Separatist Calls Grow Louder from Taiwan


Posted originally on Jun 27, 2024 By Martin Armstrong 

China v Taiwan 3

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has been deemed a “dangerous separatist” by the Chinese Communist Party.  China has long-stated its desire for “peaceful unification” with Taiwan, which the CCP considers part of China. China issued new guidelines on lethal ramifications for separatist sentiments, leading to louder retaliation from Ching-te.

Xinhua news agency, operated by the CCP, ran a story last Friday to declare that China will not tolerate any calls for a separate nation. “Secessionist organizations” or direct people to “carry out activities that split the state” will be targeted as terrorists. China announced it would “severely punish Taiwan independence die-hards for splitting the country and inciting secession crimes in accordance with the law, and resolutely defend national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.” “Ringleaders,” including Taiwan’s president who the CCP does not acknowledge as having any authority, “cause particularly serious harm to the state and the people” and could face execution.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te responded by saying China’s autocracy is “evil” and he will not stop calls to remove China’s stronghold on the nation. “I want to stress: democracy is not a crime; it’s autocracy that is the real evil. China has absolutely no right to sanction Taiwan’s people just because of the positions they hold. What’s more, China has no right to go after Taiwan people’s rights across borders,” he said. Ching-te wishes to hold discussions with Beijing but has been warned any move to declare independence would be seen as an act of war.

Taiwan can speak out against China now that it has powerful allies, such as the United States, which is eager to wage a new war. This particular issue has not been taken lightly by the CCP, which will undoubtedly wage war if its perceived territory is compromised. On the other hand, Neocons like Blinken have pledged unwavering support for Taiwan seemingly out of nowhere. It is a matter of time before one side, likely the West, uses a perceived act of war to fire the first shot.

Taiwan’s Defense Strategy – US Protection


Posted Jun 11, 2024 By Martin Armstrong 

China v Taiwan 3

Taiwan’s new administration under President Lai Ching-te has been extremely vocal in its distaste for the One China policy. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) campaigned on the promise of sovereignty and patriotism. No other president has been this outspoken about China’s control over the small nation that clearly cannot defeat China independently. Yet there is one major reason that the new wave of politicians feels so bold as to provoke China through a strategic alliance with the United States.

“Taiwan independence is a dead end,” the Chinese Communist Party said in a statement when Lai Ching-te was elected. “Regardless of the pretext or the banner under which it is pursued, the push for Taiwan independence is destined to fail,” declared China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin.

Taiwan’s new defence chief Wellington Koo outlined their new defense strategy that primarily relies on protection from the US. Washington has taken a stance of “strategic ambiguity” in its speech, but action state otherwise. China has yet again warned the US to cease arms sales to Taiwan. Koo himself said that he would “not rule out using US military force,” while making is vague on whether the US has offered to fully protect Taiwan.

“As far as I know, Biden has maintained a strategic ambiguity approach, meaning he has not clearly stated whether to send forces or not,” Koo said after being questioned on whether Biden was backing away from Taiwan’s battle. Washington has remained elusive but is providing aid and arms to Taiwan. The US has ships patrolling the strait and has had countless Airforce interactions with China in that area over recent years. Biden also hit China with a new wave of tariffs to deter trade.

Defense Minister Koo has stated that Taiwan is already aligning with the US Indo-Pacific Strategy. “By enhancing our self-defence capabilities and integrating into the US Indo-Pacific strategy, Taiwan aims to become an effective deterrent. This focus on self-defence capabilities is the key priority for the defence ministry,” he said.

Taiwan.President Lai Ching te

William Lai Ching-te said a “proportional self-defence count-attack will be carried out,” once China makes the first move. As we have seen countless times in conflict, that first move could be made by either side and blamed on the opponent. The Art of War is akin to a Hunter Biden drawing where nothing makes sense and those in charge have no understanding of what they are doing. The US has been unsuccessful in every war venture since World War II. And frankly, the US didn’t have a need to involve itself in any battle since then but went to war based on false flags such as “weapons of mass destruction” that were never found.

So the West is considering reissuing frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. China has carefully watched the West aid Ukraine over the last few years, and sees it is willing to take on the economic repercussions of a foreign war. China sees the West becoming involved in Israel’s battle that also seems to have no end in sight. Leaders like US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen claim that the US certainly can fund multiple wars, but the truth of the matter is that America is broke. Our adversaries see that we are wearing ourselves thin and striking will be far easier than before.

Taiwan’s New President Speaks Out Against One China Policy


Posted originally on May 22, 2024 By Martin Armstrong 

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te is beginning his reign by condemning the One China policy and calling upon Beijing to allow the nation to be an independent democracy. A “glorious era of Taiwan’s democracy has arrived,” the president stated in his inaugural address, adding that Taiwan is an “important link [in a] global chain of democracies.”

Lai of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is a strong proponent for sovereignty and is rallying up patriotism among his citizens. While most of the nation’s 23 million citizens agree, threatening the One China policy will come at a cost. Taiwan could never defeat China without help, which they are already openly receiving from the West.

“Taiwan independence is a dead end,” the Chinese Communist Party said in a statement. “Regardless of the pretext or the banner under which it is pursued, the push for Taiwan independence is destined to fail,” declared China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. Beijing has called Lai a “troublemaker” and has threatened to prosecute him for his statements. China is warning the West not to interfere, yet the West has already begun sending Taiwan military aid. China’s Commerce Ministry recently issued sanctions against the US for selling arms to Taiwan in what they believe is a threatening act.

Former President Tsai Ing-wen was cautious when dealing with China. The new president can speak out against China in a more profound manner because he knows he has the support of the West, with the neocons eager to wage yet another war. Taiwan has ramped up defense spending to $20 billion; the West has begun propaganda campaigns citing that China, akin to Russia and Ukraine, will continue nation-building if their grip on Taiwan is not loosened.

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“So long as China refuses to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, all of us in Taiwan ought to understand, that even if we accept the entirety of China’s position and give up our sovereignty, China’s ambition to annex Taiwan will not simply disappear,” Lai said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he looks forward to working with President Lai “across Taiwan’s political spectrum to advance our shared interests and values, deepen our longstanding unofficial relationship, and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.” China has called this message dangerous, and President Xi is aiming for a “reunification” with Taiwan to promote the “natural rejuvenation” of China.

The drums of war, especially an escalation of tensions with China, have been booming since the May 7 turning point. China will not act unless provoked, and the West is beginning to chip away at China’s patience by siding with Taiwan over a matter that can only end through warfare.

Troubles in Asia


Posted originally on Feb 12, 2024 By Martin Armstrong

South Korea Share Market KOSPI 200

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has escalated tensions with South Korea by declaring his “legitimate right” to annihilate its southern neighbor. This latest threat comes amid heightened provocations and strained relations between the two nations, further raising concerns about regional stability. We will be doing a Special Report on Asia. This year 2024 is a serious Directional Change. We are looking at much more instability in Asia.

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Meanwhile, Taiwan hosted the first of many critical elections in 2024 elections that are going to reshape the global political outlook into 2032. Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) defeated Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je.

Lai’s victory is not welcome news in China. His stance as a pro-independence supporter has softened over the last decade; he now emphasizes that the Republic of China, Taiwan’s formal name, is already a sovereign state, so independence is unnecessary. Yet many are deeply concerned that Lai’s presidency may further worsen relations with China.

Once again, 2024 is a Directional Change, and we have a Panic Cycle in 2026. It looks like war into 2028.