China claims a big win over Taiwan (Thanks to President Bush)

CNN.com International ^ | 12-16-03 | Willy Wo-Lap Lam

[tallhappy]

The Chinese leadership's interpretation of Bush's brief public statement, which will likely be disputed by Washington, has far-reaching significance for cross-Straits and for Sino-U.S. relations.

At least from Beijing's viewpoint, Bush's switch from "not supporting" to "opposing" Taiwan separatism -- as well as ancillary steps such as conducting plebiscites -- could be used to justify harsh steps, including military ones, the CCP leadership may take against the self-ruled island.

[Jim Cane]

Perception is reality. The Chicoms percieve the U.S. as weakening.

They will take Taiwan.

[RLK]

We've finally got the Americans right where we want them," said a senior Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Politburo member...

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That's been evident for some period.

[RLK]

The Chicoms percieve the U.S. as weakening. They will take Taiwan.

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The U. S. IS weakening. Before this is over they'll take a lot more than just Taiwan.

[ARCADIA]

Bush has his money from everyone who is selling out americans to manufacture in China....what does he care?

[GluteusMax]

Selling out our allies for Wal Mart junk. How nice.

[Bosco]

People have said "we have Bush where we want him" on various occasions and it has not ended the way they wanted it to.

Let's see what happens with China/Taiwan. For the record, I'd like to see an independent Taiwan.

[I still care]

I heard Bush's China speech. It was a masterpiece, and I think one of the best speeches I ever heard.

Basically, he lectured freedom and democracy in China, especially religious freedom. He spoke about how freedom of speech actually makes a nation stronger, not weaker.

I think Bush spoke for China as part of a deal as far as China interfering with N Korea and the nuclear problem, which is a priority. But I don't think they can take it to the bank.

[Blzbba]

"I think Bush spoke for China as part of a deal as far as China interfering with N Korea and the nuclear problem, which is a priority. But I don't think they can take it to the bank. "


100% agreement. Hopefully, the Pentagon learned in Korea War I that the last thing the invading American troops need to see are Chinese troops crossing the Korean border. By selling out Taiwan, I think he's making an under-the-table deal with the Chinese so that they won't interfere -- and may even support -- an invasion of North Korea.

I'd hate to be a Taiwanese citizen about now...

[RLK]

By selling out Taiwan, I think he's making an under-the-table deal with the Chinese so that they won't interfere -- and may even support -- an invasion of North Korea.

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If we sell out enough of our friends, an invasion by our adversaries won't even be necessary, dummy.

[jordan8]

The Chinese think strategically and long-term, what is best for China and the Chinese culture. What do Western leaders work for? What is best for the multi-cultural land mass once occupied by their former nations and peoples? Chinese leaders are working to put China on top for a long time, American leaders tactically work to keep the U.S. on top, keep the economic numbers looking good, during their tenure (like the CEO who's only concern is the quarterly statement) while they work strategically to dissolve their nation and culture. This is a tendency of democracy: value the now at the expense of the future. But it really only becomes deadly when mixed with the one-world multi-culti pipe dreams that have seized the imaginations of the Western elite. One world government, the nation-state is obsolete, borders are unfair and bad for business, can't we all just get along, etc. The Chinese watch in amazement and wait.

[Blzbba]

"If we sell out enough of our friends, an invasion by our adversaries won't even be necessary, dummy."


Who's talking about an invasion BY our adversaries, you dummy? Please READ what I typed: I'm referring to a potential invasion OF North Korea BY the USA.

dummy.

[RLK]

Who's talking about an invasion BY our adversaries, you dummy? Please READ what I typed: I'm referring to a potential invasion OF North Korea BY the USA.

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They're getting everything they want out of it. If we invade North Korea we'll only stop the starvation and build it up for the reds.

[dfwgator]

Hey Beijing enjoy your Phyrric victory. The future of China lies in the Taiwanese people, who will one day run the businesses of a free China. I believe keeping Taiwan and China linked together is the best hope for ultimately bringing freedom to the mainland. There are many business contacts that go on between the two, and Taiwan's economy is much more robust than China's. If China took over Taiwan, the economy on the mainland would collapse.

[dfwgator]

In international relations there are no friends, only interests.

[gcruse]

We are brave enough when it comes to deposing tin pot dictators and routing desert theocrats. In the face of China, America has gone weak in the knees. This will have a cost.

[taiwansemi]

Time is running out for Taiwan. Every Taiwanese youngster today knows that his personal economic future is inextricably linked to the mainland. He is likely to even marry a mainland wife. The basis for Taiwan's democracy all along was the wealth and middle-class lifestyle that Taiwan's hi-tech, export-based "economic miracle" produced over the past several decades. Now, that entire hi-tech industrial base is being transferred to the maindland wholesale. Soon, there'll be no industry left in Taiwan except Taiwanese boy bands and rice farming. Taiwan's standard of living is already declining, its economy is wasting away, and its tax revenues and military budgets are shrinking. An island of 23 mil. cannot compete economically (and, thus, militarily) with a nation of 1.3 bil. indefinitely. America wants to hook its economic future onto the mainland's fast economic growth story over the next several decades, not Taiwan's no-growth, Asian boy-band story. Chen's making some noises now, but Taiwan's economic future is inextricably linked to the mainland.

[Cronos]

Time is running out for Taiwan. Every Taiwanese youngster today knows that his personal economic future is inextricably linked to the mainland

ooh, more communist propaganda. Russ -- doesn't this sound very much like Soviet style gloss?