China warns conflict is inevitable unless U.S. changes course

originally posted by: CriticalStinker
That same bonus is also leverage against bad foreign relations. I’m sure Xi would love nothing more than to help Russia and build up the Eastern sphere of influence… but the West eats up about 80% of their exports.

Don't underestimate the power of abject stupidity, Japan's number one trading partner on December 6th, 1941 was the United States.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

If China were to forfeit its European and US markets it would lose the ability to grow as a nation which would equate to stagnation.

China would be essentially shooting itself in the foot if they decided to join or support Russia in any sort of militaristic capacity.

End of the day when all this is said and done i would not be too surprised to see China try their own wee land grab against some areas that are currently Russian Federation land given the state the Russian bear appears to be in and the fact that Russia canny even throw a proper punch.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: CriticalStinker
That same bonus is also leverage against bad foreign relations. I’m sure Xi would love nothing more than to help Russia and build up the Eastern sphere of influence… but the West eats up about 80% of their exports.

Don't underestimate the power of abject stupidity, Japan's number one trading partner on December 6th, 1941 was the United States.

Absolutely.

And while I’d like to think humanity is somehow more evolved now with our information renaissance, I’m constantly reminded human nature still holds at best an equally powerful force, or more likely more powerful motivation.

We’re seeing it play out now unfortunately.

But I think the trade more times than not turns out good. Though it should be noted sometimes that greed is the flashpoint for something more, which we’ve seen before too. The opium wars is my favorite reminder of that.

Can some one put up a world map of All
the places around the world showing
US armed forces And Nato are occupying!

Look at it. now you see who China is not happy.
just like CCCP

originally posted by: CriticalStinker
And while I’d like to think humanity is somehow more evolved now with our information renaissance, I’m constantly reminded human nature still holds at best an equally powerful force, or more likely more powerful motivation.

A perfect reminder of this is Putin thinking Ukraine would turn out better than Afghanistan.

originally posted by: buddha
Look at it. now you see who China is not happy.
just like CCCP

Awww, poor wittle China. Are you sad for China? It make me all weepy, how about you?

a reply to: CriticalStinker

Nothing is more diplomatic than trade.

We Brits forged an Empire on trade.
We turned isolated rocks into key staging areas and had strategically placed trading posts that allowed for almost every commodity known at the time to flow around the world.
Of course it wasn't just trade.....but it was a major factor.

It creates rapport through learning about one another, breaking bread, and forming relations that (usually) benefits both sides.

Trade is very much a two way street that benefits most concerned parties.
Sure, it has ramifications and not all positive but as a general rule the pro's outweigh the con's.

That same bonus is also leverage against bad foreign relations.

As I suspect Russia may find out in time.
If this drags out for years Russia will be increasingly isolated....and as has been pointed out, with isolation comes stagnation. And things that stagnate tend to rot and crumble and ultimately collapse in on itself.

Those Americans who advocate Isolationism really should take heed.

I’m sure Xi would love nothing more than to help Russia and build up the Eastern sphere of influence…

I'm not too sure, I think China is happy the way things are....at present.
The current situation is certainly creating opportunities for China but as I think most of us agree China is so dependant on Western purchase power without which China would see a crisis on an almost unprecedented scale.
China has changed; there is a huge Middle-Class who are so used to their Westernised luxuries and lifestyles. And even the 'ordinary' Chinese people are not prepared to work for a bowl of rice a day.

And again, as has been pointed out....if this drags on and becomes a war of attrition that isn't taking too much out of the West then there may well come a time when they feel there is an opportunity to exploit Russia's soft under-belly.

One thing is certain; China will only act in its own long term best interests with little regard for other considerations.

a reply to: Freeborn

We turned isolated rocks into key staging areas and had strategically placed trading posts that allowed for almost every commodity known at the time to flow around the world.

And some of those benefited greatly. Singapore comes to mind along with Hong Kong in that region. They’re absolute powerhouses.

And again, as has been pointed out....if this drags on and becomes a war of attrition that isn't taking too much out of the West then there may well come a time when they feel there is an opportunity to exploit Russia's soft under-belly.

My guess is, when Russia is it’s most vulnerable, China will offer impossible to repay loans with energy collateral.

The sad thing about Russia I can empathize with is the shock doctrine of the 90’s did create some of the issues they have such as the extreme oligarchy. But they did manage to build many very modern cities that are gems of humanity in terms of cultural richness and extravagance.

But even with some of the downside, they were impressing the world with their rate of modernization and assimilation into the global market. They always had top minds in many areas like science, but their hermit structure made it difficult for them to reach their full potential.

It’s just a shame that these actions are going to lead to a stagnation that may be short or long term. And a nation so familiar with sacrificing a generation of men are yet again doing it.

originally posted by: buddha
Can some one put up a world map of All
the places around the world showing
US armed forces And Nato are occupying!

Look at it. now you see who China is not happy.
just like CCCP

People get stuck on this thinking, and end up repeating it so often that they may actually believe what they are saying. Often, then can link to a map "as proof", or even a YouTube video.

What countries are the US or NATO occupying? You mistake friendly relations with another nation that they allow a base or some other presence, and confuse this with occupation. The UK has a military presence in the US, but the UK is not occupying the US. It's the logic of idiots. It really is a lack of critical thinking.

However, China is occupying Tibet and has through a process of militarisation started to occupy the South China Sea.

originally posted by: paraphi
The UK has a military presence in the US, but the UK is not occupying the US.

I am pretty sure you have that reversed... UK Overseas Bases

"There is a greater sense of urgency for the U.K. to revive its military in the wake of Russia’s ongoing military aggression against Ukraine.

British No Longer Among Top Tier Fighting Forces

originally posted by: iamthevirus
I am pretty sure you have that reversed...

No, he was correct that there are UK troops in the US. From your own source:

The British military has troops stationed in six U.S. states including California (Edwards Air Force Base), Nevada (Creech Air Force Base) and South Carolina (MCAS Beaufort).

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

You mean "staff"

got it...

originally posted by: iamthevirus
You mean "staff"

got it...

No, 'troops', like your source said. You should try reading it since you'd also find out they have 145 bases in 42 countries.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: iamthevirus
I am pretty sure you have that reversed...

No, he was correct that there are UK troops in the US. From your own source:

The British military has troops stationed in six U.S. states including California (Edwards Air Force Base), Nevada (Creech Air Force Base) and South Carolina (MCAS Beaufort).

I think Americans would complain louder about defending UK against Russia than they are about Ukraine...

btw: thanks for Richard Dawkins, you guys are great!

originally posted by: iamthevirus
I think Americans would complain louder about defending UK against Russia than they are about Ukraine...

And?

btw: thanks for Richard Dawkins, you guys are great!

Why you thanking me for him? You thinking I'm from the UK or something, brohan?

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
Why you thanking me for him? You thinking I'm from the UK or something, brohan?

Nah man... I know they're reading.

I can smell the fear baba yaga is stirring, it's ike an ominous cloud pervading posts and comments across the entire interwebs.

originally posted by: iamthevirus
I can smell the fear baba yaga is stirring, it's ike an ominous cloud pervading posts and comments across the entire interwebs.

Nah, I think the odor you're smelling is emanating from your side of the computer. I am nothing but bemused with watching the mighty bear fumble and bumble around while their ersatz allies look to take advantage of the situation and abandon them faster than four day old caviar.

a reply to: iamthevirus

Mate, they will give you medication for that paranoia if you ask your doctor nicely.

As to what you can smell, if you remove your head from between your legs the situation might improve.

a reply to: andy06shake

a reply to: iamthevirus

What a beautiful princess.

I hope you treat her nice?