Hong Kong

[Scouse]

He knows enough @Deebs to understand that he doesn't like the UK's offer of allowing outraged migrants to come to the UK with no wage caps and that's why he's "posing the question" on how great the "outrage" is - it's transparently his first step to belittle the situation, en route to saying stuff that would support migrants not coming to the UK.

Think of it this way: on what other subject has Job said he "doesn't know enough".

 

[Scouse]

Australia's looking at extending something similar apparently.

(I'd link, but CBA switching to Chrome)

 

[Deebs]

Australia's looking at extending something similar apparently.

(I'd link, but CBA switching to Chrome)

Glenn.

 

[Deebs]

Australia's looking at extending something similar apparently.

(I'd link, but CBA switching to Chrome)

Here you go

Australia drafting plan to offer safe haven to Hong Kong residents, Scott Morrison says

Country prepared to follow UK’s lead ‘to step up and provide support’, PM says

www.theguardian.com

 

[BloodOmen]

Global.

The US has applied sanctions overnight subject to Senate/tRump approval.

The point is that China has basically reneged on a 50year law (1985 Sino-British joint declaration) agreed between the UK and China over the rights of HK citizens.

I have zero sympathy for China at this point, or that cunt they call a president Winnie the Pooh.

 

[Hawkwind]

Such a foreseeable tragedy, especially considering the British could have legally kept the island. Only the mainland New Territories were leased from China. Unfortunately, the UK Govt had an all or nothing policy to the situation.

 

[DaGaffer]

Such a foreseeable tragedy, especially considering the British could have legally kept the island. Only the mainland New Territories were leased from China. Unfortunately, the UK Govt had an all or nothing policy to the situation.

The Island without the New Territories was unsustainable; the Chinese could just switch off the water supply at will.

 

[Embattle]

The feasibility of keeping the island at the time was for all practical purposes zero.

 

[dysfunction]

It doesn't really surprise me at all. China was going to do this at some point. It can't stand having a free state that can do what it likes.

 

[Deebs]

It doesn't really surprise me at all. China was going to do this at some point. It can't stand having a free state that can do what it likes.

Taiwan?

 

[DaGaffer]

Taiwan?

Unlike HK, Taiwan actually has teeth. It will probably happen eventually, but it will be a proper shooting war, and China isn't quite ready for that yet. Two things first; once they are the largest global economy (by some measures they already are), and then if they can successfully kick everyone out of the South China Sea, then Taiwan is doomed.

 

[dysfunction]

Yes with Hong Kong being eroded it's quite likely Taiwan will follow

 

[Deebs]

Unlike HK, Taiwan actually has teeth. It will probably happen eventually, but it will be a proper shooting war, and China isn't quite ready for that yet. Two things first; once they are the largest global economy (by some measures they already are), and then if they can successfully kick everyone out of the South China Sea, then Taiwan is doomed.

Indeed and Australia is looking to spend a lot more on its defence budget. Unfortunately sanctions against China won't really hurt considering most of the world relies on it for something.

 

[Scouse]

Indeed and Australia is looking to spend a lot more on its defence budget. Unfortunately sanctions against China won't really hurt considering most of the world relies on it for something.

Take the hit globally. Ban imports.

Capitalism needs complete and total reform if mankind is going to survive. Perhaps that should start by neutering an authoritarian state's economy by stopping the imports of cheap, low quality, disposable goods made under slave labour conditions?

 

[Deebs]

Take the hit globally. Ban imports.

Capitalism needs complete and total reform if mankind is going to survive. Perhaps that should start by neutering an authoritarian state's economy by stopping the imports of cheap, low quality, disposable goods made under slave labour conditions?

Most countries will not be able to afford to do that though. What about the population who can only afford the cheaper things in life which are mass made in China? The CoronaVirus pandemic showed just how much of the world is reliant on the sweatshop countries to the East.

It has to stop but needs to be a global and concerted effort if it is to be achieved.

 

[Bodhi]

Interestingly we work with a lot of Global Manufacturers at work, and China is not the cheapest place to make things any more by a long shot. Many are looking at Eastern Europe as a way to cut costs and get away from the CCP snooping on everything, and the Great Firewall.

 

[Scouse]

Most countries will not be able to afford to do that though. What about the population who can only afford the cheaper things in life which are mass made in China?

Don't let your countries buy cheap disposable shit of all kinds and rebalance capitalism to provide what we need, as opposed to the countless fripperies that we transiently want.

If capitalism can't provide for eveyone's *needs* cost-effectively we may as well let China win.


On a wider note - part of the reason I think we're fucked is there is zero acceptance that lifestyle changes are part of what's required. We cannot continue to consume shit. And, frankly, shit and tat is almost all we consume in the west.

We need to pivot to a sustainable consumptive model that allows us to lead rich and fulfilling lives with a global economic model that doesn't require us to act like fucking magpies - needing us to buy whatever vacuous but shiny item we temporarily desire.

 

[Job]

China is investing heavily in Africa as its next cheap workhouse, have you seen the infrastructure they are putting in, so Africans become 'slaves' again...but in reality its the foot in the door for real prosperity.

China-Africa Development Fund (CADFund): Meaning, Objectives

The China-Africa Development Fund (CADFund), established in June 2007, is the first Chinese equity investment fund that focuses on investments in Africa.

www.investopedia.com

What China Is Really Up To In Africa

As Africa urbanizes rapidly the presence of Chinese construction teams have become virtually ubiquitous. Is China sharing their expertise and helping lift Africa out of poverty or laying a debt-trap that many countries will struggle to break free of?

www.forbes.com

 

[Embattle]

Hong Kong: China threatens retaliation against UK for offer to Hongkongers

Beijing says Britain will ‘bear all consequences’ of helping fleeing Hongkongers

www.theguardian.com

 

[Deebs]

Hong Kong: China threatens retaliation against UK for offer to Hongkongers

Beijing says Britain will ‘bear all consequences’ of helping fleeing Hongkongers

www.theguardian.com

That is fucked up right there, showing their true colours. You cannot and should not be able to stop someone from moving to another country if they want and are eligible to do so.

 

[Embattle]

I think it is the notion that we need to stick with the agreement after they've clearly flouted it that is another sign of the Chinese governments true colours.

 

[Bodhi]

Hong Kong: China threatens retaliation against UK for offer to Hongkongers

Beijing says Britain will ‘bear all consequences’ of helping fleeing Hongkongers

www.theguardian.com

Have they threatened to take the couple of million remaining Jeremy Corbyn enthusiasts off us?

 

[BloodOmen]

Yes with Hong Kong being eroded it's quite likely Taiwan will follow

Taiwan won't go quietly though, it won't be another Hong Kong with bottles being thrown, it'll be full on bloodshed with guns, knives etc.

 

[BloodOmen]

Hong Kong: China threatens retaliation against UK for offer to Hongkongers

Beijing says Britain will ‘bear all consequences’ of helping fleeing Hongkongers

www.theguardian.com

China can't do fuck all. The moment they try the international community will come down on their economy like a ton of bricks.

All China gives a fuck about is money, it's not exactly hard to hit China where it hurts.

" Earlier on Thursday, China’s ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, also said any move to grant residency to BNO holders would be a violation of agreements between the two countries."

Also, that part is fucking hilarious. Fucking hypocrites, they've literally just violated arguably the most important part of why Hong Kong was given up and they have the audacity to say that?

The Chinese are like fucking children they are.

 

[Wij]

Taiwan isn’t Britain’s to give away. Totally different situation. The Republic of China considers the People’s Republic to be the illegitimate state.

 

[BloodOmen]

Taiwan isn’t Britain’s to give away. Totally different situation. The Republic of China considers the People’s Republic to be the illegitimate state.

It's true but other nations recognize Taiwan as being separate and as such won't stand by and watch it get bulldozed.

 

[DaGaffer]

Taiwan won't go quietly though, it won't be another Hong Kong with bottles being thrown, it'll be full on bloodshed with guns, knives etc.

Taiwan has a bigger army and air force than the UK, if not as capable (and 1.5 million reservists), and they've made the Formosa Strait a giant minefield. The PLA would undoubtedly overwhelm them in the end, but it would be extremely bloody.

 

[Scouse]

Taiwan has a bigger army and air force than the UK, if not as capable (and 1.5 million reservists), and they've made the Formosa Strait a giant minefield. The PLA would undoubtedly overwhelm them in the end, but it would be extremely bloody.

We're such a fucking dumb animal