Changes in the Pacific: A Return to the 1930s

[Geee]

National Review:

In the 1920s, Japan began to translate its growing economic might — after a prior 50-year crash course in Western capitalism and industrialization — into formidable military power.

 

At first, few of its possible rivals seemed to care. America and condescending European colonials did not quite believe that any Asian power could ever dare to threaten their own Pacific interests.

 

Japan had been a British ally and a partner of the democracies in World War I. Most of its engineering talent was trained in Britain and France. The West even declared Japan to be one of the “Big Five” world economic powers that shared common interests in peace, prosperity, and global security.

Occasional parliamentary reforms had convinced many in the West that Japan’s growing standard of living would eventually ensure cultural and political liberality.

 

That was a comforting dream, given that by the 1930s Americans were disillusioned over the cost of their recent intervention in the Great War in Europe. They were weary of overseas engagement and just wanted a return to normalcy. A terrible decade-long depression at home only added to the popular American desire for isolation from the world’s problems.

[righteousmomma]

Wow, 3rd very optimistic, uplifting piece in a row. I am on a roll.

Btw, has anyone in the media bothered to mention that we are owned by China and we just borrowed millions more from them to extend benefits in order to make the 0 look bettet?

[nickydog]

*sigh* Is there anything at all to be optimistic about these days?

[Valin]

Wow, 3rd very optimistic, uplifting piece in a row. I am on a roll.

Btw, has anyone in the media bothered to mention that we are owned by China and we just borrowed millions more from them to extend benefits in order to make the 0 look bettet?

If you borrow $100.00 dollars from the bank and can't pay it back, You have a problem. If you borrow $100,000 from the bank and can't pay it back....The Bank has a problem.

[Valin]

Why China and the Philippines are Battling Over Rocks, Reefs

Trefor Moss

1/25/14

 

MANILAThe Philippines cried foul this week when China announced plans to begin regular patrols of the South China Sea, known here as the West Philippines Sea. The two countries have been engaged in a tense dispute over the region since 2012, when Chinese ships took control of Scarborough Shoal, which is just one of the areas Beijing and Manila contest.

 

Government spokesman Raul Hernandez insisted any such patrols would be illegal because the area in question is Filipino, not Chinese, territory: Under international law, he said in a statement sent by text message to reporters on Jan. 22, Chinas Exclusive Economic Zone, or EEZ, cannot extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the Chinese mainland and Hainan Island, a province at the southernmost end of China.

 

(Snip)

 

[Valin]

Taiwan Creates Its Own Smart Bombs

January 28, 2014:

Back in 2009 Taiwan announced that it would build its own long range gliding smart bomb, something similar to the U.S. JSOW-ER. In January 2014 this weapon entered service and was shown mounted under the wing of a Taiwanese jet fighter. Taiwan tried to buy JSOW from 2006 to 2009 but the U.S., bullied and manipulated by China, refused to sell. The Americans said they did not want to sell Taiwan aircraft weapons that could be used to attack China. In particular, this meant no radar homing (AGM-88C HARM) missiles and JDAM smart bombs. To get around this policy Taiwan began developing its own smart bombs, particularly something similar to the American JSOW (Joint Stand Off Weapon) Also called the AGM-154A, the Taiwanese version is called the Wan Chien. Taiwan also went ahead and built its own version of JDAM.

 

(Snip)

 

Taiwan also built its own version of HARM, called Tien Chien 2A. JDAM technology is a lot simpler than HARM or JSOW and Taiwan went ahead built its own. Refusing to sell them just costs the U.S. export sales. On the other hand, it allows the United States to tell China that it didn't sell JDAM to Taiwan, thus defusing tensions over Taiwan. In reality, of course, Taiwan just built their own JDAM.

 

(Snip)

 

also see

 

China: Hacked Again By Religious Rebels

[Valin]

China denies plan for South China Sea air defense zone

2/1/14

 

Overlapping Exclusive Economic Zone claims in the West Philippine Sea. Gray line shows Philippines EEZ while Chinas EEZ is marked in red. Wikimedia

 

BEIJING (Xinhua) China dismissed allegations by some Japanese reports that it is to set up an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the South China Sea and expressed optimism over regional situation.

In a general view, the Chinese side has yet to feel any air security threat from the ASEAN countries and is optimistic about its relations with the neighboring countries and the general situation in the South China Sea region, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said in a press release Saturday.

 

Earlier this week, the Asahi Shimbun daily of Japan reported that China has drafted proposals for the Air Defense Identification Zone over the South China Sea.

Hong said the right-wing forces of Japan have repeatedly clamored about the alleged plan of China to set up ADIZ over the South China Sea. He said this move is of ulterior motive and simply aimed to shift international attention from and cover up the plot to change Japans pacifist constitution and expand its military power.

We sternly warned these forces not to mislead public opinions with rumors and play up tensions for their own selfish benefit, Hong said.

 

(Snip)