mrmom2 said:
How terrible! Just who do those Chinese think they are? Do they honestly think they have a right to defend themselves or something? Sure the US has the right to bear arms, but that wasn't supposed to apply to China now, was it?
China warns the US.....
- Thread starter Ocean Breeze
- Start date
How terrible! Just who do those Chinese think they are? Do they honestly think they have a right to defend themselves or something? Sure the US has the right to bear arms, but that wasn't supposed to apply to China now, was it?
mrmom2 said:
How terrible! Just who do those Chinese think they are? Do they honestly think they have a right to defend themselves or something? Sure the US has the right to bear arms, but that wasn't supposed to apply to China now, was it?
Jay said:
You do realize, don't you, that if Taiwan should declare itself independent from China, and the CCP did nothing about it, the Chinese people themselves would be pushing the government to do something about it?
Sure Beijing could try to play politics and just saber rattle without doing anything concrete, or maybe declare an embargo or some other symbolic measure just to show the population it's doing something about it so as to get the people off its back. In fact, knowing how much Chinese love to bluff, this could just be a bluff too just to win points among the population.
Consider likewise that if the mainland ever did declare war against Taiwan, there'd be no telling how the soldiers on either side might respond. What would happen, let's say, if alarge number of soldiers on both sides decide to disobey orders, saying that Chinese don't fight Chinese?
The situation would just be too volatile, too many unknowns, and that's why I don't think Taiwan will declare independence, and also why, even if it did, Beijing would be hesitant to attack. It's just too unpredictable a gamble for both sides of the strait.
Consider likewise how many Taiwanese are now doing business on the mainland, and going to university there too. The only real issue is that the Taiwanese don't want to be ruled by the CCP. That aside, most Taiwanese still consider themselves Chiense at heart.
Re: RE: China warns the US.....
diversion from the topic for a moment, but it is GREAT hearing about this from someone in China. We need all the international , representative perspectives we can get. Thanks for being here.
Machjo said:
diversion from the topic for a moment, but it is GREAT hearing about this from someone in China. We need all the international , representative perspectives we can get. Thanks for being here.
http://www.theinsider.org/mailing/article.asp?id=1398
interesting situation. Seems the US is not the only nation that has the "right" to build missiles, and other weaponry. (to "defend" itself) (or start "pre-emptive " wars when it suits them-------- a precident from the US that could have nasty implications) Could get a tad "tense"
interesting situation. Seems the US is not the only nation that has the "right" to build missiles, and other weaponry. (to "defend" itself) (or start "pre-emptive " wars when it suits them-------- a precident from the US that could have nasty implications) Could get a tad "tense"
US reports China missile build-up
China has increased the number of short-range ballistic missiles on its coast opposite Taiwan, the US has said.
In an annual report to Congress, the Pentagon claimed there were now up to 730 such missiles in place. Last year's report found only 500.
The Pentagon said China could now be spending up to $90bn a year on defence, and that its military build-up put regional balances at risk.
But China has dismissed the claims, insisting its rise would be peaceful....More
China has increased the number of short-range ballistic missiles on its coast opposite Taiwan, the US has said.
In an annual report to Congress, the Pentagon claimed there were now up to 730 such missiles in place. Last year's report found only 500.
The Pentagon said China could now be spending up to $90bn a year on defence, and that its military build-up put regional balances at risk.
But China has dismissed the claims, insisting its rise would be peaceful....More
My biggest fear about my forthcoming trip to asia is this impending doom...i don't want to become a p.o.w. in a chinese or north korean camp...anyone seen the movie 7 Years in Tibet? I have a feeling i'll be in a similar situation as brad pitt...
Re: RE: China warns the US.....
Ha, remember the hight of the North Korean missile crisis? I actually had a chance to go to North Korea... legally! The local government of a Chinese border town had made a deal with North Korea to allow members of an Esperanto tour group access. Granted, the path was pre-set, the bus would follow the path, not deviate, and the group members wold be free to to do what they wanted, even take pictures, as long as they stayed with the group, of couse. And it was to consist of Chinese, South Koreans, Japanese and, should I have gone, a caucasian Canadian.
I really did want to go, but I was too busy with other things, not to mention that some of my chicken-hearted co-ex-pats talked me out of it because fo US saber rattling. Lost opportunity right there; it's not easy going into North Korea legally! Well, as it turned ou, the group, which had gone without me, had returned to Chine in one piece.
Anyway, Sy, if you pass by Changchun, please let me know. I don't have an extra room, but you might be able to sleep on the couch, and I can show you around town.
I'd stay away from the bath houses if I were you, unless you're really short of cash, and even then, try to find a more reputable one. And if you book into a hotel, unless it's a government owned one, or unless you know it's reputable, put out the 'Don't disturb' sign and unplug the phone. And if a beautiful woman comes knocking on your door asking if you want a massage, don't let her in, 'cause she ain't your regular hotel staff! And remember, while HIV hasn't reached epidemic proportions yet in China, it's definitely cause for alarm!
So don't worry about Seven years in Tibet. You'll have way more concerns than that in China. Are you white? If so, expect prices to multiply unless you're a good bargainer. If you go to a Korean restaurant, remember dog soup is a common dish. Don't take pictures of government installations or you might get arrested (though you'll probably get released again within a couple hours if you can convince them that you meant no harm, but of course, bye bye film!). And when crossing the street, look both ways, ascertain the trajectories (no wonder the Chinese are good at maths) then dash across while still looking both ways. You might have to be aggressive with the drivers at times by putting your foot on the road, sticking out your hand, and then start walking. In heavy traffic, you might have to cross lane by lane (i.e., after crossing each lane, you ascertain the situation anew before proceding to the next, while standing in mid traffic in the meantime! (I think J-walking is illegal in China, but in many places it's the only way to cross; when I first went to China, I had a hard time distinguishing traffic behaviour between a green and red light, so subtle it was!). Oh, and some taxi drivers might indicate that you don't need to put on your seatbelt while he's driving; it suggests you don't trust his driving ability. Well, my advice to you? Put that seat belt on; I've seen enough bloody acrobatics from cyclists, motorists and others. And many locals know nothing about first aid, so if you survive the initial crash, some local might kill you while trying to save you! And as for beggars, you'll just have to be as assertive as they are aggressive. But don't worry; as aggressive as they are, they're much more annoying than they are dangerous.
And of course, don't participate in any kind of political action, and you'll be fine.
As for illegal activity, the line is really blurred. Seatbelts are legally mandatory, yet no one wears one. The foreign currency black market thrives right in front of the banks, and sometimes in the banks, prostitution is everywhere, and bycicle theft is rampant. and if you've got a visa problem, just invite the local police for dinner (I'm I'm not totally kidding on this one)
Anyway, if you come to China, have fun!
Sy said:
Ha, remember the hight of the North Korean missile crisis? I actually had a chance to go to North Korea... legally! The local government of a Chinese border town had made a deal with North Korea to allow members of an Esperanto tour group access. Granted, the path was pre-set, the bus would follow the path, not deviate, and the group members wold be free to to do what they wanted, even take pictures, as long as they stayed with the group, of couse. And it was to consist of Chinese, South Koreans, Japanese and, should I have gone, a caucasian Canadian.
I really did want to go, but I was too busy with other things, not to mention that some of my chicken-hearted co-ex-pats talked me out of it because fo US saber rattling. Lost opportunity right there; it's not easy going into North Korea legally! Well, as it turned ou, the group, which had gone without me, had returned to Chine in one piece.
Anyway, Sy, if you pass by Changchun, please let me know. I don't have an extra room, but you might be able to sleep on the couch, and I can show you around town.
I'd stay away from the bath houses if I were you, unless you're really short of cash, and even then, try to find a more reputable one. And if you book into a hotel, unless it's a government owned one, or unless you know it's reputable, put out the 'Don't disturb' sign and unplug the phone. And if a beautiful woman comes knocking on your door asking if you want a massage, don't let her in, 'cause she ain't your regular hotel staff! And remember, while HIV hasn't reached epidemic proportions yet in China, it's definitely cause for alarm!
So don't worry about Seven years in Tibet. You'll have way more concerns than that in China. Are you white? If so, expect prices to multiply unless you're a good bargainer. If you go to a Korean restaurant, remember dog soup is a common dish. Don't take pictures of government installations or you might get arrested (though you'll probably get released again within a couple hours if you can convince them that you meant no harm, but of course, bye bye film!). And when crossing the street, look both ways, ascertain the trajectories (no wonder the Chinese are good at maths) then dash across while still looking both ways. You might have to be aggressive with the drivers at times by putting your foot on the road, sticking out your hand, and then start walking. In heavy traffic, you might have to cross lane by lane (i.e., after crossing each lane, you ascertain the situation anew before proceding to the next, while standing in mid traffic in the meantime! (I think J-walking is illegal in China, but in many places it's the only way to cross; when I first went to China, I had a hard time distinguishing traffic behaviour between a green and red light, so subtle it was!). Oh, and some taxi drivers might indicate that you don't need to put on your seatbelt while he's driving; it suggests you don't trust his driving ability. Well, my advice to you? Put that seat belt on; I've seen enough bloody acrobatics from cyclists, motorists and others. And many locals know nothing about first aid, so if you survive the initial crash, some local might kill you while trying to save you! And as for beggars, you'll just have to be as assertive as they are aggressive. But don't worry; as aggressive as they are, they're much more annoying than they are dangerous.
And of course, don't participate in any kind of political action, and you'll be fine.
As for illegal activity, the line is really blurred. Seatbelts are legally mandatory, yet no one wears one. The foreign currency black market thrives right in front of the banks, and sometimes in the banks, prostitution is everywhere, and bycicle theft is rampant. and if you've got a visa problem, just invite the local police for dinner (I'm I'm not totally kidding on this one)
Anyway, if you come to China, have fun!
Re: RE: China warns the US.....
Oh, and by the way, I wasn't totally kidding with anything I'd said in that previous post!
Sy said:
Oh, and by the way, I wasn't totally kidding with anything I'd said in that previous post!
Re: RE: China warns the US.....
Russia wouldnt get involved. Europe either. No one likes Taiwan anyways. China is the next super power and everyone knows it.
Jay said:
Russia wouldnt get involved. Europe either. No one likes Taiwan anyways. China is the next super power and everyone knows it.
RE: China warns the US...
I see China is going to Float their currencey now and not have it pegged to the US dollar.
BEIJING, July 21 (Reuters) - China bowed to months of market and political pressure on Thursday by revaluing the yuan by 2.1 percent and abandoning the currency's decade-old peg against the dollar.
Our dollar (CDN) went up half a cent at this news.
I see China is going to Float their currencey now and not have it pegged to the US dollar.
BEIJING, July 21 (Reuters) - China bowed to months of market and political pressure on Thursday by revaluing the yuan by 2.1 percent and abandoning the currency's decade-old peg against the dollar.
Our dollar (CDN) went up half a cent at this news.
Re: RE: China warns the US.....
If i'm headed to China i'll have to look you up, but it looks like I may be headed to south korea...teaching english to those who want to learn. Thanks for the invite though
Machjo said:
If i'm headed to China i'll have to look you up, but it looks like I may be headed to south korea...teaching english to those who want to learn. Thanks for the invite though
Re: RE: China warns the US.....
Then watch for the dog meat. Tastes like beef really.
Sy said:Machjo said:
If i'm headed to China i'll have to look you up, but it looks like I may be headed to south korea...teaching english to those who want to learn. Thanks for the invite though
Then watch for the dog meat. Tastes like beef really.