The morons have already ruffled more than a few geopolitical feathers. Especially with China--the country whose name the demagogue often pronounced during the campaign as if it sounded like a short for woman's genitals! The only difference is that he loves those genitals so much that he grabs them when can!
The guy in his cabinet who will be the face of the country to the rest of the world--a slippery oil man--said a few things during his confirmation hearings that have pissed off the Chinese. In response, let me quote this China expert:
Normally, you would take these as childish antics that diplomats love to indulge in. Unfortunately, not so with China. One of the sad facts of Chinese society is that jingoism has been so drilled into the population that almost everybody seriously believes that the Chinese have been oppressed throughout history and that everybody is out to get them even now. With a highly controlled media, and no access to world perspectives, this is being fanned to a massive degree by the Communist Party. Look at the hatred of Japanese that has been whipped by a few rocks in the sea where not even goats live . So as long as this dangerous nationalism exists, China is always a threat.That quote is this friend-debater's response to my post from November 2012.
While I have been only a China-watcher, he has lived there for years and continues to follow the political developments. I assume he throws ping-pong and cricket balls at the screen when he hears the morons dump on China.
Anyway, the oil man who headed the company that systematically engaged in climate change denialism opened his big fat mouth in the Senate:
Tillerson told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday that China’s multibillion-dollar island-building campaign in the oil-and-gas rich sea was illegal and “akin to Russia’s taking of Crimea.”Of course the oil man is interested in that part of the world--it has lots of oil and natural gas. Which is why India too got into all that pissing match, remember? Will keep that discussion for another day. For now, the focus on China; its media responded as my China-watcher friend would have predicted:
“We’re going to have to send China a clear signal that, first, the island-building stops,” Mr. Tillerson told the senators. “And second, your access to those islands also is not going to be allowed.”
Should those words be translated into action after Donald J. Trump assumes the presidency on Jan. 20, it would be a remarkable change in the American approach to Beijing’s island-building in the South China Sea
It is not clear which point, among the many he made, he will prioritize. But it is worth looking at his remarks that China should not be allowed access to the islands, since this is the most radical statement from the US side so far.And then there is Taiwan!
China has enough determination and strength to make sure that his rabble rousing will not succeed. Unless Washington plans to wage a large-scale war in the South China Sea, any other approaches to prevent Chinese access to the islands will be foolish.
... As Trump has yet to be sworn in, China has shown restraint whenever his team members expressed radical views. But the US should not be misled into thinking that Beijing will be fearful of their threats.
Tillerson's statements regarding the islands in the South China Sea are far from professional. If Trump's diplomatic team shapes future Sino-US ties as it is doing now, the two sides had better prepare for a military clash.
Have a nice day, you crazy Republicans!
2 comments:
These guys are playing with fire and an escalation with China is what is fearing me more than anything else about the Trump Presidency. Whatever else he does is likely to be buffoonery or , at worst, affecting Americans. If he provokes China, all of us as world citizens will face the consequences. That would be enormously damaging.
Words like diplomacy, negotiations, etc are not in the lexicon of the incoming administrations. They believe that shouting and bullying will get them everywhere. They will learn soon, that it won't.
By the way, China's island building, the seven dash line claims and what it is doing in the South China Sea is just plain wrong and displays the worst of the Chinese nationalism and sea grab. And yet the way to stave it off is not to indulge in threats and bombast, but to engage in patient diplomacy to prevent it from spreading. Fat chance of this happening on Twitter.
"or , at worst, affecting Americans" ... thanks for letting me know that you don't care what happens to me!!! ;)
"They will learn soon, that it won't." You are an optimist, my friend. They will not learn. The Dear Leader's approach is that by behaving a certain way was how he won the election. The result further validates his approach, and he will continue along the same path--with more power now. The spineless and unprincipled Republicans will go along as well, as long as they get their tax cuts and making abortions more difficult if not outrightly illegal.
Yes, I agree with you that China is not on any moral ground either. But, just because China is doing something wrong, it is awfully bizarre and irresponsible for the demagogue and his minions to piss China off ...
Post a Comment