I wouldn't have ever characterized Russia and China as allies, but this bothers me. I get the feeling that we're slipping deeper back into the Cold War (not that it ever really ended), only this time the U.S. would not only be up against our 'former' adversary, but also the up-and-coming new superpower in town. One of these days China's going to say enough is enough and invade/conquer/destroy Taiwan. Whether we like it or not, somehow we'll be sucked into the whole mess. China's bad enough as it is, but bringing Russia into it as well is even worse news.
China is no longer a sleeping giant, and we're certainly doing our part to make her stronger and teach her how to produce everything, ultimately I'm afraid, including military equipment that could compete with ours.
This sounds like Putin is trying to replace the income Russia was making off illegal oil sales with saddam hussein. Probably trying to shore up his support base after blowing it politically in the Ukraine also. What is really funny is that China is falling into the exact same trap that broke up the Soviet Union--Trying to outspend the U.S. militarily and develop even better weapons systems. If they were smart, they would spend the money on their country's infrastructure instead. They always worry about Taiwan being rebellious when they should worry about mainland provinces instead. China is headed for it's own rebellion and breakup like the Soviet Union and their obviously too blind and/or stupid to see it.
__________________
Jesus Christ--The reason for the season!
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
If you're certain you know everything, there's little opportunity to learn anything.
BTW, what happened in Ukraine? I've been off-line for several days, haven't caught up on world news, and am assuming the pro-western candidate won the election based on your comments.
Interesting observations CalHunter but I don't know that I could agree with all of them, especially the part about China headed for rebellion like the Soviet Union.
While I'm no scholar on either country, it seems to me that there's a significant historical difference in the two with Russia bringing a number of countries and disparate ethnic/religious groups under its sphere of influence.
China, on the other hand, seemed to have literally 'walled itself off' (excuse the pun) from the rest of the world and with the exception of North Korea, and to a lesser extent, Vietnam, hasn't appeared for some time to meddle in the affairs of others. I am, of course, excluding Taiwan here, as the Chinese feel that they never lost true sovereignty (sp?) of the island.
To me, if China ever faces a true rebellion, it will be one that's more likely based on a yearning for economic freedom against the government-imposed communist system.
The Ukraine opposition candidate has apparently won and is still committed to seeking further partnerships with the EU and western countries. He's said his first trip will be to Russia to maintain a good relationship with Putin and Russia but he is not going to allow Ukraine to be a puppet state for Russia.
__________________
Jesus Christ--The reason for the season!
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
If you're certain you know everything, there's little opportunity to learn anything.
To me, if China ever faces a true rebellion, it will be one that's more likely based on a yearning for economic freedom against the government-imposed communist system.
Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner here folks. China has stifled their country's economic prosperity, personal freedom and has been mismanaging their country since the communists took over. They are terrified of the outside world gaining any foothold in their country and are still trying to control every facet of their peoples' lives. Their rebellion will start as one for further economic "reforms' (i.e. freedom) and will continue into personal freedom. They may have the largest military in the world but their military is absolutely dwarfed by their population.
China is a sleeping giant that is going to wake up one day and decide that it doesn't want any more communist mismanagement or dictatorial rule. China always worries about Taiwan setting a bad example but they should worry instead about how crappy of a job they're doing right there in their own backyard. It may not happen this year or even this decade but China is overdue for a serious housecleaning from the inside. And when that happens, Kim Il Jung is going to absolutely ****e himself with worry. It will be a very funny thing to sit back, watch and enjoy.
__________________
Jesus Christ--The reason for the season!
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
If you're certain you know everything, there's little opportunity to learn anything.
To me, if China ever faces a true rebellion, it will be one that's more likely based on a yearning for economic freedom against the government-imposed communist system.
Communism is the reason the Chinese don't have economic freedom, hence the government's free-market reforms. But even as China continues to allow baby steps towards pseudo-capitalism, the people are still under Beijing's boot, and they know it. I think a rebellion would be about communism itself. It's all aspects of individual freedom that matter, not just economy.
China has stifled their country's economic prosperity
Do you realize that China has had 8%or better growth for along time now?
Quote:
Asian Development Bank (ADB) predicts that the growth of the Chinese economy will wind down for the rest of the year to produce an annual growth rate of 8.3 ...
wind down to 8.3%
__________________
You're only one post away from a federal watch list.
Russia to Join China in Military Exercises
It will be a very funny thing to sit back, watch and enjoy.
