Originally Posted By zoinks:
and What a Submission it is, Brother!! Whoo! Let's do this one in it's entiretyWe interrupt our "little red book carrying mandarins" to do a sobriety check on the statement in red:
I'm going to say that the article does necessarily reflect the views of CGTN otherwise, it's to the "re-education" center with them for about 4 years. 10 years if they can tack on a criminal act.

Now, back to our fantasy:
Taiwan has been reduced to a "region" instead of a country and UN Resolution 2758 says nothing of this sort, and I can't think of a "Western liberal" democracy that has publically said this. For decades, the status quo has always been about the ambiguity of the "one-China" policy. Technically, this only exists as far as UN representation is concerned and bolstered with the Chinese bribing foreign politicians.

This one tripe we've just dispensed a couple of weeks ago as a matter of fact, and this is how you can tell we're not the intended audience. Xi has already stated multiple times the goal is "unification" peaceful or violently. "not conflict" belongs in a children's story, and "One Country, Two Systems" has been relegated to the "Dust Bin of History" for both Hong Kong and Macao and hasn't been used in the context of Taiwan for years. The PRC used their manufactured COVID-19 debacle/castrophe to eliminate all protests from Hong Kong and Macao and then prommelgated various laws removing the "One Country, Two Systems" guarantees for those now administrative areas: political candidates must have approval from Beijing prior to running for elected office.


Cut to a photo of the main gate at the White House to make sure you understand!!!


You've all heard the common trope of "that was Stalinism, not real Communism" or "real Communism has never been tried." It's right up there with "When Socialism fails the answer is always more Socialism." In red is the kind of mental gymnastics these literal clowns, but very dangerous clowns go through to the "We've always been at War with East Asia" all ginned up and raring to go.


One point and one observation to make here. First is the population of Taiwan is the only public opinion that really matter in this context. Second is this: even Keith Lamb has noted the closeness of the DNC to MSNBC, CBS, ABC, NBC, The View and the rest of all of that bull shit. But what Keith Lamb will note write about is that all of it is done at the behest of a political party. Here, it's the Democrats; there it's the CCP. We must ask ourselves how much of a difference is there between these two political parties?





Did we get rid of the puke emoji???? Fuck, it's hard to find the one you want. Insert puke here, please!!!!!! Join the Borg Collective is hardly a message outside of Hollywood.

In red is the threat of being accused of criminal activity for holding political opinions something people here are now experiencing thanks to Democrats.

In Blue is laughable as no context has been given, other than arms sales, to say how will foreign elites "profit from this folly." There's a reason for this: It's the foreign elites of various countries that the CCP bribes. The can't really start calling for their executions yet, as these same "foreign elites" will probably raise their price.

Originally Posted By CarmelBytheSea:

"University of Oxford graduate with a Master of Science in Contemporary Chinese Studies."

So Tim Walz and this guy could be friends

President William Lai (   ) yesterday said that China has "no right to represent Taiwan," but stressed that the nation was willing to work with Beijing on issues of mutual interest.

"The Republic of China has already put down roots in Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu," Lai said in his first Double Ten National Day address outside the Presidential Office Building in Taipei. "And the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China [PRC] are not subordinate to each other."

"The People's Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan," he said at the event marking the 113th National Day of the Republic of China, adding that his "mission" as president was to "ensure that our nation endures and progresses" and "resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty."

China late on Tuesday accused Lai of escalating tensions with "sinister intentions" in a speech he made over the weekend at an event to mark National Day today.

Lai said that it is "impossible" for the People's Republic of China (PRC) to become Taiwan's "motherland," because the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan) has older political roots.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office said he was confusing right and wrong.

Lai's "Taiwan independence fallacy is just old wine in a new bottle, and again exposes his obstinate stance on Taiwan independence, and his sinister intentions of escalating hostility and confrontation," it said.

In Beijing, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning (  ) said Lai was "hell-bent" on independence.

Lai's speech "exposed his hell-bent position on Taiwan independence and his sinister intention to escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait for political self-interest," Mao told a regular news briefing.

"Taiwan has never been a country and can never become one, so it does not have any so-called 'sovereignty,'" Mao said.

She added that Lai's comments "arbitrarily severed the historical connection between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait" and used "all manner of tactics to peddle the fantasy of Taiwan independence."

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)   The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) thanked its partners for supporting peace in the South China Sea at ASEAN Summits in Laos beginning Oct. 6

During the week-long event, the leaders and officials from the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and India expressed concern over growing instability in the region, MOFA said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed China's activities in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait in his meetings with ASEAN officials. Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru said Tokyo was concerned about "intensifying militarization and coercive activities" in the South China Sea and also stressed peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

In its joint statement with ASEAN, South Korea affirmed the importance of regional security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, "Maintaining peace and stability takes work" and pledged to cooperate with partners to achieve regional peace.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized, "Peace, security, and stability of the South China Sea are in the interest of the entire Indo-Pacific region." MOFA said these positions align with Taiwan's consistent South China Sea policy.

"Taiwan will continue to collaborate with like-minded partners under its 'comprehensive diplomacy' to uphold shared values such as democracy, freedom, and human rights," MOFA said. It urged the international community to adhere to international law and UNCLOS to uphold the rules-based international order and regional peace.

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)   As former President Tsai Ing-wen (   ) starts her first overseas tour since leaving office, it has been revealed the United Kingdom asked her to postpone a visit, The Guardian reported Saturday (Oct. 12).

Tsai's eight-day visit includes stops in the Czech Republic with a speech at the Forum 2000 conference, in France, and Belgium. She is set to become Taiwan's first former president to visit the European Parliament.

Her plans to visit London however, were canceled after the British Foreign Office told organizers they might endanger Foreign Secretary David Lammy's first official visit to China next week. The British-Taiwanese all-party parliamentary group (APPG) had wanted to host Tsai in parliament.

Prominent UK politicians said it should be made clear that Tsai was welcome in the country. APPG member Frances D'Souza said parliament was a democratic forum open to many voices, and she hoped it could welcome Tsai soon.

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)   A fight between soldiers at a KTV parlor in Pingtung left one marine dead early Saturday (Oct. 12).

Police received reports of a fight at the unregistered KTV around 2:40 a.m. They sent an 11-member emergency response team to the scene, Liberty Times reported.

They were told the four guests involved had gone to a hospital. They found one of them had died.

The victim, surnamed Hung ( ), was a 20-year-old marine, per CNA. He had reportedly been attacked by the three other guests, with Lin ( ), 24, a member of the 333 Mechanized Infantry Brigade, brandishing a knife.

Hung had been found severely injured by the side of a road 50 meters from the KTV. Drinking was believed to have played a part in the incident between the two sides, who had not known each other before the incident.

Reports said Lin and the two others were detained five hours after the clash.

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)   The Presidential Office called on China to accept Taiwan's sovereignty on Monday (Oct. 14), after the People's Liberation Army announced a series of drills around the nation.

"China should face the reality of the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and respect the Taiwanese people's choice of a democratic and free way of life," the office said in a statement. It pointed out the global consensus of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific.

China should halt military activities that "undermine regional peace and stability" and target Taiwan's democratic way of life, the office said. Taiwan remains committed to cross-strait dialogue and exchanges based on equality and dignity, it added. The office reiterated that Taiwan is ready to cooperate with China to ensure regional security and improve the well-being of people on both sides of the strait.

China's drills come as Taiwan is set to conduct three military exercises later this month. The Army's Chang Tai No. 19 exercise, the Navy's Hai Chiang Exercise, and the Air Force's Tianlong Exercise will all be held from late October to early November. The exercises aim to test Taiwan's combat readiness and joint operations capabilities.

Meanwhile, the US Department of State issued a statement expressing concern over China's drills. It labeled the maneuvers "unwarranted." The State Department called on Beijing to cease activities "that may undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region" and reiterated the US "one China" policy based on the Taiwan Relations Act, three joint communiques, and Six Assurances.

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)   Taiwan announced a donation of US$800,000 to assist in disaster response and recovery efforts in the southeastern United States as Hurricane Helene continues to cause devastation.

In a press release on Saturday (Oct. 12), Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) stated it will contribute US$800,000 to the US states most severely impacted by the hurricane. The funds include US$300,000 each for Florida and North Carolina, and US$200,000 for Georgia.

MOFA noted, "Taiwan is frequently hit by typhoons in summer and autumn" and "deeply empathizes with those who have suffered tremendous losses in life and property." It added that Taiwan shares a strong connection with the American people and is eager to offer assistance.

In a tweet, MOFA added: "Our hearts go out to those who were devastated by Hurricane Helene. At this tragic time, we're donating US$800,000 for reconstruction efforts in Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia, underscoring the profound bond between Taiwan and the US."

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)    In the latest global property price rankings, Taiwan was noted for the fourth-highest rise in home prices.

The international real estate consulting company Knight Frank on Monday (Oct. 7) released its "Global House Price Index" for the second quarter of 2024. Turkey ranked first in the world for housing price increases, with a national surge of 46.4% over the past year. Hong Kong experienced the largest drop in housing prices.

The top five countries with the highest year-over-year increases in global housing prices in the second quarter were Turkey (46.4%), Poland (18%), Bulgaria (15.1%), Taiwan (11.9%), and North Macedonia (11.5%). Countries ranking sixth to 10th included Colombia (10.9%), New Zealand (9.8%), Mexico (9.4%), Greece (9.2%), and Croatia (9.1%).

The top five countries with the largest housing price declines over the past year were Hong Kong (-12.7%), Luxembourg (-10.9%), Jersey Island (-9%), Finland (-6.8%), and China (-5.2%).

Knight Frank said that most countries around the world are entering a cycle of interest rate cuts, which will stimulate the rise in housing prices but may lead to policy intervention. In addition, authorities in some countries have begun to play expansions of the housing supply to alleviate the rise in housing prices.

According to the consulting firm, the average global house price growth across the 56 markets it surveyed in the 12 months to the end of June was 3.3%. It said 74% of markets saw a rise in the second quarter, the highest highest such reading in two years.

Originally Posted By GoldenMead:
I had a good discussion with a friend who’s still in the service today, he is a one star.  He said they believe the exercise was meant to show how quickly China could do an invasion and he said it was impressive.  He mentioned most of the civilian ferry’s were not in the area for this exercise. He also mentioned that they might not need the ferry’s because China might not feel the need to leave Taiwan intact.  He had a theory where China utterly destroys Taiwan and immediately moves on from it to the next objective.  This would require a lot less resources and man power than trying to invade and pacify the population. Shock and awe to install fear into the world and make their next fight easier.  

I myself wrote on here dozens of pages ago on how China could do it.  Only time will tell what will happen.  But the frequency of events around the world seems to be accelerating.


One last thing.  I heard from a different source today that China informed Washington that Iran is their red line and we better not cross it.  I found that very interesting.

Originally Posted By zoinks:
I got one for you as well that you can add to your "trophy room!"



(Bear in mind that the above is not a US gov't statement or published conclusion.)






This one is for you originally published two years ago:
Chinese Launch Assault Craft from Civilian Car Ferries in Mass Amphibious Invasion Drill, Satellite Photos Show
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/1737/0709159428258034702a_jpg-3349362.JPG




Those are some big ships. The heli-pad looks like it could do two Chinooks with room for a container of prostitutes!

Originally Posted By CarmelBytheSea:

and I wrote here in GD about China and Iran eg strikes inside Iran like their nuclear sites, oil and Tehran

Originally Posted By GoldenMead:
I had a good discussion with a friend who’s still in the service today, he is a one star.  He said they believe the exercise was meant to show how quickly China could do an invasion and he said it was impressive.  He mentioned most of the civilian ferry’s were not in the area for this exercise. He also mentioned that they might not need the ferry’s because China might not feel the need to leave Taiwan intact.  He had a theory where China utterly destroys Taiwan and immediately moves on from it to the next objective.  This would require a lot less resources and man power than trying to invade and pacify the population. Shock and awe to install fear into the world and make their next fight easier.  

I myself wrote on here dozens of pages ago on how China could do it.  Only time will tell what will happen.  But the frequency of events around the world seems to be accelerating.


One last thing.  I heard from a different source today that China informed Washington that Iran is their red line and we better not cross it.  I found that very interesting.

At the direction of the President, Secretary Austin authorized the deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and associated crew of U.S. military personnel to Israel to help bolster Israel's air defenses following Iran's unprecedented attacks against Israel on April 13 and again on October 1. The THAAD Battery will augment Israel's integrated air defense system. This action underscores the United States' ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran. It is part of the broader adjustments the U.S. military has made in recent months, to support the defense of Israel and protect Americans from attacks by Iran and Iranian-aligned militias.

This is not the first time the United States has deployed a THAAD battery to the region. The President directed the military to deploy a THAAD battery to the Middle East last year following the October 7th attacks to defend American troops and interests in the region. The United States previously deployed a THAAD battery to Israel in 2019 for training and an integrated air defense exercise.

Originally Posted By Wineraner:


What kind of red line?  Like, no US assistance to strikes within Iran, no strikes by US aircraft, no interference with Iranian-flagged vessels?  Any of those?  None of them?

Interesting.  I wouldn't have thought it that important to the PRC.

Originally Posted By GoldenMead:
I had a good discussion with a friend who's still in the service today, he is a one star.  He said they believe the exercise was meant to show how quickly China could do an invasion and he said it was impressive.  He mentioned most of the civilian ferry's were not in the area for this exercise. He also mentioned that they might not need the ferry's because China might not feel the need to leave Taiwan intact.  He had a theory where China utterly destroys Taiwan and immediately moves on from it to the next objective.  This would require a lot less resources and man power than trying to invade and pacify the population. Shock and awe to install fear into the world and make their next fight easier.  

I myself wrote on here dozens of pages ago on how China could do it.  Only time will tell what will happen.  But the frequency of events around the world seems to be accelerating.


One last thing.  I heard from a different source today that China informed Washington that Iran is their red line and we better not cross it.  I found that very interesting.

Originally Posted By CarmelBytheSea:

and I wrote here in GD about China and Iran eg strikes inside Iran like their nuclear sites, oil and Tehran

Originally Posted By Wineraner:


What kind of red line?  Like, no US assistance to strikes within Iran, no strikes by US aircraft, no interference with Iranian-flagged vessels?  Any of those?  None of them?

Interesting.  I wouldn't have thought it that important to the PRC.

Originally Posted By GoldenMead:


As Carmel pointed out in the post above yours the redline appears to be attacks on oil infrastructure and nuclear sites.  China likes its cheap Iranian oil.  Also China has been working closely with Iran in several areas. Iran is also a BRICS nations.

Originally Posted By zoinks:


It's an interesting bit of extorsion, that's for sure.

What can they threaten? Releasing more information on Biden and his family? He's not running anymore.
More "hacks" of our system? They're going to have to shut down our country in this manner to make it hurt, but anything like that would end trade with the US at a minimum. Whatever it is they're going to do, is the PRC ready for that consequence?

The only thing they can "threaten" with this extortion is what then? Perhaps the PRC makes the point that however the US militarily attacks Iran, that's what will happen with Taiwan?

This is possible! However, the problem then becomes the same problem as before where in attacking an innocent country will harden the resovle of the PRC's enemies.

But, I'm getting closer and closer going down the "rabbit hole" where a nuclear exchange is always at the end of it all.

Originally Posted By CarmelBytheSea:

Team Biden is probably not gonna care about much after the election but they've been walking g on eggshells most of this election season.
That's why I wondered about timing given only 3 weeks until the election

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)   The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 153 Chinese military aircraft, 14 naval vessels, and 12 official ships around Taiwan between 5 a.m. on Monday (Oct. 14) and 6 a.m. on Tuesday.

Of the 153 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 111 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the nation's northern, western, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND.

China at 5 a.m. on Monday announced the large-scale "Joint Sword-2024B" military drills around Taiwan as a warning against "separatist acts" following President Lai Ching-te's (   ) National Day speech. Thirteen hours later, the PLA said the drills had been "successfully completed."

The MND said it changed its period of tracking Chinese military activity from 5 a.m. on Oct. 14 to 6 a.m. on Oct. 15 to coincide with the PLA exercises. It noted that some vessels and aircraft detected were also included in Monday's PLA activity report.

"Any drills without prior warning will cause great disturbance to peace and stability in the entire region," Premier Cho Jung-tai (   ) said in Taipei, according to Reuters. "China's drills not only affect Taiwan's neighborhood but also seriously affect the entire international navigational rights and air and sea space, so attracted the attention of other countries."

Meanwhile, the US Department of Defense called the PLA drills "irresponsible, disproportionate, and destabilizing" in a statement on Monday.

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)   Retired Taiwanese Major General Tsang You-hsia (   ) will lose 75% of his monthly pension for five years after it was revealed he stood for China's national anthem during a meeting in Hong Kong, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Tuesday (Oct. 15).

The MND said Tsang's attendance at the event organized by a pro-unification group violated Taiwan's national dignity under the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area.

Last week's meeting with the MND, the National Security Bureau (NSB), the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, and the Mainland Affairs Council reviewed the evidence, including witness testimony and an interview with Tsang, the Liberty Times reported.

The measure will be retroactive to Aug. 20, the day of the Hong Kong meeting. The former general must also hand over several military medals and decorations.

Tsang also served as the head of the Huang Fu-hsing Chapter, a Kuomintang (KMT) branch dominated by veterans.

1. Date
6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Tuesday to Wednesday, Oct. 15-16

2. PLA activities
22 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 13 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities.

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)   China has ramped up its hybrid tactics to pressure Taiwan, according to the National Security Bureau (NSB).

Beijing has also expanded its cyber warfare capabilities, the NSB said on Tuesday (Oct. 15). It has intensified its use of online disinformation, such as employing "internet trolls," fake accounts, and AI technology, per CNA.

China has also distorted the interpretation of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 by linking it with the "one China" principle to claim control of Taiwan and undermine its international participation. To suppress the "Taiwan independence" sentiment, Beijing introduced 22 measures in June to punish those advocating it.

Suspects can be tried in absentia and even sentenced to death. The measures are an attempt to expand China's jurisdiction over Taiwan.

The report pointed out that China's efforts to extend its presence to the East and South China Seas have triggered responses from the international community, such as the US's decision to establish an Indo-Pacific resilience partnership with allies and partners from the region and Europe.

China's Joint Sword 2024B drills on Monday (Oct. 14) were designed to demonstrate its deterrent power, the NSB said. It was the first time that its coast guard ships were deployed in joint readiness patrols.

President Lai Ching-te (   ) has pledged to bolster national defense and protect the well-being of the Taiwanese under his Four Pillars of Peace action plan. Lai said three new committees have been established to address Taiwan's global challenges, including climate change and authoritarian expansion: the National Climate Change Committee, Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee, and Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee.

The Ministry of National Defense will soon conduct three major exercises to strengthen combat readiness and joint operations capabilities. The Army's Chang Tai No. 19 exercise, the Navy's Hai Chiang Exercise, and the Air Force's Tianlong Exercise are all scheduled to last from late October to early November.

Originally Posted By zoinks:
This one is a big deal behind a paywall!! You'd think that these communists would allow people to read their diatribes for free!!!
Here's what I could get on "Reader View":

As former President Tsai reminded all during the recent election period, what the Taiwanese are voting for is either the status quo or to become another Hong Kong. The promulgation of these sorts of laws turn Taiwan into Hong Kong.

Originally Posted By zoinks:
I don't think I'll stay awake tonight waiting for a proper score card with a flight tracker, so here's the MND release from their website. Perhaps GoldenMead will use his magic to produce one!!!!
2024/10/16 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

The National Security Bureau of Taiwan has issued a...what do you call it when the secret squirrel stuff in the shadows makes an announcement!
China increases hybrid tactics to coerce Taiwan: National Security Bureau