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China and Taiwan blockade

(42 Posts)
Katie59 Thu 04-Aug-22 10:47:38

China has begun “exercises” to blockade Taiwan, this is how the Ukraine crisis started, they are probably not going to invade this time but they have seen how impotent the West is to deter this sort of intimidation. The US has pledged to defend Taiwan, is that an empty promise, I just don’t see them confronting China.

It matters to us because so much of our everyday needs are manufactured in China, so either sanctions or trade restrictions would have an immediate impact.

nanna8 Fri 05-Aug-22 01:52:51

Quite a few of them, Call. Also they are looking at PNG, our close neighbours in the North. Scary. Our new government are better at foreign policy than their predecessors, so I hope they might be able to negotiate rather than just put their backs up. They are very, very powerful and we in Australia are very weak as regards military power.

Katie59 Fri 05-Aug-22 07:20:45

I’m sure Australia will be fine for now as long as they obey the Chinese demands, Now that they have a navy to challenge the US they are going to be busy taking over territory closer to home.
The US military is in no condition to confront China in their own backyard, they are far to busy being woke and inclusive, so they will sit on their hands.

foxie48 Fri 05-Aug-22 09:00:28

China is doing two things with this activity off the coast of Taiwan. They are showing strength to their own citizens, don't forget China is also having a slow down of growth and although their huge population is an asset it is also difficult to keep under control and they are testing the reactions of the rest of the world. FWIW they also have massive ports in Algeciras and Hambantota in Sri Lanka. They are everywhere so we cannot pretend their belligerence isn't a threat to us all.

Katie59 Sat 06-Aug-22 21:02:03

From the Spectator

If a naval blockade gave Beijing control of the export of the island’s semiconductor industry, then western leaders would find themselves beholden to China to keep their economies going. Russia’s use of gas to dampen western opposition to its actions in Ukraine would be dwarfed by China’s ability to hold the world to ransom through control of Taiwan’s chips.

Why wouldn’t they blockade Taiwan a classic undercut the opposition, then hostile take over the rest. If it does happen we play by their rules for many years.

Callistemon21 Sat 06-Aug-22 21:21:37

nanna8

Quite a few of them, Call. Also they are looking at PNG, our close neighbours in the North. Scary. Our new government are better at foreign policy than their predecessors, so I hope they might be able to negotiate rather than just put their backs up. They are very, very powerful and we in Australia are very weak as regards military power.

I hope so, it's very worrying, nanna8.
However, the State Premiers seem to have a lot of power

Milest0ne Sun 07-Aug-22 11:57:17

One report said when China takes back Taiwan into the fold it will respect the democratic system in Taiwan. JUST LIKE IT DID IN HONG KONG ?
It is difficult to try and avoid buying anything made in china. I do try.
On holiday in New Zealand it was difficult to find any souvenirs which were not made in China .
Shall we start another buy British campaign?

Witzend Sun 07-Aug-22 12:03:21

Admittedly it was in the days of Mao, but I well remember our geography teacher telling us very emphatically that, ‘China is public - enemy - number - one!’

valchoc Sun 07-Aug-22 12:07:06

Wasn't it written "The meek shall inherit the earth "? JUST SAYING.

nanna8 Sun 07-Aug-22 12:16:31

Well that rules China out - they are certainly not meek and they like to persecute Christians.

Callistemon21 Sun 07-Aug-22 13:35:20

nanna8

Well that rules China out - they are certainly not meek and they like to persecute Christians.

And Muslims.

CShotnik Sun 07-Aug-22 14:26:37

Yes, we hope the US will defend Taiwan!

I’m in Denver,CO and not happy with the current administration. Makes one wonder if Nancy P. didn’t go over to Taiwan to initiate the Chinese takeover? I know we can’t knuckle under to China, but was that visit really a necessary visit or a publicity stunt?

Remove Putin.

Gabrielle56 Sun 07-Aug-22 16:18:28

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Gabrielle56 Sun 07-Aug-22 16:24:16

CShotnik

Yes, we hope the US will defend Taiwan!

I’m in Denver,CO and not happy with the current administration. Makes one wonder if Nancy P. didn’t go over to Taiwan to initiate the Chinese takeover? I know we can’t knuckle under to China, but was that visit really a necessary visit or a publicity stunt?

Remove Putin.

You cannot go about simply " removing" people you don't like!!! USA is so simplistic! Remember Saddam? That went well without ANY plan to replace regime!?! The USA had to be goaded and almost shamed into supporting Ukraine had it not been Russia invading I doubt USA would have given 2 figs about war in Europe, , talking a good fight isn't actually fighting you know!

Gabrielle56 Sun 07-Aug-22 16:31:43

Milest0ne

One report said when China takes back Taiwan into the fold it will respect the democratic system in Taiwan. JUST LIKE IT DID IN HONG KONG ?
It is difficult to try and avoid buying anything made in china. I do try.
On holiday in New Zealand it was difficult to find any souvenirs which were not made in China .
Shall we start another buy British campaign?

Our neighbour in 60s worked for Colston electric who started the IM BACKING BRITAIN?? campaign remember that!? We've precious little to "back" nowadays we have willingly let China corner every market we need and now it greedy cheapskate ways are coming home to roost, they e even been allowed to buy up tracts of land either side of non existent HS2 corridor, it's probably not even going to be built!

dirgni Sun 07-Aug-22 19:24:02

Why oh why does everyone seem hell bent on starting WW3? So so very scary!!

Katie59 Mon 08-Aug-22 07:05:41

I’m afraid IF China decides to maintain a de facto blockade on Taiwan - that is controlling what goes in and out, there is nothing that anyone can do.