It's not that simple - NK as a country may not have had much to lose. But the leadership certainly did - they live pretty nice lives of luxury and get to run countries. The potential alternative was death. And yet the world was still uncertain how crazy they might be. It doesn't need to be much - even a 2% chance they might attack SK was enough to bring the world to the negotiating table. This statement by China won't do anything on its own. And obviously they aren't going to nuke Japan. But combine it with their actions in HK and probably more saber rattling in the future, and there could be some serious questions about how-far-is-China-willing-to-go. The more the west is concerned with that, the more leverage China has. The same is true in reverse - the farther the west is willing to go, the more leverage they have.
in a roundabout way, u have corroborated my point, which is that NK has nothing to lose China has everything to lose
Years ago, I used to tell my friends in China that they shouldn't be obsessed with what some western media say. You can't control that, and there will always be negativities, no matter how hard you try, justified or not. But now, China is all over US media, every single day, and it's pure negative. Less and less reporting, more and more propaganda and ranting with half-truth or even blatant lies. Does any sane person believe any country with decent living condition wants to start a nuclear war? Like some posters said that NK has nothing to lose, so they Will launch nuclear warhead if they are pushed too hard. Everyone knows it, so they are safe. Nobody bombs them to force a "democracy". That's why countries like Iran desperately seeks that ability. Xigua? Do you know they are similar to ByteDance (parent company of TikTok)? Some random guy said something wrong while getting support? CCP approved? CCP "approved" the channel for sure, otherwise, they will be illegal. But CCP approved every single stupid short video? How naïve or ignorant and pretending to be naïve can one be? When thousands stupid messages/clips broadcasted in US or UK, it's the freedom of speech flourishing. Similar stupidity shows up in Chinese language, it's well-orchestrated evil plan by CCP. It's pretty sad to me, as a Chinese American, to witness first hand, how mutual feelings from two sides, warmed up in the 80's, very cozy in the 90's and early 21st century, only deteriorated to current state - both sides almost hate each other. I guess it's inevitable - one side wants to remain single super power, and another side wants to challenge the status quo, no matter how it claims (earnestly or not). Ideology is just easy tool for US politicians. Chinese people throughout thousands years of history, never had and never will have a unified ideology, except for the Mao years. One might wonder how many people really believed in. Only in recent years, under Xi, official language started to mention more about socialism again, but communism hasn't been mentioned since Deng. "Trying to destroy American way of life" or American value? How cute of president Biden. Really? Since when are Chinese people so ambitious or caring so much about other people thousands miles away, and trying hard to tell others how to live and what to believe, or even force them? That's so un-Chinese, and so-American.
Not sure weather we are mixing goals with means. Ticking each other off or calling each other bluff, to gain leverage, but for what? Taiwan is a delicate matter with complicated history. I have relatives in Taiwan, and they never hesitate to admit they are Chinese. They may not like CCP, not they like Tsai or the ruling party in Taiwan either. But they, or any ordinary people, would hate war. Some nutcase mainland keyboard warriors shouting war or nuke on "CCP approved channels" would certainly piss in pants if they are sent to war. US and the majority of all countries don't officially recognize Taiwan as an independent country. That's the official position. PRC wants a reunification, peacefully. Force is the last thing CCP wants, but if Taiwan declares independence, CCP is forced to use force; otherwise, they might lose credibility facing the nation. People in Taiwan, some ignorant youth used to claim that mainland wants Taiwan for its economy, and now some say mainland wants TKMC. But in reality, Chinese people just have that huge history burden and simply wants a unification. Taiwan was the easiest card for US to play - sending a low level official or selling some weapons to Taiwan will gain a few points in return. So far, it's been working for several presidencies. But this time around, sending high level officials, and landing military plane (with military sign covered), is certainly escalating the provocation. I don't know how Biden weighs on the risk/return. What's the end goal? CCP giving up power or Chinese people inviting Americans to overthrow CCP? I don't think either will happen. I think Chinese government has given up on hope ever since how Huawei matter played out. No, China won't start a war if US sends more planes or officials or even Harris to Taiwan. But what does US gain? Maybe only played Taiwan politicians so high that they announce independence? Taiwan people may or may not want official independence, but I believe the majority won't want a war. So, keeping the status quo, is in the best interest of all freedom-loving, pro-democracy people. Americans welcome wars, because most wars in memory were carried out on foreign soils, so they don't feel that pain, as if self-claimed noble cause can justify those lost lives and destroyed homes/countries. If you ask me, I don't care TW is independent or united with mainland, but not at the cost of war.
I agree and have frequently said there is too much misunderstanding between the US and the PRC. I've warned that some seem eager to pursue a cold war with the PRC and frequently use the PRC to stoke their own nationalist tendencies or as a scapegoat for problems. I think this has very much been the case the past year when criticism of the PRC during the pandemic has blatantly been used to distract from the poor response that the US and other countries had. The irresponsible rhetoric has had a cost on ethnic Chinese and other ethnic Asians not even living in the PRC. That said though the CCP isn't merely a victim in all of this. Under Xi PRC policy has gotten more aggressive internationally and more suppressive internally. The centralization of power and suppression of dissent is real and while the PRC would like to say that these are interior matters that other countries have no business in those matters have implications world wide given how powerful the PRC economy is and how interconnected the World is. Consider Hong Kong. What happens there has an effect on World Markets given how important of a city it is. At the same time confrontations with neighbors and trading partners over things like the Spratleys reduces trust in the PRC. Saber rattling threats on Taiwan not only reduce trust but also negatively affect world markets. The PRC is a powerful country and it rightfully wants to take it's place as a leading country yet its rhetoric and actions often are like a small petty country that has to bully neighbors and can't stand any questioning of how it conducts things.
trump dumping the TTP was an enormous gift to Xi. It was such a blow to US interests, US foreign policy that I wondered at the time if Putin suggested it to him.
more aggressive internationally.?... you have to include this fake future nuke attack to describe China like that as an American... or let's compare who is more aggressive internationally between USA and China?
There is no righteous person, not even one. So PRC is certainly not just a victim, but it's important to look at things objectively, at least try to. At the time Patriotic Act got passed and Bush Jr. started war in Iraq based on some Tide powder, I was very concerned of that political trend. Kucinich, I believe was the only senate opposing that war? Nobody questioned the intelligence and evidence or lacking thereof? I don't think so. American elites are way smarter than that. But that was the politically correct thing to do, and it was votes ensuring. Freedom-loving, and religiously devoted politicians would not go up against the emotion of general public, because they know exactly what would happen even if it went wrong. We were all in this together, we were all misled, and it was a well-intended honest mistake. Still, Saddam was a bad guy and we got rid of him. Tens of thousands civilians lost home and even lives during that honest mistake? Well, $hit happens, besides they are Muslims and might be Saddam supporters. International community? As long as we remain to be the baddest bada$$ on the block, we will call the shots. Who's gonna do what to us? Oh, did I forget to mention that we really care about Muslims? The reason I said I didn't like that trend, was because that was how Culture Revolution started. Mao was under criticism, and instead of owning up to his mistakes during the Great Leap Forward, he simply rallied general public to beat down his political opponents. That's pure democracy for you, isn't it? The majority decide the fate of the minority. People don't want to or dare to speak the truth, instead, they always say the "right" thing. CCP is bad, as long as you play to that music, no matter how ridiculous your claim might be, you will find supporters and more importantly, financial support. Speaking of Hong Kong, I see pictures and videos from both sides, do you? Do general Americans see? Do they even care? As I mentioned before, random people on the street got asked about whether we should bomb Saskachewan. They all gave a sounding yes, and some even gave reasons, but none of them knew where it was (a province in Canada). It was funny at the time, but it was also sad to see how much "value" average Joe really weigh on others' life. I told a HK young man to imagine doing what they did in NYC to NYPD - ganging up with laser beam on police, or beating police with umbrella, paying teenagers (hundreds of them if not thousands) to wear yellow vests to act as journalists and stop police, or faking injuries (that "blinded" female hero suffered under HK police brutality showed up in Taiwan later without a scratch) to attract foreign press, or publishing residence of police officers etc etc. When mainland Chinese see those blatant one-sided "reporting", what do you expect them to view Western "free press"? Even those pro-Western scholars, who studied or worked abroad before, were silenced. No, not by CCP, but rather shut up by those one-sided "reporting". They can't say that's balanced or well-intended with conscious. Things like that actually tightens the bond between CCP and Chinese people. With Xi going after corruptions with determination and real results at the same time, support is at all time high. It's dangerous to play up this cold war rhetoric, coz at some point, leaders/politicians can't stop the giant rolling snowball any more. Any president wants peace with PRC, opposition party won't allow it, and own party worrying about votes won't allow it. Same thing for PRC, even if Xi and Co want to calm down, but when nationalism is totally rallied up and loudest nutcases in society will be the main voice. What I always say to Chinese friends is US never wanted any inch of Chinese land, but Russia and Japan are completely different, so there is no reason to make America a real enemy. But in a storm of historical events, individuals don't matter. Hopefully leaders on both sides take the risk seriously, and for the sake of own people, keep it at mud-sling but never go to war. China has sent people to the moon, and built hundreds of thousands miles of high-speed railway around the country, while lifting tens of millions of own people out of poverty. They may be the 2nd largest economy by size, but when you look at the industries closely, there are so many areas including or especially in manufacturing (not mass production part), they are way behind and relying heavily on technology and key components from US, Japan, and EU. It's very immature for chest-ponding bravado. Huawei mobile phone is a prime example. No matter how hard they promote the camera quality (Leica) and strong sales, but once US put a stop on its chips and OS, its position was overtaken almost over-night. It was humiliating for PRC and also a wake-up call. That's when PRC has given up hope on going back to good days. That actually strengthened CCP's will and silenced those dovish voices. It's as clear as daylight to many Chinese, from average Wang to officials. US wants China to be an enemy, and they have to get better and stronger sooner to be a real enemy. US is always in the driver's seat. I just hope there will be no war between US and China in my life time. End of ranting/
The US has at least 3 Nuclear subs sitting in International waters if the coast of China. It will be a very short retaliatory strike travel distance. Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and others won’t exist 20-30 minutes later.
China won't attack these countries, where else would they steal intellectual properties and ideas from?? Think about it, what have the made since gunpowder and noodles back in the day? America made everything else. And we got Elon and Jeff.
The whole idea that Taiwan wants to declare Independence or defend themselves from invasion is pure hogwash. They don't even have enough conscripts to run the kits they're buying from the US. Outside politicians, I think Taiwanese abroad are the most vocal about Independence to the point of backing someone like Trump as a mythical savior/defender. That's also a pipe dream no one should bet on. As much as China claims they want unification, it's mostly rhetoric to rile their base, akin to retaking Palestine without legitimately lifting a finger to get there. Seriously, if there is unification, what excuse will China use as justification for being dicks to their neighbors... Well the list continues growing, such as provoking Indians by building camps on neutral territory or building artificial islands on the South China Sea to squat and exploit maritime traditions. All in all, Taiwan and Tibet gives them an excuse for pretending to be an insecure victim while hiding behind their dubious schemes and running down the credit of goodwill they earned up until the Beijing Olympics. Yeah, that image of China faded away fast. Poor Yao doesn't even try speaking and doing his thing as a bridge anymore, and I don't blame him.
i guess China will notice the threat from the warmonger country and will work on building more nuclear weapons.
They are making race and ethnic targeting bio weapons. Just wait until they use it on specific groups that aren't Han Chinese.
