This was 1979. After the US-Vietnam war. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Vietnamese_War I guarantee you if China could then or at anytime since, they will flex their muscles. They couldn't and they still can't.
One thing you need to understand about the PRC is that they are for the most part a pragmatic regime especially since Deng. While the PRC has built up their military power they are much much more interested in economic and soft power. They understand that any major military move towards their neighbors will be hurt the East Asian economy and in that sense they will try to avoid a military solution. I will point to the Diaoyutai / Senkaku Islands as an example. While there is lots of rhetoric back and forth over them there has been no serious military moves on either the PRC or Japan. Both countries are aware that while these islands, pretty much just large rocks, are important for fishing and possible mineral rights its not worth it to go to war.
One thing you need to understand is the PRC will use economic and soft power WHEN they can't use military. It has been true since ancient time. You need to learn more before presuming to tell me such *****.
Taiwan's Ma Sends Message to China Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou used the occasion of an important and politically sensitive date in Chinese history to call on China to embrace democracy, as Taiwan's opposition ratchets up criticism of his closeness to Beijing ahead of elections early next year. Mr. Ma's call isn't new, but it came on the 100th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution, when the Qing Dynasty was overthrown and China's first republic was established. full article
I'm disappointed that you would characterize my comment in my post about China building up its navy and air force "by hook or by crook" as "bordering on the old "Yellow Horde" paranoia that has marked much of US PRC relations." With all due respect, what bull ****. It was a reference to China's avid, and successful, attempts to hack their way into the computer systems of the various national security entities (the Pentagon, etc.) of the US, our defense industries, and those of our allies. I understand why they are doing it, and they aren't alone, but they are more blatant and aggressive in doing so than any other country I'm aware of. Yellow Peril? Give me a ****ing break! "Again I don't want to say the PRC is right in regard to these territorial issues but their actions are far different than the actions of what are generally considered imperial powers. While their actions aren't necessarily reassuring for regional peace your post strikes me as more alarmist rhetoric calling for containment of the PRC." So you don't want to say "China is right" and you do say "their actions aren't necessarily reassuring for regional peace," but my complaining about their actions is "more alarmist rhetoric calling for containment of the PRC." Uh, OK. Whatever you say. It seems that I have to pick my words very, very carefully when posting about China. Why am I not surprised? As for Singapore, their arms purchases have gone up 146% since 2000. Their arms purchases may have nothing to do with China, as you said, but may be in response to the arms buildup of nations surrounding them. That arms buildup, however, has a lot to do with China. So at least indirectly, China may be driving Singapore's interest in purchasing military equipment. In my opinion, of course, and using part of your own reasoning with regards to Singapore, and hoping that, somehow, I haven't used a word that gets you exercised.
I'm pretty sure they are all different people unless they are vampires that can live for centuries. I think you better go read a history book or start with wikipedia.
Didn't make it past three sentences, sorry. I just assumed based on some vague recollection of your past nonsensical ramblings. Not really...no. I think it's strange you would even think that way.
You might be right but that is still speculative that they are only using economic and soft power because they can't use military. THe facts stand though that they are not behaving like other imperial powers and you have done nothing to counter that other than your opinion and to site ancient times. Just to add SunsRocketsFan is correct to note that 1949 isn't ancient. There is a difference between the Peoples Republic of China and ancient times. I see you are living up to your moniker.
I don't think that is much of a stretch as such language has characterized much of US PRC relations. Further this post doesn't seem to counter that impression. The PRC and its role in Asia and the world is very complicated and I think a reading of their actions as solely being destabilizing isn't correct and is often the justification for advocating a containment strategy. The PRC like any other country has some big interests which they seek to enforce using a variety of strategies that said they have a HUGE interest in stability to the point that I think often leads them to problems. As I have said before I am not going to say that PRC territorial claims are right but at the same time Id don't see them acting in a way that is dangerously destabilizing and in general almost every country in East and SE Asia are interested in preserving economic stability. Those economic ties are the biggest barrier to actual war breaking out between nations like the PRC, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam and etc.. That might be so but it seems somewhat stretched. Singapore has always been concerned about Malaysia and Indonesia and there have been several incidents in the last 10 years that have stoked that concern.
So, in about a year and half the US has sold around 12 billion dollars worth of military supplies, etc. to Taiwan -- that's a whole lot of upgrades.
Dude, I cited: Vietnam-Chinese border war 1979, 1980's. Not ancient. Tibet, not ancient. Spratly Islands, not ancient. Taiwan, not ancient. How many times do I have to repeat that before you get it?
