Flirting with War (China vs Taiwan, and whatever might ensue)

[ExomatrixTV]

• CCP Irrational Provocations

Taiwan’s Lai is detested by Beijing as a “dangerous separatist” for championing the island’s sovereignty and distinct identity. He succeeded two-term president Tsai Ing-wen to start an unprecedented third consecutive term in power for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

Beijing has denounced Lai’s inauguration speech, during which he called on China to cease its intimidation of Taiwan.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry has condemned China’s drills as “irrational provocations and actions that undermine regional peace and stability.”
In a statement Thursday, the ministry said it had dispatched sea, air and ground forces in response to the drills.

“We stand by with firm will and restraint. We seek no conflicts, but we will not shy away from one. We have the confidence to safeguard our national security,” it said.
Taiwan’s presidential spokeswoman Karen Kuo said in a statement: “It is regrettable to see China threatening Taiwan’s democracy and freedom and regional peace and stability with unilateral military provocations.”

“In the face of external challenges and threats, we will continue to defend democracy and have the confidence and ability to protect national security,” Kuo added.

In a statement on Thursday, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was following developments in the Taiwan Strait closely, and urged all parties to “refrain from acts that could escalate tensions in the region.”

Taiwan’s 23 million people have long become used to the threat of China’s war drills, and Thursday life continued as normal in the capital Taipei.
While Taiwanese news outlets were reporting on the Chinese drills, it was far from the only headline on their agenda, which also included recent political bust ups in the legislature, and even information on filing taxes during the tax season.

Taipei’s main stock index, the TAIEX, was 0.26 percent up in mid-afternoon trade.



Chinese guided missile frigate Nantong is seen taking part in the military drills. "People's" Liberation Army/Weibo

Propaganda push

China’s military drills are as often as much about playing to a domestic audience as signaling intentions internationally. China’s military and state media churned out propaganda and highlighted coverage of the drills, which remained a top trending topic Thursday on tightly controlled Chinese social media platforms.

Footage of the drills released by the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command showed a guided missile frigate, the Nantong, and a pilot climbing into a fighter jet at a military base.

The rhetoric coming from Chinese state media and the PLA portrayed the exercises as a practice run for encircling Taiwan, and even threatening small outlying islands that lie close to China’s mainland.

China’s state broadcaster CCTV said multiple destroyer and frigate formations of the Eastern Theater Command Navy “maneuvered at high speed in multiple directions in the waters surrounding Taiwan, creating an omnidirectional approach in pushing toward the island.”

Meanwhile, the command’s air force dispatched dozens of fighter jets to Taiwan’s main island and outlying islands, according to CCTV.

“Under the support and cover of the Army and the Rocket Force, multiple types of aircraft were organized and loaded with live ammunition, flew to the predetermined airspace to establish multiple strike positions, and coordinated with destroyers, frigates, and missile speedboats to simulate attacking the ‘enemy’s’ high-value military targets and reconnaissance and patrol aircraft,” the report said.

In another report, CCTV published a series of posters of what it calls “the magic weapons killing separatists” promoting Taiwan independence.

They include the J-20 and J-16 fighter jets, the Type 052 destroyer and Type 071 amphibious transport dock, and the Dongfeng ballistic missile. Though the report did not specify if they were being used in the ongoing drills.

• Taiwan President Lai Ching-te visits a military camp in Taoyuan, Taiwan, on Thursday.

A Taiwanese sailor aboard a Taiwan Navy vessel gazes at a Chinese warship, off Taiwan's western coast, on Thursday.

Carl Schuster, a former director of operations at the US Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, said Beijing was trying to stress Taiwan’s older and less numerous hardware.
For instance, “Taiwan’s F-16s are over 20 years old and every flight hour tasked to those air frames draws the fuselage and equipment ever closer to refurbishment, which takes them out of service for 1-4 months. It also stresses the force overall, keeping them on edge,” he said.

Schuster said in addition to the drills around Taiwan’s main island, the pressing of China’s Coast Guard and other forces into waters close to the outlying islands controlled by Taipei is “provocative.”

“It puts Taiwan on the spot. If they react militarily or forcefully, they risk triggering a conflict,” he said.

• Rising tensions

Under leader Xi Jinping, China has grown more assertive and ramped up diplomatic, economic and military pressure on Taiwan as the island democracy tightens informal ties with the United States.

Officials in Washington have been anticipating for several months the prospect of Chinese provocations around the inauguration and had been having contingency conversations as part of their planning, according to officials.

Periods of higher tension, like the swearing-in of a new president in Taiwan, are areas where US officials frequently brace for a Chinese show of force, officials say.

“There’s no surprise whenever there’s an action that highlights Taiwan in the international sphere the Chinese feel compelled to make some kind of form of statement,” Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Stephen Sklenka, the deputy commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command told the National Press Club of Australia on Thursday.

In August 2022, China staged massive war games around Taiwan to show its displeasure with then US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei. Beijing fired missiles into waters surrounding the island and simulated a blockade with fighter jets and warships, in its largest show of force in years.

A similar encirclement exercise was also held in April 2023.

Chinese warplanes now regularly fly into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and across the Median Line in the Taiwan Strait – an informal demarcation point that Beijing does not recognize but until recent years had largely respected.

Beijing has also exerted pressure on Lai in the lead-up to his inauguration. On May 15, days before Lai took office, Taipei said it detected 45 Chinese military aircraft around Taiwan, the highest single-day number this year.

Evan A. Feigenbaum, vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, calls China’s latest drills “an intimidation tactic, part of a pattern, not a sign of imminent war.”

“Beijing has a robust coercion kitbag from which it will mix and match, ratchet up and back and up again to signal its range of options to coerce and inflict pain,” he wrote on social platform X.

Some defense experts noted that the name of China’s latest military exercises “Joint Sword-2024A” suggests another round of drills could follow later this year.

Drew Thompson, a senior research fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, noted the drills were part of a pattern.

“It is not a surprise, nor is it a tactical response to President Lai’s speech. These exercises are part of the PLA’s long-term, strategic preparations to fight and win a war over Taiwan,”

• source

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/dana916/status/1795469494241878122

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1797327321809969458

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
Absolutely extraordinary speech by
@JLMelenchon
, the leader of the French left, on how the US "want war" with China.

Here is it in full:

"The center of the world, at this hour when the most terrible of wars is being prepared, is not on European soil. It is over there between the coasts of the Americas and the coasts of Asia. This was reiterated yesterday at an international conference held in Singapore, where the Americans repeated that, whatever happens in Europe or the Middle East, their priority is in the Asia-Pacific zone, which they call the Indo-Pacific so that the enemy is better identified. For them, it is China. They want war because 50% of the world's wealth is produced there.

More than 50% of the world's population is there. The United States of America is in competition with China, but not ideologically. Who initiated the first agreements with China to outsource factories if not the United States of America themselves? They cannot tell us that it is a fight for freedom against I don't know what. All of this is nonsense. It's just because China is becoming the world's leading power, and from there, gradually, dollars will no longer be used as much as before to trade goods.

Thus, the empire is hit at its core. Its core is its currency, which it can print as much as it wants because it is not bound by any of the rules that apply to all other nations. They can print as much as they want, as long as you need it for your exchanges, to buy raw materials, to buy oil, to buy minerals, etc., etc. And the day it stops, that is, the day nations agree among themselves to pay in their currency, it's over, and the empire collapses.

Therefore, they engage in competition that is not free and completely distorted, supported by weapons. That is their policy. And meanwhile, the foolish Europeans are there saying, "Ah, of course, we agree with freedom. Ah, of course, that is an excellent program." When this program by the North Americans, in truth, also involves robbing Europe, as has already begun.

That is where the greatest threat of war lies because it would be a total war, as weapons there do not have the same range, the same significance as elsewhere. As in Europe, notably atomic weapons. Remember what I am telling you because you will pay a little more attention to it as you hear more about it. And we, the French, are concerned because we are present in this zone through Polynesia, through the territory of New Caledonia Kanaki, through our presence in Reunion in the Indian Ocean.

Therefore, the French have something to say, and in particular this: we do not want a war with China. And we will oppose by all diplomatic means to prevent it from happening."

https://x.com/RnaudBertrand/status/1797104207444730097

https://x.com/RnaudBertrand/status/1797149058295115939

[BMJ]

Posted by Ravenlocke (here)
More than 50% of the world's population is there. The United States of America is in competition with China, but not ideologically. Who initiated the first agreements with China to outsource factories if not the United States of America themselves? They cannot tell us that it is a fight for freedom against I don't know what. All of this is nonsense. It's just because China is becoming the world's leading power, and from there, gradually, dollars will no longer be used as much as before to trade goods.

This is off topic but relevant to this point, our respective governments " deliberately sabotaged our respective economies " and are now claiming aggrieved status.

Here in Australia the means was by the 1975 Lima Declaration, I would say there are similiar agreements in other western countries to that have de industrialized since the 1970's.

DLP Calls for Review of the 1975 Lima Declaration

Quote:
"In 1975, with no public consultation, the ALP government of Gough Whitlam signed Australia up to the United Nations inspired Lima Declaration which required Australia to reduce its manufacturing capabilities by around 30% and to commit to import that amount from other preferred countries....

What has transpired in the years since the ALP signed the Lima Declaration is that the 30% target has in fact exploded, with current estimates putting it at more than 90%."

Link: https://dlp.org.au/dlp-calls-for-rev...a-declaration/

Also in response to the comment in Ravenlockes post quote:
" Therefore, the French have something to say, and in particular this: we do not want a war with China. And we will oppose by all diplomatic means to prevent it from happening." "

For the military industrial complex, war is good is for business but a " cold war " is great for long term profits.

[BMJ]

Posted by BMJ (here)
Growing the AUKUS Alliance a de facto Alliance to oppose China.

AUKUS, a military alliance between Australia, the UK and the US, is reportedly planning to expand and add more members in the bloc. Originally formed after a submarine deal between the three nations, these allies are expanding their cooperation to counter China's expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific.

Countries including Japan, Canada and New Zealand are interested in joining the bloc.

But will the AUKUS make an outreach to India? Last year, British lawmakers called for India's inclusion. According to some reports, Indian officials have met with AUKUS nations for "informal talks" in 2023. Should India consider joining AUKUS? Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=GYjG23UmNoA

Australia, the UK and US have announced they are considering including Japan in future AUKUS technology projects. Not the nuclear-powered submarines but the so-called "Pillar 2" of hi-tech military applications ranging from artifical intelligence and quantum computing to hypersonic weapons. Joining AUKUS would require improvements in Japanese security practices - especially its cyber security. 7.30's Sarah Ferguson interviews Defence Minister Richard Marles.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=7oS8orJgLcs

The future of Pacific alliances will be based on AUKUS style of agreements between trusted partners under a Trump presidency. Allies will include at least the likes of Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and the USA.

AUKUS alliance would be ‘reinforced’ under Donald Trump: Chris Miller

Former acting defense secretary Chris Miller claims the AUKUS defence alliance would be “reinforced” under Donald Trump if he wins the upcoming election.

Mr Miller said he thinks AUKUS is the “template” for what Mr Trump wants in a defence relationship.

“He would much prefer bilateral, trilateral, smaller relationships with trusted partners and allies.”

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=943jz0FgYFo

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
🇺🇸✖️🇹🇼 Trump treats Taiwan like Ukraine– Foreign Policy

Former US President Donald Trump has a different approach to the “independent island” due to dissatisfaction with the takeover of American semiconductor production, which moved to Taiwan.

He also questioned the economic feasibility of US defense of the island. But this opinion is not yet very popular in the White House.

❗️Trump's re-election is expected to make the position of the American administration more controversial. Some advisers may support a turn from Ukraine to Taiwan, while nothing prevents the remaining ones from promoting an isolationist course.

Lord of War

https://x.com/dana916/status/1814314396182618366

[BMJ]

Why Australia Is Key to the U.S. Military’s Plans to Counter China | WSJ

The WSJ
26/9/24

To prepare for a potential war over Taiwan, the U.S is increasing its military presence in Australia to a level not seen since World War 2. Taiwan is regarded by China as part of its territory and Beijing has vowed to take control of the island by force if necessary. What advantages does Australia’s geography offer the U.S. in a potential fight in the Asia-Pacific region?

WSJ looks at why Australia is becoming a strategic hub for U.S. forces.

Chapters:
0:00 The airbase
0:35 Australia’s strategic location
3:20 Exercises on the ground
4:00 The U.S.’s strategy in Asia Pacific

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=a3HhPU9DGsQ

[BMJ]

Accelerated delivery of AUKUS Pillar II Hypersonic Systems

Quote:
" Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have reached a milestone agreement to accelerate the testing of hypersonic vehicles and related technologies.

Under AUKUS Pillar II, the Hypersonic Flight Test and Experimentation (HyFliTE) Project Arrangement (PA) will enable the three nations to accelerate development, testing and evaluation of innovative hypersonic systems. ...

to develop and deliver offensive and defensive hypersonic technologies ... Hypersonic weapons are long-range strike missiles that can travel five times the speed of sound. They could be launched from the land, sea, or air. "

Link: https://www.defence.gov.au/news-even...rsonic-systems

[BMJ]

Into The Deep: Australia’s Submarine Gamble (AUKUS)

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=E9GTGT8Vdu0

Sky News Australia
Mar 7, 2025

The special investigation by Sky News examines the real story behind AUKUS, the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK and the US announced on 15 September 2021.

[Inversion]

Up to nineteen Chinese warships have surrounded Taiwan in a proclaimed drill. The Taiwanese have responded by deploying their own assets. It's potentially a blockade leading to an invasion.

dailymail

China has sent its army, navy, air and rocket forces to surround Taiwan for large-scale drills that Beijing said were aimed at practising a blockade of the island.

As many as 19 warships surrounded the self-ruled island in a space of just 24 hours, including the Shandong aircraft carrier group, Taiwan's defence ministry said.

Taiwan dispatched its own aircraft and ships, and deployed land-based missile systems, in response to the exercises and accused Beijing of being the world's 'biggest troublemaker'.

04/01/25 (3:54)

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZxQpaFasvok

[ExomatrixTV]

• source