China starts military drills around Taiwan as 'harsh punishment' | Hacker News Reader

China starts military drills around Taiwan as 'harsh punishment'

ft.com

11 pointsstarwin11599 comments

I believe this military exercise is a response by the PRC to the inauguration speech by Lai. Lai essentially stated that the PRC-controlled mainland and ROC-controlled Taiwan are both sovereign, whereas the previous Taiwan president, Tsai, from the same party, used more ambiguous language regarding sovereignty and only emphasized governance (Yes, there are a lot of nuances in the wording of this relationship). This statement can be construed as an attempt to change the status quo. (We are referring to a third-party definition of the status quo, because the official PRC stance is that Taiwan is part of China, so even taking Taiwan by force is not considered a change of the status quo.) The PRC likely waited to see Lai's speech, checked if it aligned with Tsai's rhetoric, and prepared a response accordingly.

I think Lai's speech was not the most extreme because it contained little mention of "democracy vs. autocracy," which is something even the current US administration would find provocative. However, this speech would still warrant a response from the PRC, at least from the perspective of internal PR, because it differs from Tsai's approach, and they cannot let it go unnoticed.

>I think Lai's speech was not the most extreme because it contained little mention of "democracy vs. autocracy,

PRC doesn't care about democracy vs autocracy framing. It cares about sovereignty framing. It's the "changing status quo" part PRC cares about, the kind of language US strategic ambiguity would used to slap TW politicians for, but likely won't. So yes, this was an extreme speech relative to Tsai. PRC probably going normalize bigger slices past medium line.

China could win so much goodwill internationally if it just stopped threatening to invade Taiwan. You'd think the CPC would have learned from Europe's divorce from Russia but they still continue to choose belligerence at all costs. It's deeply hurting their image on the global stage and will only continue to isolate them economically and politically.

Between Ukraine, Gaza, and Taiwan, it seems as if both major powers and the minor power (US, China, Russia) are racing to burn off goodwill. Not sure what to make of it. I guess a uh, falling tide lowers all boats?

China desires to control the waters around their mainland. Lines drawn halfway between the Chinese main and their nearest neighbors will not satisfy them after 100 Years of Humiliation.

We can imagine what would be if only the East India Trading Company had not pushed opium on the Chinese, but they did.

I am worried this is lef to the US to clean up, much like Vietnam was left to the US to clean up after the French Foreign Legion recruited the worst of Hitler's SS after WW2 to pacify French Indo-China.

I lost an uncle in the Vietnam war, but I am concerned a conflaguration with China will be closer in scale and casualties to WW2 where one branch of my family lost 11 of 13 sons, including some famous heroes.

No. China would be vilified by the west regardless as its economic growth and size fundamentally threatens the US-led existing international order.

If China tries Taiwan, all hell will erupt. "From above so below," as it were. Best for China (and Taiwan) if China relaxes a bit.

Seriously. Chill with this cold war posturing. The toys are too dangerous, with too little visibility or oversight.

Personally, I think they should just start helping Hawaii and Puerto Rico gain their independence instead of taking it out on the sea.

Basically the Russian strategy in Europe.

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