Last night we had a good conversation with Mike and Joanne about world politics.
Here's something for Robert to dispute:
The subject naturally turned to China as Joanne is Chinese, has relatives living there and takes an interest in and is concerned over recent happenings.
China seems to be regressing with some quite ominous indicators that Xi Jinping is becoming more and more like Mao Zedong and follows his 'reforms'.
At the latest five year congress Xi Jinping increased his powers, put down his opponents and stacked his government with friends, sycophants and 'trainees' - the inner circle. This power increase will enable Xi to put his sole stamp on China's future - a situation that hasn't been seen since the days of Mao. This doesn't bode well for the Chinese people, Taiwan and the West as China ramps up both its defence and its expansionism.
Xi, in his third term (and maybe forever term) will be engaging with the West quite differently than in his first two terms. Significant pressure points are: technology battles (5G wireless, artificial intelligence (AI), green energy, etc along with hacking and use of Tik Tok in information gathering): potential invasion of Taiwan; China's human rights record; Covid-19, Ukraine War (China not condemning it); South China Sea ambitions and threats to South Korea and Japan; Pacific nations and South America interference; and the relationship with USA (damaged irreparably by the fat fool Donald Trump).
It is quite likely that Xi's first flexing of muscle will be testing Taiwan's resilience and support base. Already he has increased military posturing towards Taiwan by fly-overs with warplanes and having sea drills nearby. If Russia shows some accomplishment in the invasion of Ukraine then look out Taiwan given that Xi, by inaction, seems to be supporting Putin.
The conversation interested me and I'll do some reading up on China, more than the peripheral reading that I've been doing having been distracted by USA and UK politics and the Russia/Ukraine conflict.
Hey- I'll let you know if I find anything interesting. It'll make a change from posts on my kitchen appliances.
1 comment:
Yeah, good post.
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