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Posted: 7/5/2024 10:24:11 AM EST
[Last Edit: CarmelBytheSea]
[#1]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Lieh-tzu: Dialogue while continuing to act provocatively. Same for border dispute with India https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/satellite-images-show-china-digging-in-close-to-pangong-101720291063173-amp.html |
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Posted: 7/5/2024 9:50:08 PM EST
[#2]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/ag600-all-you-need-to-know-about-chinas-new-large-amphibious-aircraft/amp_articleshow/111517867.cms https://amp.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3269274/chinas-new-large-amphibious-aircraft-goes-production-and-final-assembly Now, I have to figure out something esle to say  |
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Posted: 7/5/2024 9:54:02 PM EST
[#3]
Score Card Time!!
Taiwan tracks 36 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval vessels around nation TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 36 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday (July 4) and 6 a.m. on Friday (July 5). Of the 36 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 35 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northern, southwestern, and southeastern portions of the country's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.  Attached FileThat little "dangling participle" in the South West corner in towards the direction of the Philippines So far this month, the MND has tracked Chinese military aircraft 101 times and naval ships 26 times. |
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Posted: 7/5/2024 10:04:43 PM EST
[#4]
Photoshop Phriday!!!! Way back when www.somethingawful.com (the Internet makes you stupid) was at its high-point, Fridays were great days, Bros. Everyweek was a different topic. This week's shown was drawings school kids would make:
 Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached FileBut, here's a little of Propaganda Friday!! |
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Posted: 7/5/2024 10:10:30 PM EST
[#5]
Taipei's Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to scrap honor guard
This could be a "sop" to the PRC in lessening the pomp and circumstance around Chiang Kai-shek, or it could be a slap at the face of the current KMT party. TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Chiang Kai-shek ( ) Memorial Hall in Taipei will soon no longer have an honor guard standing at attention underneath its large statue of the former dictator. CNA reported on Friday that sources familiar with the matter said the honor guard will soon be removed and will relocate to Democracy Boulevard, the area directly in front of the memorial hall. The change is being made as part of Taiwan's ongoing transitional justice efforts that seek to redress past human rights abuses. No timeframe has been set for the change, but the Ministry of National Defense has reportedly agreed with the Ministry of Culture's suggestion to move the troops outside the hall. Officially named the Republic of China Honor Guard, the brigade is made up of troops from the defense ministry's land, air, and sea forces, while Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is managed by the culture ministry. Historians have estimated that Chiang was responsible for the deaths of 1.5 million innocent people during his time as the leader of the Republic of China (ROC), both in China and in Taiwan. He oversaw a period of martial law in Taiwan that lasted for nearly 40 years and resulted in the disappearance, imprisonment, and death of tens of thousands of Taiwanese. Many statues commemorating the former leader have been removed from Taiwan's schools and public squares in recent years. Many have ended up in the Cihu Memorial Sculpture Park, near Chiang's resting place, instead of being destroyed. Foreign firms in China mull Taiwanese staff relocation over death penalty concerns TAIPEI (Taiwan News) Foreign companies are weighing moving their Taiwanese employees out of China after Beijing said it could impose the death penalty for "Taiwan independence die-hards," Reuters reported on Thursday (July 4). Four sources told Reuters that these measures have prompted some Taiwanese businesspeople and multinational firms operating in China to rush to evaluate the legal repercussions. James Zimmerman, a partner at the Beijing office of the law firm Perkins Coie, said several companies have approached them to assess the risks to their employees. Zimmerman for confidentiality reasons declined to disclose the names of the companies or industries. Zimmerman said the companies are concerned that the ambiguous language of the new rules could result in legal gray areas "such as whether a benign social media post or voting for a particular political party or candidate in Taiwan elections could be interpreted as engaging in pro-independence activities." According to Taiwan government statistics, as of 2022, nearly 177,000 Taiwanese are working in China. Many foreign multinationals operating in China hire Taiwanese because of their advantages such as language and cultural familiarity. Many more Taiwanese work for the numerous Taiwanese companies operating in China. According to Taiwanese government estimates, these companies have invested over US$200 billion (NT$6.49 trillion) in China since 1991. Sung Wen-Ti ( ), a fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub, said these rules would compel foreign firms either to completely withdraw their operations to retain Taiwanese talent or to cease hiring Taiwanese talent. Sung said the result could be "even fewer Taiwanese will be working or living in China, thereby making Beijing's attempts to win over their hearts and minds even harder." |
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Posted: 7/5/2024 10:16:38 PM EST
[#6]
A lot of the stories were post here have the Chinese Coast Guard in them. Here's a long article about them from everyone's favorite, the South China Morning Post. It's obviously "pro", but the the description of the CCG is what's important:
Explainer | China Coast Guard: what does it do and how did it become so powerful? It's along article, I'm going to post a chunk from the middle, but it's worth reading when you have time: It has only taken around a decade for the CCG to evolve into a powerful instrument of China's maritime strategy. With a fleet of some of the biggest and most heavily armed coastguard vessels in the world, the CCG's capabilities now far exceed those of many other nations. "By doubling its number of large patrol ships in the last decade and combining several organisations to form the CCG, China has assembled more than 500 surface vessels into the world's largest coastguard fleet," John Bradford, executive director of the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies, said. The CCG was formed in 2013 from four maritime administrative agencies in a major overhaul of China's maritime enforcement agency. Until then, maritime management was largely inefficient and in disarray described as "five dragons stirring up the sea". Consolidating them allowed Beijing to pursue a more cohesive maritime law enforcement strategy. In 2018, the CCG was transferred from the civilian State Oceanic Administration to the People's Armed Police, which reports to China's Central Military Commission. Often referred to as "China's Second Navy", the CCG is seen as a quasi-military force and consists of the North, East and South China Sea sub-bureaus. How was the China Coast Guard formed? The CCG was formed in 2013 from four maritime administrative agencies in a major overhaul of China's maritime enforcement agency. Until then, maritime management was largely inefficient and in disarray described as "five dragons stirring up the sea". Consolidating them allowed Beijing to pursue a more cohesive maritime law enforcement strategy. In 2018, the CCG was transferred from the civilian State Oceanic Administration to the People's Armed Police, which reports to China's Central Military Commission. Often referred to as "China's Second Navy", the CCG is seen as a quasi-military force and consists of the North, East and South China Sea sub-bureaus. |
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Posted: 7/5/2024 10:41:16 PM EST
[#7]
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Posted: 7/5/2024 11:58:05 PM EST
[#8]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: Submitted for propaganda Friday https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202407/1315506.shtml Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: Submitted for propaganda Friday https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202407/1315506.shtml Vanuatu, Solomon Islands PMs' visits to China expected to boost cooperation When we started this thread, the Chinese were working on the Stadium in the Solomon Islands for the Pacific Games. Many might recall the complaints that there was no work done on roads other items that would help everyday Islanders. That's why Sogavare decided to let someone else be Prime Minister for the recent election. Afterall, he's still getting his check from the Chinese, so whatever. Oh, and the Global Times is CCP all the way: China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday that the prime ministers of the Republic of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands will pay official visits to China. Chinese experts anticipate that the visits will further strengthen the relations between China and the Pacific island countries to a higher level, as there is still great potential for further cooperation. At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, Prime Minister Charlot Salwai of the Republic of Vanuatu will pay an official visit to China from July 7 to 12, and Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of Solomon Islands will pay an official visit to China from July 9 to 15, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday. Here's my favorite paragraph: China and Vanuatu have also maintained mutually beneficial cooperation in recent years. No matter how Western countries try to discredit China's cooperation with Pacific island countries, ultimately the people of these countries have the greatest say in the matter, according to Chen. Besides the stadium in the Solomon Islands, here's a list of completetd infrastructure projects done by the Chinese: Click To View SpoilerThe other thing I find interesting is the lay out of the story. One paragraph will be about Vanatu, the next about the Solomon Islands, then back to Vanatu etc., as if it's all one big happy family which it isn't. Vanatu has top billing in this story while the Solomon Islands, who were first to join the Chinese, are now in second place. Here's one of the best written blow jobs, you guys will ever experience: Mao said that this will be the first official visit by Prime Minister Manele to China since he took office in May. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations five years ago, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, China and Solomon Islands have achieved rapid growth in bilateral ties. The two sides have firmly supported each other on issues concerning our respective core interests and major concerns. The exchanges and cooperation in various sectors between the two sides have delivered fruitful results. Prime Minister Manele's visit to China is a great opportunity for the two sides to work together to further strengthen strategic communication, expand practical cooperation, and advance our bilateral ties, the spokesperson noted. The cooperation between China and Solomon Islands has yielded fruitful and practical results in the past five years, as the cooperation in the joint ventures, investment programs, and trade activities have greatly benefited the economic growth of the island country, Chen Hong, a professor and executive director of the Asia Pacific Studies Centre at East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Friday. China-Solomon Islands ties have set an example for South-South cooperation, said Chen. China has been providing significant support for the development and improvement of infrastructure in the Solomon Islands, particularly in the areas of transport and logistics, the expert said. |
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Posted: 7/7/2024 12:47:58 AM EST
[#9]
Score Cards are finally coming in!!
China sends 30 military aircraft, 9 naval ships around Taiwan TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 30 Chinese military aircraft and nine naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Friday (July 5) and 6 a.m. Saturday (July 6). Of the 30 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 23 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the northern, southwestern, and southeastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. The aircraft came as close as 72 km (39 NM) from Eluanbi in the south and 77 km (42 NM) from Keelung in the north.  Attached FileGetting closer to encircling the Island!!! We all know they (the PLAAF) could do it now, but for some reason there must be this dramatic build up. It's not like Joe Biden is paying attention to it. Taiwan tracks 15 Chinese military aircraft, 10 naval ships around nation TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 15 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Saturday (July 6) and 6 a.m. on Sunday (July 7). Of the 15 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 14 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northern, central, southwestern, and southeastern portion of the country's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.  Attached FileYou'll notice a very similar pattern as above (the day before), but again, there's that tail in the direction of the Philippines. So far this month, the MND has tracked Chinese military aircraft 146 times and naval ships 45 times. |
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Posted: 7/7/2024 12:54:48 AM EST
[#10]
Continuing our latest series on "the Taiwanese home grown weapon systems because the US is years behind in send the weapon systems it said it would,"
check this out! Budget for Taiwan's next 7 submarines to wait until Narwhal tests completed TAIPEI (Taiwan News) Budgets for seven new submarines will only be activated after tests are completed for the country's first indigenous submarine, Defense Minister Wellington Koo ( ) said Saturday (July 6). Harbor acceptance tests (HAT) for the vessel, known as the "Narwhal," were still proceeding, and needed to be followed by sea acceptance tests (SAT), according to the minister. Only when all those tests were completed, could the budgets for the next submarines be accessed, per CNA. Media reports said President Lai Ching-te ( ) had approved NT$284 billion (US$8.76 billion) to be spent during the next 15 years beginning in 2025. The submarines would be built in three phases, with three vessels in the first phase followed by two each during the next two periods.  Meeting reporters on Saturday, Koo said that whatever plans had been drawn up, the harbor and sea tests on the first made-in-Taiwan submarine needed to be completed before budgets for later vessels could be used. The Narwhal, built by CSBC Corporation, Taiwan, is scheduled to be commissioned into the Navy in November 2025 if all tests are completed. |
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Posted: 7/7/2024 1:33:21 AM EST
[#11]
Again to reiterate, we have two sides of the same coin here. One says says the PRC is taking Taiwan first, the other side (me) says the Philippines is first.
I've given the reasons why the PRC should, and from what I can remember (!) it was raw materials and natural resources, women, and holding the Western archipelago would close off the South China Seas off to the West. I also wrote about how the PRC isn't working towards breaking up Taiwanese civil society. Comparing to what the PRC does to the US, there's a great deal of spying, drug and gun smuggling, thousands of Chinese illegals coming in, the Chinese probably control the buld of illegal marijuana grows, and probably the same with the legal ones. The MSS is involved in a number of civil distrubances through funding, plus, everybody's favorite, illegal underground infectious disease laboratories. Taiwan is now catching up...very slowly: 39 Chinese espionage prosecutions reported in Taiwan TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The head of the country's top intelligence agency told lawmakers on June 12 that Chinese espionage activities in Taiwan are increasing. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Puma Shen ( ) recently raised the presence of a fifth column in Taiwan, sparking widespread discussion. National Security Bureau (NSB) Director-General Tsai Ming-yen ( ) said on June 12 that the fifth column is not a legal concept and that national security agencies handle espionage cases based on legal standards, but conceded the number of spying cases under investigation has increased, per CNA. In an interview with the Liberty Times, Shen suggested that Taiwan should establish a combat center to deal with the Chinese fifth column and manage high-risk groups domestically. During a Legislative Yuan Foreign and National Defense Committee meeting, Kuomintang Legislator Kin Cyang ( ) explained that the fifth column refers to groups that sabotage from within, cooperating with the enemy to undermine national unity. He then asked Tsai to estimate the fifth column members in Taiwan. Tsai said 81 espionage cases have been investigated from last year to now, with 39 cases prosecuted. Tsai said this increase in cases indicates that Chinese espionage activities within Taiwan appear to be intensifying. Tsai emphasized that the term fifth column is used in academic or policy discussions rather than as a legal concept. He said the NSB handles espionage cases on a legal basis, but appreciates the concern from legislators and the public about espionage and infiltration activities, as it raises national security awareness. Tsai mentioned that media reports from 10 years ago about the number of fifth-column members in Taiwan were discussing Chinese individuals who overstayed or went missing in Taiwan, with figures potentially in the thousands. However, due to the pandemic and slowed cross-strait exchanges, the latest statistics confirmed with the National Immigration Agency show that as of the end of April, 1,388 Chinese are overstaying and missing in Taiwan. Taiwan People's Party Legislator Chang Chi-kai ( ) also raised concerns, questioning whether a "combat center" should be established to monitor high-risk groups domestically. Tsai replied that he respects any discussion or suggestion by legislators to strengthen national security. Chang replied that this issue has caused widespread panic among the public, and questioned whether Tsai truly respects this concern. Tsai reiterated that all views on strengthening national security mechanisms are respected in a society with freedom of speech. Each legislator has his own opinion, but the NSB is making every effort to investigate and prevent national security violations, said Tsai. Still, Taiwan is missing a lot of gang activity and street crime. Essentially, think of all that's wrong here because of the Democratic party. Those are the precursors anybody with a brain would instigate in a target country before invasion: War is a matter of Will. Break that Will through demoralization of the population. The Nazis did it through out Europe before they invaded the targeted countries after Poland. How so? The word "blitzkrieg" for example was a propaganda term rather than one of Military Art. (The Germans always thought in terms of Bewegungskrieg as did the French to a point. Both were stunned when they ended up in the quagmire that was WWI.) German spies and 5th columnists always entered the targeted country first to soften it up from the inside. It's what one does when one wants to win! Things are definitely changing, and they're not changing in a way benefiting us. It's bad, Gentlemen. Taiwan soldier caught allegedly smuggling goods to China TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Taiwan Coast Guard arrested five people suspected of smuggling consumer goods from the outlying island of Kinmen to China's shores on Saturday (July 6), one of whom is an active duty soldier in Taiwan's Army. The Kinmen Defense Command confirmed that a non-commissioned officer is suspected of borrowing a fishing boat to carry out a smuggling operation, per CNA. The group was found with electronics products, shoes, skincare products, and alcohol on the boat. The suspects were apprehended at around midnight on Saturday and were allegedly on their way to sell the goods when caught. The Kinmen Islands lie about five kilometers away from the Chinese city of Xiamen at their closest point.  Attached FileTo the West of Kinmen is the Fujian province which I described as a province that's probably bigger in Crime than Shanghai. The first immigrants from the PRC starting in 1980 came from this province. They came in and promptly started import-export businesses. One of the targets was the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA.) The DLA gets rid of all kinds of items: books, manuals, parts for trucks and planes and whatever else have you. They do it by auction. You bid on a lot filled with all kinds of indiscriminate items. They would then export these to China. Pretty Cool!! These people are not stupid. Kinmen Army officials said that they would fully cooperate with the investigation, and would severely punish those found to be acting outside the law. The Army will continue to strengthen education to "establish the concept of adherence to the law among officers and soldiers," officials said. The case is being handled by Kinmen prosecutors who declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation. |
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Posted: 7/7/2024 1:35:14 AM EST
[#12]
Texas governor visits Taiwan on economic development mission
Well, we covered Newsom going to the PRC! TAIPEI (Taiwan News) Texas Governor Greg Abbott departed with a delegation on Friday (July 5) for a week-long visit to Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan to recruit chipmakers to Texas. Abott's first stop was Taiwan, Texas's seventh-largest trading partner. His delegation highlighted the role Texas plays in global commerce with throughput of the Port of Houston ranking first in the U.S., and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport's (DFW) ranking third in passenger volume and an important cargo transshipment center for the U.S., Mexico, and Central and South America, per ETtoday. Abbott and his delegation will meet with business leaders and politicians critical to the future development of the global economy. Before his departure, he said Texas was leading the way, promoting freedom and opportunity through cooperation and two-way economic development to give the next generation more possibilities. Abbott believes Texas is the key to the United States and hopes to promote emerging industries by providing a platform, especially in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. Abbott says he looks forward to meeting business and political leaders from Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan to strengthen partnerships and build innovative economies. Abbott's delegation includes his wife, Cecilia Abbott, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson, five Texas legislators, and 23 Texas business representatives, per a press release from Abbott's office. "Texas offers businesses in critical and emerging industries, such as semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, across the country and around the world the tools and the opportunities to grow and thrive. I look forward to meeting with business and government leaders in Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan to strengthen our economic and cultural partnerships as we work together to forge the future of innovation," Abbott said in the press release. Since taking office in 2015, Governor Abbott has led business development delegations to Cuba, France, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. In 2023 and 2024, Abbott signed economic development agreements between Texas and France and Texas and the U.K. to promote trade, encourage innovation, and attract more foreign direct investment to Texas. This is Abbott's first visit to Taiwan and South Korea and his third visit to Japan. |
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Posted: 7/7/2024 11:38:56 AM EST
[Last Edit: Stillnothere]
[#13]
Didn't see if this was mentioned. If it's a dupe I apologize.
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-anchors-monster-ship-in-south-china-sea-philippine-coast-guard-says-2024-07-06/#:~:text=MANILA%2C%20July%206%20 The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Saturday that China's largest coastguard vessel has anchored in Manila's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, and is meant to intimidate its smaller Asian neighbour. The China coastguard's 165-meter 'monster ship' entered Manila's 200-nautical mile EEZ on July 2, spokesperson for the PCG Jay Tarriela told a news forum. The PCG warned the Chinese vessel it was in the Philippine's EEZ and asked about their intentions, he said. "It's an intimidation on the part of the China Coast Guard," Tarriela said. "We're not going to pull out and we're not going to be intimidated." China's embassy in Manila and the Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China's coast guard has no publicly available contact information. The Chinese ship, which has also deployed a small boat, was anchored 800 yards away from the PCG's vessel, Tarriela said. |
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Posted: 7/7/2024 2:10:14 PM EST
[#14]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Stillnothere: Didn't see if this was mentioned. If it's a dupe I apologize. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-anchors-monster-ship-in-south-china-sea-philippine-coast-guard-says-2024-07-06/#:~:text=MANILA%2C%20July%206%20 The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Saturday that China's largest coastguard vessel has anchored in Manila's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, and is meant to intimidate its smaller Asian neighbour. The China coastguard's 165-meter 'monster ship' entered Manila's 200-nautical mile EEZ on July 2, spokesperson for the PCG Jay Tarriela told a news forum. The PCG warned the Chinese vessel it was in the Philippine's EEZ and asked about their intentions, he said. "It's an intimidation on the part of the China Coast Guard," Tarriela said. "We're not going to pull out and we're not going to be intimidated." China's embassy in Manila and the Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China's coast guard has no publicly available contact information. The Chinese ship, which has also deployed a small boat, was anchored 800 yards away from the PCG's vessel, Tarriela said. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Stillnothere: Didn't see if this was mentioned. If it's a dupe I apologize. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-anchors-monster-ship-in-south-china-sea-philippine-coast-guard-says-2024-07-06/#:~:text=MANILA%2C%20July%206%20 The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Saturday that China's largest coastguard vessel has anchored in Manila's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, and is meant to intimidate its smaller Asian neighbour. The China coastguard's 165-meter 'monster ship' entered Manila's 200-nautical mile EEZ on July 2, spokesperson for the PCG Jay Tarriela told a news forum. The PCG warned the Chinese vessel it was in the Philippine's EEZ and asked about their intentions, he said. "It's an intimidation on the part of the China Coast Guard," Tarriela said. "We're not going to pull out and we're not going to be intimidated." China's embassy in Manila and the Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China's coast guard has no publicly available contact information. The Chinese ship, which has also deployed a small boat, was anchored 800 yards away from the PCG's vessel, Tarriela said.  To be sure, Carmel did add a report on some ships entering the area. They were landing ships; the type that beach themselves. Your addition is adding information we didn't have before. Your additional information hints this: In May, the PCG deployed a ship to the Sabina shoal to deter small-scale reclamation by China, which denied the claim. China has carried out extensive land reclamation on some islands in the South China Sea, building air force and other military facilities, causing concern in Washington and around the region |
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Posted: 7/7/2024 7:00:11 PM EST
[#15]
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Posted: 7/8/2024 10:08:46 AM EST
[#16]
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Posted: 7/8/2024 10:34:15 AM EST
[#17]
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Posted: 7/8/2024 2:09:00 PM EST
[#18]
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Posted: 7/8/2024 8:26:48 PM EST
[#19]
Score Card!!!
Taiwan tracks 14 Chinese military aircraft, 7 naval ships around nation TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 14 Chinese military and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday (July 7) and 6 a.m. on Monday (July 8). Of the 14 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 13 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northern, central, southwestern, and southeastern portions of the country's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.  Attached FileSo far this month, the MND has tracked Chinese military aircraft 160 times and naval ships 52 times. In our continuiing coverage of indigenious weapon developments in Taiwan, we have this: Taiwan to mass produce new kamikaze drones in 2025 TAIPEI (Taiwan News) As the number of kamikaze drones procured from the U.S. has been deemed to be inadequate to defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) has allocated funds to mass produce domestically designed loitering munitions. The U.S. State Department on June 18 announced that it had approved the sale of 720 Switchblade 300 Anti-Personnel and Anti-Armor Loitering Missile Systems and 291 ALTIUS 600M-V Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to Taiwan. However, according to a military source, with the increasing Chinese military threat an internal assessment concluded that the number of various attack drones provided by the U.S. is still insufficient for Taiwan's defense needs, reported Liberty Times. Therefore, Taiwan will also start the mass production of domestically-made attack drones. The Type-1 and Type-2 kamikaze drones are expected to be included in the MND's 2025 budget. In addition, the mass production plan for Chien Hsiang anti-radiation drones, listed under a special budget for improving sea and air combat capabilities, will be completed in 2025. The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) is also reportedly working on performance improvements for the Chien Hsiang series. The upgraded versions are expected to be produced in small batches and included in the regular annual budget. According to the source, the Chien Hsiang drones can target and attack enemy radar stations and shipborne radars, while the Type-1 and Type-2 drones will mainly be used by troops for anti-armor missions. The Type-1, developed by NCSIST, is designed for individual soldiers, similar in specifications to the Switchblade 300, featuring quick deployment and easy operation. According to NCSIST data, the Type-1 has a flight time of about 15 minutes and a guided control range exceeding 10 km. The Type-2 has a longer flight time than Type-1. The Type-2 can conduct beyond-visual-range reconnaissance and strikes using imagery, infrared, and microwave systems for targeting. The system offers flexible and mobile launch methods, including multi-launch devices for swarm attacks that can be mounted on ships or vehicles. It's not the first time the US has asked Taiwan to purchase more when they haven't even received what has been promised. Why? |
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Posted: 7/8/2024 8:48:11 PM EST
[#20]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202407/1315578.shtml Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202407/1315578.shtml  If you're a Yankee Imperialist Running Dog like me, you'll love this story too!!!! Title: China to host high-level visits from two Pacific Island countries, Bangladesh Now...you're informed! Lets get to that sweet, sweet, sweet propaganda language!!!!!!!!!!!! Paints an illusion that something similar to the beginning of the year, but if you remember the beginning of the year, the PRC and CCP were tied up with the Taiwanese Presidential Election. Then the PRC and the CCP had their various legislative conferences which we dutifully covered. At the very beginning of second half of the year of 2024, China is set to host another round of whirlwind diplomacy with visits including leaders from Pacific Island countries (PICs) Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, and South Asian country of Bangladesh. Observers from both home and abroad hailed the intensive visits as a proof of fruitful achievements stemming from win-win cooperation between China and Global South, defying Western attacks. The upcoming visits and high-level talks will further tap into the potential for deeper cooperation. Now it's parallel construction time to build up the momentous conclusion: The visits by leaders from two PICs and a South Asian country will demonstrate to the West the reality of mutual respect, understanding and support, in sharp contrast to the West's obsolete Cold War mentality as well as its camp confrontation way of thinking, Li Haidong, a professor from the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Sunday. The diplomatic engagements also serve as a strong rebuttal to the bullying tactics employed by the West in an attempt to smear or hinder the development efforts of emerging economies, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Sunday. It's those pesky socialist Australians again! Everytime, man, everytime! Groundless accusation The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) ran a report on July 1, citing the new Pacific Islands Forum secretary general and former Nauru president Baron Waqa by saying that it will be "hard" for the region to deal with China if Beijing behaves aggressively, or disregards the sovereignty of smaller island countries. The report accused that China is pressing three countries in the region remaining so-called allies of the island of Taiwan to switch to recognition to China and quoted the new Pacific Island top diplomat who said that the right of sovereignty should be protected. Qian refuted the groundless accusation and said that China's development cooperation with these countries is based on the principle of peaceful coexistence. Regardless of the counterpart's strength, China treats all equally. Political elites and various sectors of these countries understand China's principles and red lines, specifically that there is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. Therefore, their decision to distance themselves from or sever ties with Taiwan is natural and not due to Chinese pressure. Those who smear cannot find any examples of China demanding "aid in exchange for diplomatic recognition," Qian said. The idea of choosing between China and Taiwan island is a false proposition, said some experts. recognizing Taiwan authorities is essentially recognizing a rebel regime, which China absolutely cannot accept or tolerate. The Taiwan question is not a transactional matter, Chen Hong, executive director at the Asia Pacific Studies Centre of East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Sunday. The rest of it is like that. All three political leaders will be handed a menu of items and what is expected in return. Choose carefully, Gentlemen. Just ask Sri Lanka. |
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Posted: 7/8/2024 9:05:27 PM EST
[Last Edit: zoinks]
[#21]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/07/03/japan/politics/defense-ministry-pacific-islands/#:~:text=The%20Defense%20Ministry%20is%20strengthening,expansion%20in%20the%20South%20Pacific Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/07/03/japan/politics/defense-ministry-pacific-islands/#:~:text=The%20Defense%20Ministry%20is%20strengthening,expansion%20in%20the%20South%20Pacific Title: Japan Defense Ministry boosting aid to Pacific island nations The Defense Ministry is strengthening its security-related capacity-building support to Pacific island countries in a bid to help them keep China in check, which is stepping up military expansion in the South Pacific. This year, the ministry started to expand the scope of the aid, which includes personnel development and technical cooperation, to include support for the police and other security authorities in countries that do not have military forces. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to announce the nation's plans to deepen its security and defense cooperation with such island countries at the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, to be held in Tokyo from July 16 to 18. "They are important in light of maintaining and strengthening an open international order based on the rule of law," Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told a news conference Tuesday, referring to island countries in the South Pacific. Late last month, the ministry conducted a Ship Rider Cooperation Program, in which military and police officials from island countries traveled from the U.S. territory of Guam to Japan aboard the Izumo destroyer of the Maritime Self-Defense Force. During the voyage, the foreign officials took a seminar on maritime law and inspected drills on the vessel. After arriving in Japan, they attended training sessions on disaster response and women's empowerment at the Defense Ministry.  Not enough info to draw a probable conclusion for that one. There's always the possbility of the "feel good move", and by that I mean the Japanese Self-Defense Force won't be needing "comfort women" any time soon. China is boosting its presence in the area, such as by concluding a security pact with the Solomon Islands in 2022 and establishing diplomatic relations in January this year with Nauru, which cut ties with Taiwan at the same time. If China secures a stronghold in a South Pacific island nation, that would leave Japan exposed to Chinese threats from its southern side. The Self-Defense Forces' existing surveillance radars primarily monitor the western side facing mainland Asia, including China and Russia, so possible new threats from the south would "change the premise of (Japan's) national defense," a senior Defense Ministry official warned. Pacific island countries have small militaries and police forces, and often pursue a "balanced diplomacy" to avoid getting involved in standoffs between major powers. Still, the Defense Ministry is making efforts to strengthen ties with South Pacific nations, having hosted the first-ever in-person meeting of their defense ministers in March in Tokyo, among other things. It plans to promote interaction between high-level officials and goodwill dispatches of vessels and aircraft, as well as accept people from Pacific island nations for study at the National Defense Academy. "Continuous engagement is important," a government official said. |
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USA
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Posted: 7/8/2024 9:19:08 PM EST
[#22]
Quote HistoryThe article below that one of the chinese attacking Philippine ships is nuts. I might need to get my wifes kid moved from Manilia to the US soon. |
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Posted: 7/8/2024 9:19:12 PM EST
[#23]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: https://apnews.com/article/japan-philippines-reciprocal-access-agreement-0e37d57563d475d7507f1647b440e4c2 Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: https://apnews.com/article/japan-philippines-reciprocal-access-agreement-0e37d57563d475d7507f1647b440e4c2 Japan and the Philippines sign a defense pact in the face of shared alarm over China MANILA, Philippines (AP) Japan and the Philippines signed a key defense pact Monday allowing the deployment of Japanese forces for joint drills in the Southeast Asian nation that came under brutal Japanese occupation in World War II but is now building an alliance with Tokyo as both face an increasingly assertive China. The Reciprocal Access Agreement, which similarly allows Filipino forces to enter Japan for joint combat training, was signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa in a Manila ceremony witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. It would take effect after ratification by the countries' legislatures, Philippine and Japanese officials said. Kamikawa called the signing "a groundbreaking achievement" that should further boost defense cooperation between the countries. The Japanese and Philippine officials "expressed serious concern over the dangerous and escalatory actions by China" in Second Thomas Shoal, the scene of a recent confrontation between Chinese and Philippine forces in the South China Sea. The busy sea passage is a key global trade route which has been claimed virtually in its entirety by China but also contested in part by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. The United States has also been strengthening an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific to better counter China, including in any future confrontation over Taiwan, and reassure its Asian allies. Japan and the Philippines are treaty allies of the U.S. and their leaders held three-way talks in April at the White House, where President Joe Biden renewed Washington's "ironclad" commitment to defend Japan and the Philippines. Japan has had a longstanding territorial dispute with China over islands in the East China Sea. Chinese and Philippine coast guard and navy ships, meanwhile, have been involved in a series of tense confrontations in the South China Sea since last year. In the worst confrontation so far, Chinese coast guard personnel armed with knives, spears and an ax aboard motorboats repeatedly rammed and destroyed two Philippine navy supply vessels on June 17 in a chaotic faceoff at disputed Second Thomas Shoal that injured several Filipino sailors. Chinese coast guard personnel seized seven navy rifles. The Japanese and Philippine officials said China's actions at the shoal "obstructed freedom of navigation and disrupted supply lines, thus, increasing tensions." |
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Posted: 7/8/2024 9:27:47 PM EST
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: China no like https://amp.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3269644/china-tells-japan-reflect-its-history-aggression-after-signing-philippine-defence-pact Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: China no like https://amp.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3269644/china-tells-japan-reflect-its-history-aggression-after-signing-philippine-defence-pact Title: China tells Japan to 'reflect on history' after Philippine defence pact signing Japan and the Philippines signed a key defence pact on Monday allowing the deployment of Japanese forces for joint military exercises, including live-fire drills, to the Southeast Asian nation that came under brutal Japanese occupation in World War II but is now building an alliance with Tokyo as they face an increasingly assertive China. The Reciprocal Access Agreement, similarly allows Filipino forces to enter Japan for joint combat training, was signed by Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa in a Manila ceremony witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr It would take effect after ratification by the countries' legislatures, Philippine and Japanese officials said. The defence pact with the Philippines is the first to be forged by Japan in Asia. Japan signed similar accords with Australia in 2022 and with Britain last year. And that's it! A mouth piece for the CCP was not given anything more than "reflect on history." They didn't bother running any quotes. How do you do that when the Chinese Coast Guard is injuring philippino sailors on a consistent basis? |
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Posted: 7/9/2024 2:45:46 AM EST
[#25]
A lot going on for this thread this month
https://amp.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/09/pacific-islands-security-deals-australia-usa-china |
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Posted: 7/9/2024 3:00:35 AM EST
[#26]
Forgot to post this https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20240705-196793/
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Posted: 7/9/2024 10:46:36 PM EST
[#27]
Score Card!!
Taiwan tracks 35 Chinese military aircraft, 8 naval ships around nation TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 35 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Tuesday (July 9) and 6 a.m. on Wednesday (July 10). Of the 35 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 26 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northern, southwestern, and southeastern portions of the country's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.  Attached FileIn this Flight Tracker in the South West corner, there's a little shunt there to the right. That's roughly the direction of Okinawa. So far this month, the MND has tracked Chinese military aircraft 210 times and naval ships 69 times. |
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Posted: 7/9/2024 11:18:30 PM EST
[#28]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: Forgot to post this https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20240705-196793/ Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: Forgot to post this https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20240705-196793/ Anyway! This story is cool. The PRC is setting up an entire Tsunami Warning System with a single Bouy in the Japanese Exclusive Economic Zone and no where near the subduction zone of the Philippine plate and to the West of the Philippine Trench. A single Bouy, Gentlemen. That's go to be one hell of a bouy!!! Seriously one hell of a bouy!!!  Title: China Installs Buoy on Japan's Continental Shelf in Shikoku Basin Region; Government to Examine Purpose of Unusual Move in Pacific Ocean  Attached FileWow! Look at that! A bouy where the water is deep. Plus it looks like there are two bouys separted by hundreds upon hundreds of miles, and in deeper water. It's for submarine detection. I know. I ruined it for everyone. I'm an icehole. A Chinese government vessel in June installed a buoy on Japan's continental shelf in the Shikoku Basin region, north of Japan's southernmost Okinotorishima Island, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned. While China has previously installed buoys in the East China Sea including an area near the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, it is quite unusual for the country to install a buoy in the waters under the jurisdiction of Japan on the Pacific Ocean. The government is examining the purpose and other details of the buoy. The Xiangyanghong 22, a large Chinese working ship, in July 2023 installed an ocean survey buoy with a diameter of about 10 meters in Japan's exclusive economic zone about 80 kilometers northwest of the Senkaku's Uotsuri Island without permission. It is believed that wave and other data collected by the buoy is transmitted to China using satellites. The government has demanded the immediate removal of the buoy at summit meetings and foreign ministerial meetings between Japan and China, among other occasions, but China has not responded to the requests. According to multiple government sources, Xiangyanghong 22 left Shanghai on June 5 this year and arrived in the Pacific Ocean via the Osumi Strait off the coast of Kagoshima Prefecture. It then installed the buoy in the Shikoku Basin region in mid-June. The buoy is reportedly smaller than the one installed in July 2023 and is equipped with a light emitting device that can be seen from ships traveling nearby at night. Here's the legalese part: The Shikoku Basin region is surrounded by Japan's EEZ and covers an area almost equivalent to half the size of Japan, which is 378,000 square kilometers. Since there are no islands in or around the region, it is supposed to be outside the EEZ. However, the U.N. Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) recognized the Shikoku Basin region as Japan's continental shelf in 2012, with Okinotorishima Island as its base point. Under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, Japan exercises sovereign rights over the continental shelf for the purpose of exploring the sea bed and exploiting its natural resources. Unlike EEZs, oceanographic surveys conducted in waters above continental selves do not require approval of coastal states. However, mineral resources including rare metals are said to be distributed in the seabed of the region, and if the recently installed buoy is related to the exploration of the seabed and other such activities, it is highly likely that it violates the U.N. convention. On the other hand, China claims that Okinotorishima is not an island but a rock and that neither an EEZ nor a continental shelf can be established based on it. China has repeatedly conducted oceanographic surveys and military exercises in the western Pacific including areas near the island. Since it could install buoys in Japan's EEZ in the Pacific Ocean side in the future, just like in the East China Sea, the government is stepping up vigilance and surveillance activities. Some of you may recall when we covered a bit of history regarding the PRC's staunch support of EEZs when they were supporting Allende in Chile. Meh, not so much now. "It is regretful that China installed the buoy without explaining its purpose, plan and other details," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a press conference Friday. Hayashi also said that Tokyo has asked Beijing to provide a transparent explanation about it. According to him, China has explained that the buoy is designed to observe tsunami and is not intended to violate Japan's rights over the continental shelf. What is a Tsunami? Just a samplel quote: Though a tsunami in open ocean rarely reaches higher than a few feet (1+ meter) it is a very deep wave packing lots of power, making it significantly different from surface disturbances, like true ripples or wind-generated waves. It also differs in length from regular surface waves. A tsunami crest can be 620 miles long (1000 kilometers), but because the amplitude or height is minimal it usually cannot be detected in open ocean, even if passes beneath your boat! As it propagates outwards it can travel as fast as a passenger jet at 450 - 600 mph (724 - 965 kph) racing towards shores hundreds or even thousands of miles away. Here's another one: A coalition of more than two dozen countries belongs to the International Coordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System (TWS). The group predicts where tsunamis will strike based on information gathered from tidal charts, seismic sensors, historical data, and oceanic buoys anchored to instruments that take pressure measurements at the sea floor. If TWS data indicates a tsunami might have been generated, potentially affected areas are immediately notified. Local authorities then order evacuations or other necessary measures. |
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Posted: 7/10/2024 12:40:37 AM EST
[#29]
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Posted: 7/10/2024 8:19:13 AM EST
[#30]
Pew released this yesterday https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2024/07/09/views-of-china-and-xi-jinping/
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Posted: 7/10/2024 10:28:05 PM EST
[#31]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: Pew released this yesterday https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2024/07/09/views-of-china-and-xi-jinping/ https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/459941/IMG_5749-3262564.jpg Sounds like we need to dust off the monroe doctrine |
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Posted: 7/10/2024 11:33:15 PM EST
[#32]
The newest Carrier of the PLAN has been out of exercises:
Taiwan tracks 66 Chinese military aircraft, 7 naval ships around nation TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 66 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Wednesday (July 10) and 6 a.m. on Thursday (July 11). Of the 66 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 56 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northern, southwestern, and southeastern portions of the country's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. The MND on Wednesday morning said that 36 of the PLA aircraft had entered the Western Pacific to carry out exercises with the Shandong carrier strike group.  Attached FileSo far this month, the MND has tracked Chinese military aircraft 276 times and naval ships 76 times. And it looks like there's a story about it: Taiwan reports surge in Chinese air force activity after carrier passes by TAIPEI, July 11 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry on Thursday reported detecting a surge of Chinese military aircraft operating around the island, after a Chinese aircraft carrier passed by to the south of Taiwan on the way to drills in the Pacific. Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has complained of repeated Chinese military activity over the past four years as Beijing seeks to pressure the democratically-governed island. The Chinese carrier the Shandong passed close to the Philippines on its way to the Pacific exercises, Taiwan's defence minister said on Wednesday. In its daily update on Chinese military activity over the past 24 and released on Thursday morning, Taiwan's defence ministry said it had detected 66 Chinese military aircraft operating around the island. Of those, 39 passed to the south and southeast of Taiwan, the ministry said, having previously said it had detected 36 aircraft heading to the Western Pacific to carry out drills with the Chinese aircraft carrier the Shandong. China's defence ministry has not responded to requests for comment on the Shandong's activities. |
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Posted: 7/10/2024 11:39:21 PM EST
[#33]
I'm popping this story in the mix because traditionally when the Executive is away, Countries do get attacked:
Taiwan president prepares first overseas trip since inauguration TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is preparing several possible itineraries for an official overseas trip by President Lai Ching-te ( ), Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung ( ) said Wednesday (July 10). Visits to diplomatic allies were a common practice for a new president, Lin told reporters. Any overseas trip would be Lai's first since his inauguration on May 20. The foreign minister said no decisions had been made yet, but several different itineraries were under consideration, per UDN. The Presidential Office was in charge of announcing any related decisions, Lin said. As to the possibility of presidential stopovers in the United States, the minister said that as 2024 was an election year, Taiwan would evaluate and plan how to achieve its foreign policy aims without causing unnecessary reactions. Several of Taiwan's 12 official diplomatic allies were located in the Caribbean and Latin America, making stopovers in the U.S. more likely. Previous presidents would make stopovers in different U.S. cities during the flights to and from visits to allies. Continuing the series of Taiwan's indiginous weapons development, it seems that they're starting their own DARPA called the DUI: Taiwan harnesses mature technology for defence TAIPEI (Taiwan News) Defense Minister Wellington Koo ( ) said on Wednesday (July 10) that the Ministry of National Defense (MND) would prioritize mature technologies for its Defense Innovation Unit (DUI) and begin developing a new 6.8mm rifle while planning to roll out new optical sights this year. Speaking before the Foreign and National Defense Committee (FNDC), Koo said the DUI will focus on drone and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, drawing lessons from the wars in Ukraine and Israel-Gaza. The MND will also monitor advancements in laser or microwave weaponry, potentially expanding the DUI's scope, per Liberty Times. The MND has established three DUI working groups. Each separately focuses on, developing new combat methods, evaluating industry cooperation, and integrating civilian and military technologies. The MND said the next step is to form a team of industry experts and academics to advise and assess the DUI. During the FNDC visit to the Armaments Bureau's 205th Arsenal, legislators tested T112 rifles with 4x magnification optics. Taiwan People's Party Legislator Lin Yu-chun ( ) hit all targets, per CNA. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Ting-yu ( ) said Lin's accuracy proved the efficacy of magnified optics. He inquired about equipping all soldiers with them. General Staff Chen Chien-yi ( ) confirmed that the T112 uses an optical sight, offering superior performance to iron sights. However, the initial rollout will prioritize special forces and motorized units. Regarding the new 6.8mm rifle, Wang acknowledged while Taiwan still uses 5.56mm cartridges, U.S. and China are developing new 6.8mm cartridges. He explained the trade-off between carrying capacity and stopping power associated with the new caliber. |
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Posted: 7/11/2024 9:34:12 AM EST
[#34]
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Posted: 7/11/2024 9:40:22 AM EST
[#35]
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TX, USA
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Posted: 7/11/2024 3:14:44 PM EST
[#36]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2024/07/11/japan-warship-sails-into-chinas-waters-near-taiwan-despite-warnings.html The article's unclear. The Japanese destroyer breached the 12 mile limit under UNCLOS? (Are Japan and the PRC even signatories?) Though, if they did, considering the PRC practically camps out within the Senkoku's similar territorial waters, fuck the PRC if they can't take a joke. |
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Posted: 7/12/2024 1:03:39 AM EST
[#37]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Wineraner: The article's unclear. The Japanese destroyer breached the 12 mile limit under UNCLOS? (Are Japan and the PRC even signatories?) Though, if they did, considering the PRC practically camps out within the Senkoku's similar territorial waters, fuck the PRC if they can't take a joke. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Wineraner: Originally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2024/07/11/japan-warship-sails-into-chinas-waters-near-taiwan-despite-warnings.html The article's unclear. The Japanese destroyer breached the 12 mile limit under UNCLOS? (Are Japan and the PRC even signatories?) Though, if they did, considering the PRC practically camps out within the Senkoku's similar territorial waters, fuck the PRC if they can't take a joke. Best guess is that PRC territorial waters were sailed into; it was a 12-mile limit. However, the Japanese Destroyer also sailed near a "no sail" zone set by the PRC during the time period, earlier announced, as the area was set for a "live fire" exercise of some sort. The Captain of the Japanese Destroyer is now under investigation by the Japanese Defense Ministry. The article references another article here: Japan destroyer sailed into China territorial waters despite warnings I'd like to quote some words a wise pundit once shared: "...fuck the PRC if they can't take a joke." |
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Posted: 7/12/2024 1:14:38 AM EST
[#38]
Score Card!! A day after the Carrier Shandong (fuck it! already forgot the name!!)
Taiwan tracks 18 Chinese military aircraft, 8 naval ships around nation TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 18 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Thursday (July 11) and 6 a.m. on Friday (July 12). Of the 18 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 14 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northern, southwestern, and southeastern sectors of the country's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.  Attached FileIt looks like the PLAAF is showing three axis of attack at Taiwan!! Probably not!! It's more "noise in the system." So far this month, the MND has tracked Chinese military aircraft 294 times and naval ships 84 times. Here's a remarkable bill for the upcoming US Senate version of the Defense Authorization: US Senate bill requires arms stockpile for Taiwan TAIPEI (Taiwan News) The latest defense bill submitted by the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services requires the establishment of an arms stockpile for Taiwan. On Monday (July 8), the committee formally filed the US$919.9 billion (NT$29.92 trillion) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 to the full Senate for review. Provisions include supporting Taiwan's security, countering China, and requiring the Pentagon to establish an emergency weapons stockpile for Taiwan. The Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Democratic Senator Jack Reed, through a statement urged Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to bring the bill to a vote in the Senate as soon as possible. Reed said: "This bill shows there is bipartisan support for doing more to maintain deterrence and protect American interests." Authorization laws allow monies to be spent on specific tasks of the Law, but if there's no provision for this specific task in the Appropriations Law, monies can't be obligated or spent on that task. That's the normal procedure for Congress. They'll put something into an authorizatin law, but no money is available under the appropriations law. I suspect that's what's going to happen here. |
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Posted: 7/12/2024 1:20:00 AM EST
[#39]
Here's an update on the story we've been following about the Legislative Yuan gaining investigative powers with the powers to compel and jail anyone in Taiwan:
Taiwan's Constitutional Court holds first hearing on expanded legislative powers TAIPEI (Taiwan News) On Wednesday (July 10), Taiwan's Constitutional Court held an initial hearing on the government's effort to challenge the constitutionality of amendments to laws governing the powers of the Legislative Yuan. The controversial measures to expand the legislature's power were passed in late June by an alliance of Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) lawmakers. Under the Lai administration, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Executive Yuan filed for a review of the changes four days after the law went into effect; as a result, the court granted a temporary injunction on the Legislative Yuan's new powers. At Thursday's hearing, the Lai administration, the DPP, and a litigant from the Control Yuan argued their case for maintaining the provisional injunction over the expanded legislative powers while the matter is under constitutional review, reported CNA. Over the course of three hours, representatives from both sides were able to present arguments for and against the necessity of the injunction as well as the constitutionality of the new amendments. The DPP has argued that the expanded powers, which provide lawmakers with the ability to form investigative committees with subpoena power, exceed the constitutional role of the legislature and intrude upon the responsibilities of the Control Yuan. The DPP caucus has also said the legislation was not properly introduced and discussed, thereby damaging the country's democratic process. Petitioners say the new amendments violate the separation of powers of government and will make it difficult for separate branches to function properly. There are also concerns that individuals nominated to assist with forming or managing committees could possibly gain access to confidential documents that could jeopardize national security. The amendments in question also give the Legislative Yuan the ability to call on the president to make a state of the nation address at the legislature and take questions from lawmakers. The government believes these measures and others undermine the rights of the president and the Executive Yuan. Meanwhile, representatives from the Legislative Yuan said that the amendments represent an effort to strengthen the sovereignty of the public and hold the government accountable. Lawyers representing the KMT and TPP argued the injunction should be lifted since the legislation was voted on in accordance with legislative procedures outlined in the constitution. In defense of the expanded powers, the Legislative Yuan said the legislation is clear and the ability to form investigative committees is a power common to most legislatures in republics throughout the world. They argued the new powers do not allow the legislature to usurp authority from other branches of government as the petitioners believe. After the arguments were completed, judges on the Constitutional Court said the parties to the case will have three days until Saturday (July 13) to submit any additional documents or materials relevant to their arguments. It's expected the court will make an initial ruling on the temporary injunction next week before continuing the constitutional review of the legislation, per CNA. |
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Posted: 7/12/2024 4:29:41 AM EST
[#40]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Wineraner: The article's unclear. The Japanese destroyer breached the 12 mile limit under UNCLOS? (Are Japan and the PRC even signatories?) Though, if they did, considering the PRC practically camps out within the Senkoku's similar territorial waters, fuck the PRC if they can't take a joke. I suspect Japan is tired of China and pushing back |
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Posted: 7/12/2024 12:15:34 PM EST
[#41]
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Posted: 7/12/2024 5:46:02 PM EST
[#42]
Propaganda Friday submission
https://amp.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3270054/can-us-think-tanks-put-battle-narratives-china-rest |
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Posted: 7/12/2024 5:47:35 PM EST
[#43]
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Posted: 7/12/2024 5:53:13 PM EST
[Last Edit: CarmelBytheSea]
[#44]
2 years since thread was started
https://apnews.com/article/china-solomon-islands-us-taiwan-pacific-dc2e984ec5045060524c644ebf62b910 |
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Posted: 7/12/2024 5:57:40 PM EST
[#45]
Over 2 years later since the thread was started here’s Pacific islands updates https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/vanuatu-prime-minister-asks-bank-of-china-to-open-branch-in-port-villa-101720759953822-amp.html
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Posted: 7/12/2024 9:42:37 PM EST
[#46]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/japans-defense-white-paper-sounds-alarm-over-china-north-korea-russia/ Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/japans-defense-white-paper-sounds-alarm-over-china-north-korea-russia/ Japan's Defense White Paper Sounds Alarm Over China, North Korea, Russia A situation similar to Russia's invasion of Ukraine may occur in East Asia, Tokyo warns. In its latest defense white paper, Tokyo has for the first time sounded a direct warning against the growing risk of a grave situation akin to Russia's invasion of Ukraine occurring in East Asia. "Japan is facing the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II. It cannot be ruled out that a serious situation similar to Russia's aggression against Ukraine may occur in the Indo-Pacific region in future, particularly in East Asia," the annual defense white paper, titled "Defense of Japan 2024" published on July 12, states. Without mentioning China by name, this part of the white paper is clearly a reference to a possible Taiwan contingency. "The first part of the year's defense white paper, which describes the security situation surrounding Japan, is the most tense in the paper's history, given Russia's protracted invasion of Ukraine, China's increasing military pressure on Taiwan, and North Korea's deployment of tactical nuclear weapons," Yoshinaga Kenji, a former intelligence officer in both the Public Security Intelligence Agency and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, told The Diplomat. The white paper expressed "serious concern" over China's hardline external stance and increasing military activities, accusing Beijing of presenting "an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge to which Japan should respond with its comprehensive national power and in cooperation and collaboration with its ally, like-minded countries and others." "China has been intensifying its activities across the entire region surrounding Japan, including in the East China Sea, particularly in the area around the Senkaku Islands, the Sea of Japan, and the western Pacific Ocean, extending beyond the so-called first island chain to the second island chain," the paper noted. Tokyo administers the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea and insists they are an inherent part of the territory of Japan. China claims they should be under Beijing's control. The white paper also highlighted China's intensifying military activities around Taiwan. "As a result of these increasing military activities by the Chinese side, the possibility of increased military tensions between China and Taiwan cannot be denied," the paper pointed out for the first time. "Stabilizing the situation surrounding Taiwan is important not only for Japan's national security but also for the stability of the international community. Therefore, it is necessary that we pay close attention to the situation with a sense of crisis more than ever before," it added. Tokyo also expressed grave concerns about Beijing's further strengthening cooperation with Russia, including intensifying China-Russia joint military drills around Japan. On North Korea, the white paper states that military activities by the Northeast Asian country continue to pose "an even more grave and imminent threat to Japan's national security than ever before," by pointing out Pyongyang's rapid progress in nuclear and missile development. In particular, this year's white paper pointed out Pyongyang is focusing on improving the quality of its nuclear weapons capabilities through new solid-fuel missiles and spy satellites. "North Korea is focusing on qualitatively improving its nuclear and missile capabilities, such as diversifying its equipment systems and acquiring intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) means that complement its nuclear and missile operational capabilities," the paper stated. The white paper also mentioned North Korea's provision of military equipment and ammunition to Russia for the first time. Regarding Russia, Tokyo also expressed "a strong security concern." The paper pointed out that Russia's continuing aggression against Ukraine is an "unprecedented" situation, accusing Moscow of openly engaging in military actions challenging international law and the international order, claiming innocent lives and repeatedly using languages and actions that can be interpreted as threats involving nuclear weapons. "Russia is continuing active military activities in the Northern Territories, which are inherent territories of Japan, under illegal occupation," the paper also noted. The defense ministry emphasized that the white paper only covers the period from April 2023 to March 2024 and is thus not a strategic document. |
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Posted: 7/12/2024 9:49:58 PM EST
[#47]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: 2 years since thread was started https://apnews.com/article/china-solomon-islands-us-taiwan-pacific-dc2e984ec5045060524c644ebf62b910 Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: 2 years since thread was started https://apnews.com/article/china-solomon-islands-us-taiwan-pacific-dc2e984ec5045060524c644ebf62b910 Solomon Islands and China are strengthening ties in a worrying move for US and its Pacific allies Somewhere I read something about some country getting a branch of one of the national banks of China which really helps with paying off that "oh so sweet" bribe money, but I guess it isn't the Solomon Islands. They're going to have to learn to play "second fiddle" for a while until they get with the anti-Australia, anti-American kick. |
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Posted: 7/12/2024 9:58:02 PM EST
[Last Edit: zoinks]
[#48]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: Over 2 years later since the thread was started here's Pacific islands updates https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/vanuatu-prime-minister-asks-bank-of-china-to-open-branch-in-port-villa-101720759953822-amp.html Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: Over 2 years later since the thread was started here's Pacific islands updates https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/vanuatu-prime-minister-asks-bank-of-china-to-open-branch-in-port-villa-101720759953822-amp.html  Vanuatu Prime Minister asks Bank of China to open branch in Port Villa And I'm sure the Vanuatu Prime Minister thought very carefully as to which Vanuatu laws and regulations the act as the controlling authorities to Vanuatu's domestic banking industry the Vanuatu Prime Minister will be exempting Bank of China from which will, of course, cause havoc with Vanuatu's domestic banks. Should be fun!!! The statement, posted on Facebook, said Salwai had made the request during a visit to bank officials in China. A decision has yet to be made on the Port Villa branch, which could be used as a clearing bank for yuan, it added. The announcement comes as the United States and Australia scrabble to devise a plan to improve financial access in the strategic Pacific Island region, which global banks have been steadily leaving due to small populations and vast distances that mean little prospect of profit. Many countries also lack the resources to find and prosecute financial crime, raising the risk that banks get embroiled in embarrassing and expensive scandals. Earlier this week, The United States and Australia co-hosted a meeting in Brisbane to find solutions to improve financial access in the region in which China is also jockeying for influence. The Vanuatu government statement said a yuan clearing facility would help reduce prices of Chinese-made goods, as these were currently being paid for by a strong U.S. dollar. Bank of China has offices in New Zealand, Australia and Papua New Guinea. Earlier this year, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Nauru to explore banking solutions. Salwai, who travelled to Shanghai on Tuesday, is visiting China before attending a Pacific Island leaders meeting in Japan next week. Earlier this week Salwai visited technology company Huawei in Shenzhen. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Bank of China did not respond to a request for comment. ETA: I was laughing, so I forgot to address a system statement: The Vanuatu government statement said a yuan clearing facility would help reduce prices of Chinese-made goods, as these were currently being paid for by a strong U.S. dollar. The PRC decades ago decided to peg their currency. the RMB or Yuan, to the US Dollar. When the US Dollar goes up, usually due to international demand, so does the RMB, and when the US Dollar goes down in value, usually to the lack of international demand, so does the RMB. This all begs the question, what is actually happening here? It's an interesting question with a someone interesting answer. Most of the paper Money the US actually prints, is not for US domestic use. It's for the World to use. This is why the Chinese, although they produce the "talk" that they're going to become the World's Reserve Currency, will never produce a World's Reserve Currency. They are not going to give up the control of their currency by letting foreign devils bid on it in auctions around the World. Now, some of you are thinking, "hey, don't nations do electronic banking with each other?" And, "isn't all just entries into computer records anyway?" Yes, they do, gentle readers, and yes it is. So what is going here? Vanuatu will be using Dollars to purchase Yuans, that's what's going on here. The PRC has been after US cash for a time now. They've been selling US Treasuries on the secondary market for a long while. They're collecting US cash. Arbitrage, and any type of brokering, is a pretty risky game. The Socialists of CA found that out when they actually believed they could enter the energy market at the turn of this Century and went damn near bankrupt over their stupidity. I don't see the Socialists of the PRC doing any better in an open playing field where they don't control the rules and the outcomes. All we can do is encourage PRC stupidity!! |
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Posted: 7/12/2024 11:25:22 PM EST
[#49]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: Propaganda Friday submission https://amp.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3270054/can-us-think-tanks-put-battle-narratives-china-rest Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CarmelBytheSea: Propaganda Friday submission https://amp.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3270054/can-us-think-tanks-put-battle-narratives-china-rest To be sure, there are names of essayists on SCMP that have a "legend" but I can't any real life time history of them. It could be that these people are very insignificant in what they say and do, hence no one will create a wiki page about them. David Dodwell seems to be no exception to the rest of the pantheon of SCMP employees. There is a video of him being interviewed on CNBC back in 2019 about the Honk Kong protests and that they were bad for Trade. And that's it. In this piece, Dodwell is opining that US think tanks are creating...something atmosperhic or ethereal, I don't know...conditions that will lead the US political elite to change their views on their "China Policy." But then he only talks about the Council on Foreign Relations which is a leftist think tank aligned with the DNC. Dodwell is using conflation to suggest that all US think tanks are working on this, albiet separately, to come to this same conclusion that the Council on Foreign Relations has. Overall, it's the same bull shit that leftists always do: it's the narrative. I'm not going to quote a lot from it because everyone's "nonsense" meters will go full alert, but let's do some. After all that's what Propaganda Friday is all about! The New York-based foreign policy think tank known as the Council on Foreign Relations has launched a new project called the China Strategy Initiative. According to its website: "Competition with China poses a challenge unlike any the United States has faced before." The initiative will aim to "answer the questions that go to the heart of American China strategy". This initiative speaks to an overriding US imperative to re-engage a battle of the narratives that can credibly unify as many as possible of its key allies in explaining exactly why China's rise constitutes an existential threat to the globally benign status quo. We experience the leftist narrative everyday here regarding both domestic policy and foreign policy, plus our crumbling dysfunctional society. We are not "unaware." This goes straight back to when Carmel posted the video link on the Congressional Hearing about US policy in the South China Seas. It got a remention up above as well. "We have a strategy." Now we come to the parts of the essay that has very little relation to his thesis, but one that many people would accept without evidence: Winning the narrative battle has been pivotal to governments justifying their rule throughout recorded history, and today is no different. That is why victors always write the history books: the story is often more important than the truth. This Council on Foreign Relations initiative is likely to be important, partly because some inconvenient truths are undermining the credibility of the US narrative. The unifying narrative that has lent authority to the US claim to global leadership since World War II seems increasingly threadbare. Since the defeat of the Axis powers and the creation of the United Nations and other Bretton Woods Institutions, the US has worked brilliantly to generate a steady narrative justifying the "rules-based order", which has provided a unifying story for the maintenance of peace and global prosperity. As Alexandra Homolar and Oliver Turner wrote in Oxford Academic in January, this delineated a "morally superior grouping" that "established a benign and mutually beneficial system of international organisation". "Overall, the [rules-based order] origin story is one of peace, stability and prosperity", they wrote. It provided what they call "a unifying story for the maintenance of formal security alliances" that has been "dividing the world into those who belong to the community of righteous actors and those situated outside". Normally, we'd look at prose like this and just wait for the hammer to drop! That doesn't happen. Here's the extent of it: This narrative has been repeated by the Biden administration, in particular by US secretary of state Antony Blinken. Recall Blinken's 2022 speech at George Washington University: "China is the only country with both the intent to reshape the international order and, increasingly, the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to do it." He framed China as an aggressive and expansive one-party state whose "vision would move us away from the universal values that have sustained so much of the world's progress over the past 75 years". Let's get to some of the real comedic writing of the piece. ...despite a lack of evidence of military aggression or territorial expansion that would lend it credibility. It is reinforced by claims that China is part of an "axis of evil" comprising China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, and that it is manipulating trade and investment rules with subsidies and protectionist industrial policies, intellectual property theft and "debt-trap" diplomacy. While all of these claims are underpinned by dubiously concocted facts, and often no facts at all, this does not matter. In the battle for narrative control, the quality of the narrative counts more than the facts. Overall, I rate this 4 out of 10. He drops a lot of names. Got to be worth something. |
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Posted: 7/13/2024 12:00:16 AM EST
[#50]
Still need to do that Guardian article, and so far, there's no score card. Maybe in the morning.
But here are two more stories: Taiwan, US sign contract for F-16 infrared tracking systems TAIPEI (Taiwan News) Taiwan has signed a contract with the U.S. for a NT$11.24 billion (US$344.35 million) arms package, including Infrared Search and Track systems (IRST) for its F-16 jets, reports said Friday (July 12). The Biden administration announced in August 2023 that it was planning to sell the tracking systems to Taiwan as part of a US$500 million arms sale. The contract for 17 items was signed by the Ministry of National Defense mission in the U.S. and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) on June 25, per CNA. The contract is valid from June 25 to Dec. 31, 2030, while Taitung County was mentioned as the location. The southeastern region includes the Zhihang Air Force Base, where 66 F-16V fighter jets purchased from the U.S. will be stationed. The IRST systems can detect stealth aircraft up to 150 km away, as their engines and the friction between the air and the planes produce heat. The infrared technology will help make up for the shortcomings of existing radar systems, according to military experts. Taiwan presidential office denies 'silencing' US diplomat's one China reference This story I'm posting because it's so similar to here during the Trump Admin. As a reminder, the American Institute on Taiwan is the closest thing the US government has to an embassy and ambassador. TAIPEI (Taiwan News) President Lai Ching-te's ( ) office has denied "silencing" references to the United States' "one China" policy made by new American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene during the pair's first meeting. Lai met Greene at the presidential office on Wednesday (July 10), where both delivered speeches emphasizing mutual commitments and close ties between Taiwan and the U.S. However, in a press release issued by the presidential office after the event, Greene's reference to the "long-standing U.S. one China policy" was removed. Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo issued a statement on Friday addressing the discrepancy after local news outlet UDN published a report highlighting it. Kuo said there was no "intention to silence, or possibility of silencing" Greene's comments. Kuo said it is standard practice that diplomatic guests' comments are not published verbatim and that members of the media were present when the remarks were made. Greene's full speech was live-streamed by various outlets, and no content was omitted, she said. A transcription of Greene's remarks was published by AIT after the speech. "The United States will continue to support Taiwan in accordance with the long-standing U.S. one China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances," it reads. A paraphrased version published by the presidential office reads: "The U.S. will continue to support Taiwan, (Greene) said, in accordance with the longstanding U.S. policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three Joint Communiqu s, and Six Assurances." In addition to denying the "one China" reference was intentionally removed, the presidential office also took aim at UDN. " Certain media have repeatedly used malicious insinuations and false news reports in the past, such as (reports stating that) 'the U.S. requires Taiwan to develop biological weapons' which judicial authorities confirmed as false a year ago," Kuo said. "Now they are repeating the use of false information, which is highly regrettable. The government has once again asked the United Daily News (UDN) to remove the untrue report that undermines Taiwan-US relations." The U.S. one China policy "acknowledges" that there is only one China and that Taiwan is a part of China. In 1979, the U.S. passed the Taiwan Relations Act, which, in addition to legally requiring the U.S. to provide arms to Taiwan, stated an expectation that "the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means." The "Six Assurances" were declared in 1982 and formally adopted by the U.S. government in 2016. They clarified the U.S. position on Taiwan, including assurances that the U.S. has not agreed to end arms sales to Taiwan nor amend the Taiwan Relations Act. |
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