Where is/can Donald Trump take US (sic)?

[luutzu]

For obvious historical reasons, the US have no bases in SE Asia. So there's no presence to retain.

Maybe not bases, but "lily pads" for sure.

Burma just got flipped over to the US a few years ago - the comrades don't like that too much and are working with the opposition to try and fix that situation. They need to as Burma's an important access in case the "China" seas get blockaded.

Seems Burma is going to be the first to get screwed if the US goes to war with China.

Then there's Singapore, a few advisors in the Philippines and Thailand. The Kingdom of Brunei - which implemented Sharia Law recently - is also a friend.

Not sure about Indonesia given its recent experience with US backed Suharto.

 

[luutzu]

Just maybe Trump could broker a reconcilliation between Taiwan and the PRC. It doesn't necessarily have to be conflict based. Basically China needs to be taken down a peg but it could improve its PR image by giving some ground on areas like Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Whether the dinosaurs in the People's Congress see it that way is another matter. The US would be silly to push too hard militarily , but trade is a weapon too.

Once China consolidate its presence in the South and East China seas, they'll own Taiwan. It's based on the ancient game of Go - where, I'm guessing, the aim is to surround and fence in territories. Once you fence it in, it's yours.

So China's plan is to take pretty much the entire of S.E Asia. They probably will not do it through war or direct conflict, would do it through trade and a lot of carrots... but they'd be damned if they let the US or any other major power have any influence on SE Asia.

Can't really blame them... as far as geopolitics goes. For one, when European/Japanese powers colonise Asia, it was just a small steps into China's own terroritories; then it was a matter time before a few Chinese cities and ports have to be surrendered to the barbarians.

Then there's the Japanese invasion of WW2.

Then there's the clear example playing out in Europe between NATO and Russia since the 90s. Gave the enemy an inch and soon they're on your borders.

The US have to really learn to give people their living space. You can't push people and chain them in like that. I guess the US doesn't care too much since any wars fought would be on other people's front yard... but man, we Aussies are going to be screwed.

For one, trade with China, and probably most of Asia, will be down to diddly. Two, where's the nearest place for China to refuel and load up on iron, steel and water?

 

[SirRumpole]

Once China consolidate its presence in the South and East China seas, they'll own Taiwan. It's based on the ancient game of Go - where, I'm guessing, the aim is to surround and fence in territories. Once you fence it in, it's yours.

So China's plan is to take pretty much the entire of S.E Asia. They probably will not do it through war or direct conflict, would do it through trade and a lot of carrots... but they'd be damned if they let the US or any other major power have any influence on SE Asia.

Can't really blame them... as far as geopolitics goes. For one, when European/Japanese powers colonise Asia, it was just a small steps into China's own terroritories; then it was a matter time before a few Chinese cities and ports have to be surrendered to the barbarians.

Then there's the Japanese invasion of WW2.

Then there's the clear example playing out in Europe between NATO and Russia since the 90s. Gave the enemy an inch and soon they're on your borders.

The US have to really learn to give people their living space. You can't push people and chain them in like that. I guess the US doesn't care too much since any wars fought would be on other people's front yard... but man, we Aussies are going to be screwed.

For one, trade with China, and probably most of Asia, will be down to diddly. Two, where's the nearest place for China to refuel and load up on iron, steel and water?

If only they weren't damned Commies things would be fine.

 

[luutzu]

If only they weren't damned Commies things would be fine.

I bet the Pentagon thought the same too

Scorched an entire city then call it peace, as some cry baby Poms complains of the Romans.

 

[luutzu]

Conflict of interests.

 

[DB008]

1) Trump calls a democratically elected leader, brutal dictatorship loses their minds. Let that sink in.

2) Obama sold some 1.8Billion dollars worth of arms to Taiwan, nothing was said about that.

 

[SirRumpole]

1) Trump calls a democratically elected leader, brutal dictatorship loses their minds. Let that sink in.

2) Obama sold some 1.8Billion dollars worth of arms to Taiwan, nothing was said about that.

Actually I think they called him.

 

[CanOz]

1) Trump calls a democratically elected leader, brutal dictatorship loses their minds. Let that sink in.

2) Obama sold some 1.8Billion dollars worth of arms to Taiwan, nothing was said about that.

Spending too much time on social media DB?

 

[McLovin]

2) Obama sold some 1.8Billion dollars worth of arms to Taiwan, nothing was said about that.

Because arms sales are well established.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_US_arms_sales_to_Taiwan

 

[Gringotts Bank]

I've witnessed the complete 'Chinafication' of a suburb here in Melbourne. Once where there was a sense of unity and Australian-ness, now there's a very clear demarcation and division. Those who live in the 'Chinafied' area speak Chinese and maintain Chinese culture. Horrible.

All cultures do the same. Think of the Aussie takeover of Bali. Pushing their drinking culture and boorish ways onto the local population. Of course not all Aussie travelers do that, but there's enough of it happening that it upsets the Indos.

Cultures should not mix to any great degree. It's not conducive to peace and unity. One country, one culture works ok. Regarding travel - when in Rome...

I mention this because China is clearly intent on spreading its culture and influence across nations, and who wants that? No one.

 

[SirRumpole]

I've witnessed the complete 'Chinafication' of a suburb here in Melbourne.

Would that be Balwyn by any chance ?

I have relatives in that suburb (Aussie born) and they are one of the few residents on their block who are not Chinese.

Wealthy Chinese launder money by buying homes (usually for their kids while they are going to school), then sell it to other Chinese so they can do the same thing. One person living in a five bedroom house and they have pushed the price up beyond the affordability of normal Aussies.

Plus they cause a lot of car accidents because they paid bribes for their licenses in China and get an automatic license here even if they don't know our rules or how to drive.

 

[luutzu]

1) Trump calls a democratically elected leader, brutal dictatorship loses their minds. Let that sink in.

2) Obama sold some 1.8Billion dollars worth of arms to Taiwan, nothing was said about that.

He also called to invite Phillipine's Duterte to come on over for the inauguration. Seems friends or foes have nothing to do with moral code or democracy - just what they can do and for how much.

 

[McLovin]

He also called to invite Phillipine's Duterte to come on over for the inauguration. Seems friends or foes have nothing to do with moral code or democracy - just what they can do and for how much.

Which shows how little Trump knows about the region. Duterte kowtowed to the Chinese a couple of months ago.

In June, however, Rodrigo Duterte replaced Mr Aquino as president, and changed course abruptly. He has announced an end to joint Philippine-American military exercises and threatened to abrogate the EDCA. To drive this shift home, on a state visit to China two weeks ago, he announced his “separation” from America, and told his hosts: “I have realigned myself in your ideological flow…I will be dependent on you for all time.”

Following this display of fealty, China promised billions of dollars in loans and investment, and ended its blockade of Scarborough. The message for the other South-East Asian nations with competing claims in the South China Sea could not be clearer: accept China’s sovereignty and riches will follow. Najib Razak, Malaysia’s embattled prime minister, turned up in Beijing this week cap in hand.

Not only has Mr Duterte completely undermined America’s efforts to preserve a united front by other littoral states against China’s territorial ambitions in the South China Sea, he has also saved Xi Jinping, China’s leader, from a dilemma. After the adverse ruling from the tribunal, hardliners in China, especially in the military, were urging Mr Xi to hit back by, for example, building an air strip on Scarborough Shoal. Others argued that his tough line was already too risky, so he should adopt a more emollient approach. Thanks to Mr Duterte, China has got most of what it wanted””most notably, bilateral talks, which it has long asked for but the Philippines had rejected””without lifting a finger.

http://www.economist.com/news/asia/...n-return-waters-disputed-china-duterte-waters

 

[luutzu]

I've witnessed the complete 'Chinafication' of a suburb here in Melbourne. Once where there was a sense of unity and Australian-ness, now there's a very clear demarcation and division. Those who live in the 'Chinafied' area speak Chinese and maintain Chinese culture. Horrible.

All cultures do the same. Think of the Aussie takeover of Bali. Pushing their drinking culture and boorish ways onto the local population. Of course not all Aussie travelers do that, but there's enough of it happening that it upsets the Indos.

Cultures should not mix to any great degree. It's not conducive to peace and unity. One country, one culture works ok. Regarding travel - when in Rome...

I mention this because China is clearly intent on spreading its culture and influence across nations, and who wants that? No one.

My great great grand father was Chinese. Couldn't speak a word of VNese when he first came to VN - either as a tradesman or a refugee, something that tend to happen every couple centuries there.

Now if you ask any of his descendants whether they're Chinese or Viet and they'll tell you. Or when China goes to war with VN, whose side will they be on. I mean my own father loathes the Viet comrades but if he hear me saying that it's understandable for China to take over the SCS [or the Eastern Sea as he call it]... not a good conversation starter.

Anyway, point is, while people might look and sound different... we wouldn't know their loyalty until that moment of truth, as they say.

Just like we can't seriously take it at face value that our (White) politicians are there to look after the national interests (instead of theirs and their friends own interest and trickle it down from them) because they're White or talk a good game serving the public. We can't assume that non-White immigrants are just here to live on welfare and serve their whatever gov't is back at their ancestor's land.

Home is where the mortgage is.

 

[luutzu]

Which shows how little Trump knows about the region. Duterte kowtowed to the Chinese a couple of months ago.



http://www.economist.com/news/asia/...n-return-waters-disputed-china-duterte-waters

A bit dangerous to have so ignorant and boastful a guy as president. Affairs of states would be a bit more complicated than a business deal right?

I bet Trump wouldn't know anything about the US's "efforts" in the Philippines over the centuries.

 

[CanOz]

Plus they cause a lot of car accidents because they paid bribes for their licenses in China and get an automatic license here even if they don't know our rules or how to drive.

Wrong, we have to go through a written test as well as a drivers test....please try and be factual

 

[SirRumpole]

Wrong, we have to go through a written test as well as a drivers test....please try and be factual

Rules for temporary and permanent visas holders
Temporary Visa

If you hold a temporary visa:

you are not required to get a Victorian driver licence and/or learner permit
you can drive using your current overseas driver licence for the length of your stay
your driver licence must be written in English or accompanied by an English translation or international driving permit.

Permanent Visa

If you hold a permanent visa (issued under the Migration Act 1958) you may drive on your overseas driver licence if it's written in English or accompanied by an English translation or international driving permit for:

6 months from the date you first entered Australia (if the permanent visa was issued before you entered Australia), or
6 months from the date when the permanent visa was issued (if the permanent visa was issued to you while in Australia).

If you want to continue driving in Victoria after this time you must get a Victorian driver licence. If your overseas driver licence has expired, you will still be able to take the drive test as you are exempt from holding a learner permit for the test.

Once you are issued with a Victorian driver licence or learner permit, it is against the law to use your overseas or interstate driver licence to drive in Victoria.

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/renew-replace-or-update/new-to-victoria/overseas-drivers

So presumably if a Chinese student was here on a temporary visa they could drive in Victoria without restriction on an overseas license.

Don't know what the situation is in other States, I'll leave you to do your own research.

 

[Gringotts Bank]

Resource allocation and identity are the two key issues in xenophobia.

A country made up of multiple races is fine, but this always tends to degenerate into multi-culturalism. It doesn't matter if you're in the most cosmopolitan, egalitarian, free-thinking, left wing part of New York - people mix with their own almost always. It doesn't have to be this way, but just observe because it's very plain to see.

So the modern way appears to be "BYO culture and reject the local culture", and that includes language, special dress, religion, food and activities. The more competing cultures you have, the less resources there are for everyone. Because under Australian law all cultures, religions and creeds are equal. So it's a matter of dividing and dividing until resources dwindle. Catering for 50 different languages and cultural activities and standards/norms/expectations and laws (in the case of some Muslims) is unworkable.

Then there's national identity and the sense of community and belonging.

What's the answer?

 

[SirRumpole]

What's the answer?

The White Australia Policy ?

 

[Gringotts Bank]

The White Australia Policy ?

A multitude of problems were avoided by having that policy - that's undeniable - but it's not a mature solution. People like a bit of a mix, but they don't want to lose Australian identity or have resources directed into non-Australian cultural directives that are vastly different to ours.

If a local council has $1 mill to spend on a sporting complex, will they update the football/netball courts or build a badminton and table tennis centre? When Chinese outnumber Australians, have a guess what happens. This is one tiny example of how resource allocation gets put under ever increasing stress by multi-culturalism.