37]
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Posted: 4/4/2024 12:09:45 AM EDT
[#38]
Today's Score Card:
Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese naval ships, 3 military aircraft around nation TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked seven Chinese naval vessels and three military aircraft around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Wednesday (April 3) and 6 a.m. on Thursday (April 4). Of the three People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, none crossed the Taiwan Strait median line or entered the southwest corner of the country's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. So far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 39 times and naval vessels 20 times.  Attached FileYesterday was the Earthquake, so it was all about testing Taiwan day with the 30 PLA aircraft. Today, the PRC returns to the new pattern of more ships than aircraft. On the one hand, there's plenty of Ocean water available around the islands now, and I'm thinking that jet engine life is still pretty low for the Chinese. Still waiting to see if balloons return. |
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Posted: 4/5/2024 9:36:18 AM EDT
[#39]
Score Card!!
Taiwan tracks 8 Chinese naval vessels around nation No PLA aircraft in the last 24 hours: TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked eight Chinese naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday (April 4) and 6 a.m. on Friday (April 5). In response, Taiwan sent naval ships and deployed coastal missile systems to monitor the People's Liberation Army (PLA) activity, according to the MND. So far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 39 times and naval vessels 28 times. Here's a cool story for a Propaganda Friday. It seems that PRC has been thanking foreign countries for their sympathetic statements about Taiwan's earthquake. Taiwan slams China for accepting global sympathy over quake (I'll post the Reuters story later today.) TAIPEI (Taiwan News) Taipei condemned Beijing as "shameless" on Thursday (April 4) after China's deputy ambassador to the United Nations thanked the world for its concern over a massive earthquake that struck Taiwan. On Wednesday, after the magnitude 7.2 quake struck Hualien, U.S. Representative to the U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, during a U.N. Security Council briefing on children and armed conflict, expressed her sympathy to those affected in Taiwan. "Let me begin by offering my condolences to the many, many people impacted by the terrible earthquake in Taiwan," Thomas-Greenfield said. "Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones, who are injured, and whose homes and businesses have been destroyed." China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the U.N. Geng Shuang ( ) then mentioned that Thomas-Greenfield had brought up the earthquake in "China's Taiwan," reported Reuters. China is concerned about the damage and has expressed condolences to Taiwan and offered aid, he said, according to a transcript of his comments on the Chinese mission to the U.N. website. "We thank the international community for its expression of sympathy and concern," he added. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) slammed China's remarks. The ministry "solemnly condemns China's shameless use of the Taiwan earthquake to conduct cognitive operations internationally," MOFA said, according to Reuters. MOFA added that this shows China has no goodwill toward Taiwan, per Reuters. The Presidential Office on Thursday thanked world leaders and political figures from allied and like-minded countries for expressing condolences to Taiwan over the quake. |
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Posted: 4/7/2024 9:35:26 PM EDT
[#40]
Score Card!
Taiwan tracks 1 Chinese aircraft and 7 vessels TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked one Chinese aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Friday (April 5) and the same time Saturday (April 6). The People's Liberation Army (PLA) helicopter entered the country's eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. So far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 40 times and naval vessels 35 times. Here's another update about the live fire exercise that was postponed due to fog: Taiwan to hold live-fire missile drills this week TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The military on Sunday (April 7) announced details of live-fire drills scheduled from April 9-17. Aside from test-firing the newly developed Land Sword II missile on April 9 at Jiupeng Military Base in Pingtung, the military will also hold the Lei Ting, Shen Ying, and Shen Gong exercises this month. In the Lei Ting exercise, units will launch MK15, MK30, and MK45 rockets from Thunderbolt-2000 multiple-launch rocket systems to demonstrate anti-landing combat capabilities, CNA reported. Soldiers will practice firing positions, firing procedures, and weapons and fire control systems checks on the vehicles. In the Shen Ying exercise, various types of helicopters from the Aviation and Special Forces Command, including AH-64E Apaches and AH-1W Super Cobras, will carry out air-to-air firing. The helicopters will fire Hellfire and Sidewinder missiles to test their ability to strike sea, air, and land targets. In the Shen Gong exercise, troops will use dual-mounted systems and Avenger air-defense systems to fire Stinger missiles. The soldiers have 10 seconds to track and fire to eliminate the target. The Taiwanese Army has also updated their AR-15/M-16 type rifles: Taiwan Army to purchase first batch of T112 rifles  Attached FileTAIPEI (Taiwan News) Senior Taiwanese generals announced Saturday (April 6) the Taiwan Army will purchase its first batch of 25,000 T112 rifles next year. The bureau claims that the T112 has better range and accuracy while weighing 3.5 kg, per Liberty Times. Currently, Taiwan's troops are armed with the T91 rifle, which is based on the M16 rifle and M4 carbine. The T112 will use the same 5.56x45mm cartridge as the T91. Lieutenant Li Chien-ting ( ), systems analyst for the T112, said that several human factors were incorporated into the new rifle. "To accommodate operational needs and facilitate left-handed shooting, the design adopts ambidextrous charging handles and shooting mode selectors on both sides," the lieutenant said. Li said the effective range is also increased from 400 to 600 meters, and the barrel life is increased from 6,000 to 10,000 rounds. The shooting modes on the T91 are semi-automatic, three-round burst, and fully automatic, but the T112 is semi-automatic, two-round burst, and fully automatic. Additionally, the 205th Arsenal has also developed a bolt-action "T112 sniper rifle." Equipped with a foldable stock and weighing at 12 kg, the rifle uses a heavy 12.7x108mm cartridge and has an effective range of 2,000 km. I'm only here to look at pretty pictures The Taiwanese Army did something right with the rifle: it doesn't have an FA on it!!   Attached FileWho wants to tell them it's their funeral???
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Posted: 4/7/2024 9:41:08 PM EDT
[#41]
Here's an interesting story:
Top US diplomat suggests AUKUS subs can be used in Taiwan conflict I think that most of us think that the US won't be able to produce any subs for Australia and the UK any time soon. Most of us also think that a War will happen sooner rather than later. That being said, it was very nice of U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell to say that the purchasing countries can use the submarines if Taiwan is invaded by the PRC. TAIPEI (Taiwan News) AUKUS submarines could be used against China in a military conflict over Taiwan, the U.S.' second most powerful diplomat suggested on Wednesday (April 3). Speaking at the Center for a New American Security, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell linked the AUKUS submarine pact to Taiwan. He said the submarines would enhance regional stability, including in the Taiwan Strait, and suggested they could deter Chinese aggression toward Taiwan. AUKUS possesses "enormous implications in a variety of scenarios, including in cross-strait circumstances," the diplomat said. "I would argue that working closely with other nations, not just diplomatically but in defense avenues, has the consequence of strengthening peace and stability more generally." Campbell argued that AUKUS will be increasingly important to Indo-Pacific security, saying, "What we're confronting now are challenges that require a much deeper engagement with allies and partners, and I think the idea over time will be in a number of potential areas of conflict and in a number of scenarios." "I think those practical circumstances in which AUKUS has the potential to have submarines operating in close coordination that could deliver conventional ordinance from long distances," he added. However, China has said that AUKUS undermines peace and security, warning it could fuel a nuclear arms race in the region. |
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Posted: 4/7/2024 9:57:15 PM EDT
[#42]
I stumbled over a CNN report with a video from last month about the Chinese Coast Guard attacking the Philippine supply ship on their resupply mission of the Ship on the reef. (I was looking for another source for a current story from SCMP.)
What it's like on board an outnumbered Philippine ship facing down China's push to dominate the South China Sea (The video is embedded to the page, and I couldn't find a url for it.) As dawn slowly broke on the horizon, a large fleet of Chinese vessels came into view from the deck of a Philippine Coast Guard ship as it entered the contested waters of the South China Sea. Significantly outnumbered by the number of Chinese vessels, the four ships in the Philippine convoy on a resupply mission to troops were quickly surrounded and separated during a frantic high seas skirmish on Tuesday morning. Within just a few hours, the window of one Philippine boat would be shattered by water cannon and four sailors aboard would be injured. China's determination to assert its disputed sovereignty over the entirety of the vast South China Sea has sparked increasing clashes with its neighbors in recent years, particularly the Philippines, which is a mutual defense ally of the United States. But what CNN journalists on board the Philippine Coast Guard vessel on Tuesday witnessed was one of the most severe confrontations to date and a vivid illustration of how this David versus Goliath struggle in one of the world's busiest shipping waterways could spiral into the next global conflict. The Philippine ship tried to find safe passage through myriad China Coast Guard ships as well as fishing vessels that form part of China's shadowy "maritime militia" blocking their path. As I wrote above, I was trying to get a second source for this South China Morning Post story. I'm reading what I can from the Reader View as I keep getting their pay wall. (I'm guessing they can see the MAC address of the computer. I've been made!!!) First, we'll do al-jazeera's take and then jump on the SCMP article: China holds 'combat patrol' in South China Sea amid US-led war games China has conducted military "combat patrols" in the disputed South China Sea, raising the stakes in the disputed seas on the same day as the United States holds the first joint military exercises with the Philippines, Japan and Australia. Beijing's surprise announcement of a naval drill on Sunday came a day after defence chiefs from the four countries said the Philippines would host joint drills in the same area on the same day. Beijing's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command said it was organising "joint naval and air combat patrols in the South China Sea". "All military activities that mess up the situation in the South China Sea and create hotspots are under control," it said in a statement in an apparent swipe at the US-led drills being held in the same waters. The Chinese army gave no further details about its activities in the waterway on Sunday. The exercises took place days before US President Joe Biden was due to hold the first trilateral summit with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines. Top US officials have repeatedly declared the US's "ironclad" commitment to defending the Philippines against an armed attack in the South China Sea to the consternation of Beijing. al-jazeera does usually add this line to their stories: China claims territorial sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea and has been increasingly assertive in the region in recent years. A 2016 ruling by the arbitral court in The Hague declared Beijing's claim as without basis. But Beijing has brushed aside that ruling as well as the competing territorial claims by the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations. Spontaneous PRC Response Type C: On Saturday, China's coastguard also traded accusations with the Philippines. It said it had "handled" a situation on Thursday at Iroquois Reef, where several ships from the Philippines were engaged in "illegal" operations. "Under the guise of 'protecting fishing', Philippine government ships have illegally violated and provoked, organised media to deliberately incite and mislead, continuing to undermine stability in the South China Sea," spokesman Gan Yu said. "We are telling the Philippines that any infringement tactics are in vain," Gan said, adding that China would "regularly enforce the law in waters under [its] jurisdiction". The Philippines insists that, under international law, the area is within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Philippine coastguard spokesman Jay Tarriela also accused China of conducting "illegal enforcement operations". The joint drills, hosted by the Philippines on Sunday, are intended to "[ensure] that all countries are free to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows," US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a joint statement. Named the "Maritime Cooperative Activity", the drills will include naval and air force units from all four countries, the joint statement said. Reports said the exercises will also include anti-submarine warfare training to safeguard "the rule of law that is the foundation for a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region". |
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Posted: 4/7/2024 10:07:01 PM EDT
[#43]
Now for the SCMP story:
PLA patrols South China Sea as US, Philippines, Japan and Australia hold drills The following is claimed to have come from "a noted Chinese think tank" that apparently doesn't need the free advertisement as they're probably booked up solid doing think tank kinds of things for the foreseeable future. You'll love their name! There is no immediate risk of war between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea despite repeated clashes in recent months, a noted Chinese think tank has said. This is because the Philippines cannot beat China on its own, and the US is not interested in getting directly involved in any such conflict, the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI) said. "The United States hopes to use the Philippines' geographical location to contain China, but it does not want to be unnecessarily involved in an armed conflict with China because of the Philippines' agenda," the Beijing-based think tank said in its latest annual report. SCSPI director Hu Bo said while the Philippines appeared to be turning into a "proxy" for US interests aimed at countering Beijing, there was "no possibility of a proxy war", given that rival South China Sea claimants including Manila would not be able to win if the US did not get involved. "The United States does not want to fight, and the Philippines and Vietnam do not dare to fight," Hu told a panel discussion to mark the report's release on Friday. The SCSPI report said despite Washington's diplomatic support for Manila, and the deployment of P-8As and other types of unmanned reconnaissance aircraft to provide real-time intelligence support, there was "no sign" that it would directly assist Philippine resupply missions to the Second Thomas Shoal. "The United States hopes that trouble will happen every day in the South China Sea, but at this stage, it does not want 'big trouble' to happen there. It is not yet ready and determined to have a military showdown with China," the report said. According to Hu: "The good news is that in the foreseeable future, there should be no armed conflict [in the South China Sea]." He said US actions so far had been "restrained" and its top priority was to "deter" China, rather than start a war, adding that both countries wanted their ties to stabilise. The SCSPI annual report studies US military activities in the region. According to Friday's edition, the frequency of US Navy aircraft carrier strike group activities in the South China Sea last year was the same as in 2022, but their duration had increased significantly. US warships also made fewer Taiwan Strait transits last year, the report said, though aerial transits had increased. It also said Washington had increased the hype around its operations and stepped up efforts to use its regional allies to pressure Beijing. |
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Posted: 4/7/2024 10:09:58 PM EDT
[#44]
Next Week there's supposed to be an exercise with 4 countries involved:
Philippines flags 'harassment' by Chinese vessels ahead of Japan, US drills On Sunday, the Philippines will host joint naval and air drills with the US, Japan and Australia in the disputed area, as it seeks to deepen ties with its allies to counter China's growing assertiveness in the region. In a joint statement on Saturday, the participating defence chiefs of the four countries said the drill would demonstrate their "collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific". Next week, US President Joe Biden is due to hold the first trilateral summit with Marcos Jr and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington, DC. The drills will include naval and air force units from all four countries, the statement said, but did not provide further details. Japan's embassy in Manila said that "anti-submarine warfare training" would be included in the exercises. |
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Posted: 4/7/2024 11:13:35 PM EDT
[#45]
Was on the road so couldn’t post this a few days ago for propaganda Friday
https://english.news.cn/20240405/d380f3973d7b45f793d36a3cc46b4fb0/c.html |
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Posted: 4/8/2024 11:36:46 AM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: Was on the road so couldn't post this a few days ago for propaganda Friday https://english.news.cn/20240405/d380f3973d7b45f793d36a3cc46b4fb0/c.html Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: Was on the road so couldn't post this a few days ago for propaganda Friday https://english.news.cn/20240405/d380f3973d7b45f793d36a3cc46b4fb0/c.html "We're giving them those other choices. And those other choices mean having the U.S. have their backs, having the U.S. standing with them side by side as they address some of the challenges that China is forcing upon them," U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at a think tank event early this week. This Sinophobic rhetoric is not just disingenuous but downright insulting. Stuck in the perilous logic of zero-sum competition, the United States has been bent on sabotaging exchanges and cooperation between China and Pacific Island countries. It also exposes the self-serving nature of American foreign policy, which prioritizes strategic advantage over genuine partnership and solidarity. |
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Posted: 4/8/2024 11:40:06 AM EDT
[#47]
Score card!
Taiwan tracks 4 Chinese naval ships around nation TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense tracked four Chinese naval ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday (April 7) and 6 a.m. on Monday (April 8). So far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 40 times and naval vessels 45 times. |
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Posted: 4/8/2024 2:20:37 PM EDT
[#48]
Never knew the USN had a base in Papau New Guinea (on some island close to the Solomons). Seems like just a small boat training base
https://news.usni.org/2024/04/06/u-s-set-to-expand-naval-base-in-papua-new-guinea 
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Posted: 4/8/2024 2:24:00 PM EDT
[#49]
We've talked about this wargaming the CSIS did a while ago, but this is a good explaination of how a winning (meaning US, Japan, Taiwan win) scenario worked.
I've heard about the limited invasion beaches on Taiwan, but didn't realize they are in the south.  This is the Most Likely Scenario for a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan | WSJ |
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Posted: 4/9/2024 9:48:53 AM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By dedreckon: We've talked about this wargaming the CSIS did a while ago, but this is a good explaination of how a winning (meaning US, Japan, Taiwan win) scenario worked. I've heard about the limited invasion beaches on Taiwan, but didn't realize they are in the south. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CcQ4jKn8aEQuote HistoryOriginally Posted By dedreckon: We've talked about this wargaming the CSIS did a while ago, but this is a good explaination of how a winning (meaning US, Japan, Taiwan win) scenario worked. I've heard about the limited invasion beaches on Taiwan, but didn't realize they are in the south. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CcQ4jKn8aE Watched it last night. I'm bumping it to the next page.But first! Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese military aircraft, 5 naval ships around nation Return of the Aircraft! TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked seven Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Monday (April 8) and 6 a.m. on Tuesday (April 9). Of the seven People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, two crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, one Chinese drone flew into the southwest corner of the country's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), and one Chinese helicopter was detected in the southeast ADIZ, according to the MND. So far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 47 times and naval vessels 50 times. |
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