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Comment by ganeshkrishnan | Hacker News Reader

No chance in hell it's going to Ukraine. If Russia loses, there is a nuclear powered chaotic nation right next to China which will be it's worst nightmare. There is less than zero possibility of China sending anything to Ukraine.

These statements are just to mislead the public into thinking they are supporting ukraine.

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I think there is already a nuclear powered chaotic nation right next to China. Why would Russia be more dangerous if they lose than if they win?

I think the idea is that Putin is a stabilizing factor (well, "better the devil you know" might be more accurate), and Russian losing in Ukraine means Putin losing, terminally.

> Ukraine means Putin losing, terminally

Why is that the case?

I mean, we've already seen one rebellion over the war not going so well.

I'm not sure that an ultra-nationalist electing to launch territory-grabbing wars aggression is viewed by anyone as a stabilizing factor. My guess is that China's realpolitik calculation is to give Russia enough rope to hang itself, then they can quietly scoop up, er, "offer humanitarian assistance to," its eastern half.

Putin has been surprisingly tenacious, I'd speculate even in losing the war he'd still be around as long as his body will permit.

One could argue that there are 3 or maybe even 4 nuclear powered chaotic nations that border China

>I think there is already a nuclear powered chaotic nation right next to China.

Four, in fact!

I don't think some random Alibaba seller gives a crap about foreign policy over their bottom line.

There is a large amount of nationalism within China.

To the point where they will destroy products, livestock, equipment, etc; that would be thought to be for China's "enemies" ie: Japan.

It'll just take a moment for the message to get out, and then they'll be rallied to a new hatred, if they need be.

While they certainly had some really bad practices in the past, and I am no fan of the Chinese government, I find it hard to believe (and condescending) that today they are so cartoonishly self-destructive.

What experience do you have with Chinese society?

I'd suggest you go investigate before dismissal.

I said government, not society. And extensive, by the way. I have worked with Chinese partners over months. There is a cultural difference for sure, and substantial parts of it that I find onerous, but nothing I would consider to be "foolishly self destructive". And this is all coming from a privileged position.

Nationalism hasn’t stopped DJI.

There were already cases where Ukrainians used repurposed drones that looked very similar to various Alibaba listings.

If russia can buy American chips and Dutch lithography machines through 3rd countries, sure Ukraine can get some drone on ali.

Suddenly some farmers in * get obscure country from the list * will decide it’s a good idea to deliver pesticides from the air because reasons. For sure supplier will see right through it and will care about plausible deniability first.

The whole titanium cia story happens more often than it doesn’t

I can think of "one big client in UKR [Ukraine]" which isn't Ukraine and is already using this kind of drone.

"big client in Ukraine" could conceivably mean Russian military/mercenary forces who are literally in Ukraine, having invaded Ukraine.

Maybe a confusing way of phrasing it due to translation?

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