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6:00 am, October 23rd, 2022 - 43 comments
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A major geopolitical risk for those of us in the South Pacific is the high likelihood that China will attempt to annex Taiwan by force in the very near future, even as early as by the end of this year.
Such action by China would have huge consequences for New Zealand, as we may be forced to choose a side, and may potentially be required to support a sanctions regime against China. Given the fact that our exports to China far outshine our exports to any other country, for instance more than double what we export to our nearest trading partner, Australia, this would have huge consequences for our economy.
Key to the rationale for an invasion of Taiwan is access to the strategically significant semi-conductor industry. The US has just introduced sweeping bans on sales of advanced semi-conductors and related equipment to China. China has lagged in the capability to manufacture its own advanced semi-conductors and is unlikely to close the gap any time soon. Undoubtably part of the motivation from the US is to slow the growth and development of the Chinese military which is becoming a near peer to the US in its capability.
In some ways, this action could make an invasion of Taiwan in the near future even more likely. That is because Taiwan is home to a semi-conductor giant, TSMC. TSMC is the world's most valuable semi-conductor company. And China may see that control of TSMC is critical due to the US ban.
The US is so concerned about the possibility that China could gain control of TSMC that the US is considering relocating TSMC employees or even destroying TSMC facilities if China were to invade Taiwan.
Interesting times.
We won't have to "pick a side". China attacking Taiwan would make the decision for us. Even under Albanese the Australians will without question defend Taiwan alongside the United States and Japan. In those circumstance we'd have no choice – we'd fight with our traditional allies.
Yes, that is my assessment as well. The choice would be made for us. And, as I point out below, we may be put under a lot of pressure to stop exporting food supplies to China because sanctioning food imports would put huge pressure on the Chinese population at the moment given their drought issues.
Well I certainly hope that it doesn't happen. I would think that Chinese military have well observed how much trouble Russia has had trying to cross any stretch of water larger than a puddle and are well aware that Taiwan is about 180km from the mainland. Further they would note well that Russia – with the second largest Airforce in the world has not been able to gain air superiority in Ukraine due to the proliferation of SAM systems. I don't know details of Taiwan's anti ship and anti air capabilities but I did see
https://eurasiantimes.com/ukraine-gets-800-taiwan-revolver-860-drones/
Supplying 800 of those little monsters is indicative of significant capacity I would hate to be in a landing craft with those things overhead.
Yes, I read about the Taiwanese drones awhile ago. I am not sure if Ukraine has received these yet. And, Taiwan must have some fairly nasty stuff if they can afford to give away this sort of gear.
But, I think it is just a question of numbers. From what I have seen, war game scenarios suggest that the Chinese do eventually get ashore in Taiwan.
Unfortuntately, these totalitarian type regimes seem to have little concern for loss of life, so long as they achieve their objectives.
The company strategy appears to be to build new plant offshore to supply the European/North American/Japan market – thus allowing continuance post invasion/destruction of its Taiwan plant.
The concern would be an invasion prior to this transition of production capability – would the plant then be destroyed?
Which is why some governments are developing new/their own capability (it is a growing demand after all) as a form of national economic reserve.
From what I have read, I don't think the off-shore plants yet produce to the same degree of technology as the Taiwan plant. I understand the Taiwan plant is producing semi-conductors down to 3 nano-metres, which is substantially better than other plants, including their offshore ones.
For me the big question is whether the US semiconductor ban will promote war or diplomacy.
War, because China is motivated to gain control over Taiwanese semi-conductor production.
Diplomacy because China realises that there is no win in doing so because the technology will evaporate before they get a chance to control it. And China ends up back in the semi-conductor stone-age with that course of action.
I am hoping for the latter.
Sure, the offshore plants proposed/and being built are not producing yet – thus the western dependence on this supply
If China wants Taiwan alone, then it waits for this to end.
If China wants the tech then it moves while the West is reluctant to destroy it. And then leverages continuance of supply to the West for tech support.
Yes, and that is a compelling reason for sooner rather than later.
Yes, it would seem Xi Jinping is getting his ducks in a row. Once a war commences he won't want to be looking over his shoulder. I wonder if he's considered the citizens who hate his guts? Maybe New Zealand should start advertising the benefits of being preppers?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/asia/300719120/xi-jinpings-predecessor-escorted-off-stage-as-chinese-president-shores-up-power
This video I linked to above is well worth a watch.
As the video points out, part of the problem for China, is that, even if they were to capture Taiwan, and capture TSMC intact, it doesn't suddenly solve their semi-conductor issues.
I did see that article you linked to btw. Surely very curious as to why that would have happened, but not inconsistent with Xi’s totalitarian behaviour.
Firstly, TSMC depends on complex global supply chains. These chains would likely be sanctioned in the event that China assumed control of TSMC. Secondly, TSMC is primarily a chip production facility, and that much of the chip design takes place in the US. Thirdly, TSMC is diversifying, with a manufacturing plant due to open in Oregon in 2024, and a plant to be built in Japan.
So, the consequence of China taking Taiwan and controlling TSMC would be unlikely to be a technology gain for China, but would rather cause major global disruption in chip supply given the dominance of TSMC in world chip supply.
China can't just attack Taiwan with the knowledge they'd win eventually. They have to over-run the island in three days or less to present a fait accompli. if the Taiwanese can hold out for longer than 72 hours then the Americans and Japanese will arrive, and China would have to decide if it really wants a full on war or withdraws.
And whether a military response is necessarily the best answer.
War game scenarios suggest that the US and its allies eventually win. But at a huge cost. In those scenarios, the US could lose several carriers, perhaps 900 aircraft, and 10s of thousands of troops.
Perhaps strong international sanctions would be the best option. For a start, for instance, a blockade of the Malacca Strait would cripple China as it relies on a lot of imports.
Also, given that China is facing huge issues with drought and water supply at the moment such action would likely result in mass starvation and political instability in China.
One of the issues for China is that we are now past the point of peak China with the population of China declining by as much as 800 million by 2100. Therefore, the slide in demographics may mean that if Xi is ever going to fulfill is ambitions, then it might have to be sooner rather than later. Because if he leaves it as long as his stated goal of by 2049, then it may be too late.
Personally I would favour diplomacy.
1. if China abides by the Law of the Sea Arbitration Tribunal decision (returns the atolls to their natural state) then
2. the American guarantee to Taiwan ends in 2049 and it
3. advises Taiwan to negotiate their inclusion within the one China from 2049.
I think diplomacy is the optimal solution. However, sometimes diplomacy needs the helping hand and teeth that sanctions provide.
Also the situation in Hong Kong is unlikely to incline any belief in Taiwan that China will abide by any local guarantees to protect local rights and freedoms.
Diplomacy is unlikely to be effective when one of the major players can't be trusted to keep their word.
Who would believe any guarantee from Putin, for example!
So does Xi; the full statement regarding Taiwan:
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/xi-china-will-never-renounce-right-use-force-over-taiwan-2022-10-16/
We must be aware of those who think that war is inevitable, they can make it so.
What on earth makes you believe China wants a diplomatic solution to the Taiwanese problem?
''You Will Know Them by Their Fruits.''
I think China would much prefer Taiwan to cave. But Taiwan has shown they are absolutely against that option, so China sees the military option as the only one left to get what they want.
China hasn't gone to war with any country since 1979
This is a different China. China now wants to become imperialist. They want to impose their will on the world like the US does. They seem to have a very calculating prick at the helm. In my link above he sent a clear signal that no one will be standing in his way.
Have you seen their naval fleet of late? Now would be a great time for the US to scare China with some reverse engineered exotic weaponry should they have some.
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/06/25/asia/china-navy-aircraft-carrier-analysis-intl-hnk-ml-dst/index.html
I think the West needs to attack North Korea once hostilities start.
IVF the next "morality" issue in the culture wars of the USA.
https://twitter.com/byKateSmith/status/1580669407910854656
The 17th Century all over again.
https://twitter.com/patriottakes/status/1583891701709824000
Re SPC 9.13am Good grief some people in the US are never satisfied unless they are in the bedrooms of their citizens and probing into the deepest and most private parts of being human….that is the decision whether to or not and the having of children.
The consultation document from the NHS (England and Wales) is very post Tavistock era
https://twitter.com/JamesEsses/status/1583747787807948800
Thankfully!
In line with that, The Association of Clinical Psychologists UK released a statement a couple of days ago:
https://acpuk.org.uk/the-cass-review-and-its-implications-psychologically-informed-considerations-for-the-future/
well done them!
NZ needs to follow the UK in terms of the Cass report and U turn on social and medical transition.
unfortunately many of our Institutions have been captured by gender ideology in NZ. For example NZPS (NZ Psychological Society and NZAC (NZ Association of Counsellors). Both promote gender ideology and purport that the affirmation model must be the approached used. People who have challenged this on NZAC face book page have had their posts cancelled and been accused of hate speech. The petition against the CATA ( a conference that questioned affirmation only and proposed a more holistic approach to gender dysphoria) was promoted on their FB page.
I note the absence of reporting in the NZ media of the unfolding scandal at Mermaids on the UK and the mere trace of coverage of The Tavistock GIDS
"NZ needs to follow the UK in terms of the Cass report and U turn on social and medical transition."
Or – indeed – any country or state that reviewed clinical evidence instead of blindly following the guidelines of WPATH.
For the interested:
Detrans subreddit at 14 June 2022: 33.6K members
Last update on 17 June 2022: 34.2K members
Last update on 11 October 2022: 40.2K members
As at 23 October 2022: 40.8K members
God the detransitiong stats are so sad.
are you referring to the reddit numbers? Not really any easy way to know how many of those are detrans.
r/detrans Rules on the reddit show they make reasonable effort to limit to detransitioners, when new member join and through both moderators and users scrutiny of content.
Not infallible, I agree.
the bit about the flair? Anyone can add what they like to their user name right? That does mean it will limit members for sure, but I wonder if there are plenty with second accounts and an appropriate flair simply to make following conversations easier to follow. I don't have a reddit account, but most social media gets easier once one is in.
but even if half aren't detrans, that's still a shocking number.
They've also recently posted an update to clarify the focus is solely on the experience of detransitioners and their needs – and not any wider critique:
https://www.reddit.com/r/detrans/comments/y9wcui/new_policy_going_forward_no_more/
Stella O'Mally seemed to think they make an effort to limit people on the Reddit site to de-transitioners.
And he's been directing the war from a CIA bunker in Virginia.
Looks like all of that is wrong, bar the Sweden and Finland bit.
Jonathan Pie comments on Truss & Johnson. Actually 'Truss & Johnson' sort of sounds like it could be a company that cleans dog crap out of carpets rather than deposit it there.
I get the impression J Pie doesn't think Liz Truss was much of a Prime Minister. Does anyone else get that impression.
I wish he'd stopped beating around the bush and just given it to us straight.
No, that wouldn't be good for you.
As Jack Nicholson put it in the film A Few Good Men.
"You can't handle the truth"