China Thread

[EasternVol]

And the PRC is still defending Philippine territory from those pesky Philippinos.

https://thediplomat.com/2025/12/philippines-claims-three-fishermen-injured-in-skirmish-with-chinese-coast-guard/

 

[LouderVol]

Very bad news for free speech in Hong Kong:

Former Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai convicted in landmark national security trial

Jimmy Lai, the former Hong Kong media mogul and outspoken critic of Beijing, has been convicted in a landmark national security trial in the city’s court.

apnews.com

writing was on the wall with Hong Kong from the first election China interfered with. once only party approved candidates were on the ballot it was game over. Then the Chinese used Covid to really get a stranglehold on that city.

 

[EasternVol]

writing was on the wall with Hong Kong from the first election China interfered with. once only party approved candidates were on the ballot it was game over. Then the Chinese used Covid to really get a stranglehold on that city.

Which is a shame. It's an awesome city.

 

[rekinhavoc]

Japan Approves Record Defense Spending that Aims to Deter China

"If you want peace, prepare for war" is a Latin credo attributed to Roman writer Vegetius. Japan has heeded that advice, approving a record defense budget plan exceeding 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for the coming year.

www.breitbart.com

Getting dicey.

 

[marcusluvsvols]

Japan Approves Record Defense Spending that Aims to Deter China

"If you want peace, prepare for war" is a Latin credo attributed to Roman writer Vegetius. Japan has heeded that advice, approving a record defense budget plan exceeding 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for the coming year.

www.breitbart.com

Getting dicey.

The alliance we formed with the Japs and Australia is gonna be the only hope of keeping China from dominating the Pacific and bullying everyone. Cant build submarines and aircraft fast enough IMO. After what Japan did to China in WW2 with the Rape of Nanking etc, Japan has every reason to be scared of the ChiComs and is wise to build a formidable military.

I know part of the Japs unconditional surrender to us in WW2 was them agreeing to never have more than a "defense force" military without offensive or global capabilities. We are wise to rethink those restrictions IMO. I don't know the details today, but if/when things get ugly over there we will need their help.

 

[jvol1]

The alliance we formed with the Japs and Australia is gonna be the only hope of keeping China from dominating the Pacific and bullying everyone. Cant build submarines and aircraft fast enough IMO. After what Japan did to China in WW2 with the Rape of Nanking etc, Japan has every reason to be scared of the ChiComs and is wise to build a formidable military.

I know part of the Japs unconditional surrender to us in WW2 was them agreeing to never have more than a "defense force" military without offensive or global capabilities. We are wise to rethink those restrictions IMO. I don't know the details today, but if/when things get ugly over there we will need their help.

Don't forget south Korea. They have a rather large army on the mainland and are part of our checking force too. Or were, Trump's tariff schedule will unfortunately probably make these allies more hesitant to step in to our aid in any future conflict.