Tag Archives: Hong Kong

Oct 22 2023

China Moves Six Warships into the Middle East Amid Rising Tensions


Posted originally on the CTH on October 21, 2023 | Sundance 

Please remember the global economics of the thing always aligns with the motives and outcomes of the thing.  Remember, Saudi Arabia just joined the BRICS coalition, BRICS+.

A new report shows China is moving six additional warships into the Middle East amid concerns the Israeli War could expand into a larger regional conflict.   China is aligned with multiple interests; and cunning Panda also supports the Biden administration end goal of a two-state solution in Israel.

(UK EXPRESS) – China has deployed six warships to the Middle East as the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates, according to reports.

The 44th naval escort task force – from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theatre – has been involved in routine operations in the region and spent several days in Oman last week.

The Chinese warships left Muscat for an unspecified location on Saturday after participating in an exercise with the Omani navy.

The task force includes the Zibo, a guided missile destroyer, the frigate Jingzhou, and the supply ship Qiandaohu – all of which will be stationed in the Middle East as Israel prepares for a ground invasion of Gaza.

During the visit to Oman, Chinese commanders met with Omani military officials and visited military institutions, while sailors from both countries toured shops and even organized a basketball game, according to a state news agency.

Since arriving in the Gulf of Aden north of Somalia six months ago, the PLA task force has been involved in escort missions for shipping.

However, it handed over its mission to the 45th task force – from the PLA’s Northern Theatre command – earlier this month.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said on Thursday that a two-state solution to establish an independent Palestine is the “fundamental way out” of the Israel-Hamas war. (read more)

We need to keep watching these developments closely.

The U.S. has positioned two carrier battlegroups in the Mediterranean.   One group contains the USS Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer assigned to USS Ford Carrier Strike Group 12.  The Carney traveled through the Suez Canal Wednesday and immediately intercepted 4 cruise missiles and 11 drones from an unknown origin with an unknown destination. {Go Deep}

The original Pentagon statement has not changed in the past 48 hours.  Unknown origin, unknown target.  The missiles entered the protection zone of the strike group, so we shot them down.

All of the follow-up reporting about Yemen and Israel, as the origination and target respectively, has come from high level “U.S. government officials,” not the military.   That approach indicates a sensitive political matter, with the Biden administration (State Dept, NSC and Intel) guiding and controlling public information very carefully.

If you just stick to the Pentagon as the source of information, there has not been a change since the original report to the media.

Something remains sketchy.   I’m still not sure what it is, but something is not passing the sniff test.

China now moves six additional ships into the region.

What interests specifically is China planning on defending?

Also, Asia Times 

Sep 18 2023

Beijing Sanctions US Arms Manufacturers


Armstrong Economics Blog/World Trade Re-Posted Sep 18, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

The US and China are at odds again. China is now sanctioning Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman for providing Taiwan with weapons. Last month was the first time that the US government approved direct military assistance to Taiwan. Previously, the US fulfilled its obligation under the Taiwan Relations Act without providing direct aid. This is a five-decade change of course for the US, so we must wonder why. Taiwan may be the most hot-topic item for China, and they have zero tolerance for anyone disobeying the One China policy.

“Despite China’s firm opposition, the US government is determined to provide weapons to Taiwan… seriously harming China’s sovereignty and security interests, and going further and further on the wrong and dangerous road of arming Taiwan,” stated Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning. Taiwan received $345 million from the Biden Administration in July from what they referred to as leftover stockpiles from aid to Ukraine.

Certain components may become more expensive, but the sanctions will not hurt Lockheed or Northrop. The real issue here is that the US continues to provoke China after 50 years of accepting Taiwan as part of China. I’m not saying what is right or wrong, but the fact of the matter is that the US is not the world police. We are a broke and broken nation that needs to focus on our domestic policies. Suddenly, all of our enemies are out to get us — China, Russia, North Korea — and the pro-war politicians are ready for this period of peace to be over. Everyone and everything outside the nation is now a threat. Never mind the invasion at the borders, inflation, rising public and private debt, etc.

Spokesperson Wu Qian claimed that the US was only trying to strengthen the US military-industrial complex. “US military aid and sales to Taiwan only nourish the US military-industrial complex while harming the security and well-being of Taiwan compatriots,” Qian noted. “In this regard, the People’s Liberation Army will, as always, take all necessary measures to resolutely counter it.” The military-industrial complex is in full swing and doesn’t need a global war; everything runs deeper.

Neocons on the left and right want to arm Taiwan. There is no shortage of war, but they are adamant on provoking China in order to start World War III. These Neocons mistakenly believe the Russia-Ukraine war will deter China from attacking Taiwan, but that is a blatant lie. If anything, the war in Ukraine has proved to China and Russia that they can establish their own alliances and no longer need to rely on the West.

Sep 13 2023

China to Implement Dress Code


Armstrong Economics Blog/International News Re-Posted Sep 13, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

China is considering a new control tactic by dictating what people can wear. We see this in numerous Islamic nations where women are forbidden from being in the public eye uncovered. However, China’s upcoming dress code is not due to religion. China is seeking to eliminate any attire that could be seen as anti-government or not aligning with Chinese values.

The National People’s Congress’ Standing Committee said that antipatriotic is “detrimental to the spirit of the Chinese nation.” Extreme fashion trends favor and celebrate individuality, a big no-no in CCP culture. Tattoos are also under question as they are associated with “overseas culture,” “feudal superstition,” and “gang culture.” The State Cyberspace Administration actually prohibited social media platforms from showing tattoos and businesses may fire employees for getting ink. Taxi drivers, for example, were told to remove any large tattoos in the city of Lanzhou as it “may cause women, children and other passengers feel psychological discomfort.”

The CCP has not detailed what clothing would be prohibited but stated that anything that could “hurt the nation’s feelings” could be banned. You don’t have to wear a “f—the government” or Winnie the Pooh shirt to receive a fine. One woman was reportedly detained by authorities for posing in photos wearing a Japanese kimono. “The police said what I did was wrong. I feel powerless … I like Japanese culture, European culture and I also like traditional Chinese culture. I like multiculturalism, I like watching anime, is it wrong that I like anything?” the woman posted online. Yes, in China that is wrong because the government wants to be the ultimate authority and does not want its citizens influenced by other cultures, especially the likes of former enemies like Japan or the West. Nationalism and pride in one’s culture come before individualism, a concept celebrated in the West. Dressing in woke attire, such as men wearing clothing meant for females, also may be banned. These are simply concepts that are not tolerated by the CCP.

Those who disobey the dress code could face a fine of 5,000 yuan ($681 USD) and up to 15 days in jail. Half a month behind bars for wearing the wrong clothing. Government tyranny has never been limited to one form of government — the control they have over our lives is unbelievable.

Sep 6 2023

Chinese Migrants Actively Breaching US Military Sites


Armstrong Economics Blog/War Re-Posted Sep 6, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

This entire migrant crisis would not be permitted to occur under anyone but the untouchable Joe Biden. Reports have circulated at the Department of Defense, and FBI tracked more than 100 incidents of Chinese citizens breaching military bases by posing as tourists. I mentioned in an earlier blog how there were reports of military-aged Chinese men with military-styled haircuts lining up at the border. They have now become bolder in their attempts to shake US national security.

Trained Chinese soldiers were found scuba diving in Florida to a site where the US military commonly launches rockets. These “migrants” attempted to cross into a missile range in New Mexico. A group of Chinese nationals told the guards at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, that they were tourists and had reservations at a hotel on a military base. The FBI said that some of these Chinese migrants strategically used Google Maps to locate the nearest fast food restaurant near a military base. They have been trained and provided specific targets.

An FBI agent told Fox News: “The Chinese government is engaged in a broad, diverse campaign of theft and malign influence without regard to laws or international norms that the FBI will not tolerate. In coordination with our defense and intelligence community partners, along with state and local law enforcement, the FBI is committed to protecting our national security and defense information from the Chinese government’s actions and ultimately, their efforts to undermine our democracy and those who defend it.”

How could they possibly protect Americans when untold numbers of migrants are crossing the border each day? It is easy for the average man to enter the US-Mexico border, but a trained soldier will have no problem bypassing the barely existent security checkpoints. The enemy is already on US soil, plotting their next attack, and the US government is doing absolutely nothing to prevent it.

Aug 25 2023

BRICS Economic Bloc Expands Adding Iran, Argentina, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Ethiopia During Summit


Posted originally on the CTH on August 24, 2023 | Sundance 

The original BRICS economic alliance between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa has expanded today.  During the summit held in South Africa, the group which is home to about 40% of the world’s population and a quarter of global gross domestic product, voted to accept the applications of Iran, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Ethiopia.

What we see forming now is further evidence of the great energy cleaving.  As most western nations chase the World Economic Forum’s priority around ‘climate change’, the BRICS alliance hedges for more traditional energy sources (oil, natural gas, coal).  China will benefit the most as the Western industrial economies will not be able to compete in a global market using windmills and solar panels.

The western alliance (yellow) will be chasing climate change energy policy to power their economies.  The rest of the world (grey) will be using traditional and more efficient energy development.  The global cleaving around energy use would be complete.

This is not some grand conspiracy, ‘out there‘ deep geopolitical possibility, or foreboding likelihood as an outcome of short-sighted western emotion.  No, this is just a predictable outcome from western created events that pushed specific countries to a natural conclusion based on their best interests.

(New York Times) […] On Thursday, the bloc revealed its decision, adding six new countries, including the staunchly anti-Western Iran, in an apparent victory for Beijing.

The inclusion of Tehran tilts the bloc more in opposition to China’s chief rival, the United States, and signals that Chinese pressure largely outweighed the qualms of India and Brazil, which want to maintain friendly ties with the West.

“Iran, obviously, is a complicated choice,” said Cobus van Staden, a researcher with the China Global South Project. “I can imagine that some of the other members worry that it might increase geopolitical tensions with Western powers, which I think it kind of inevitably would.”

The addition of Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia gives the group more financial heft. It also bolsters Beijing’s bid to demonstrate to the world that it has growing support for its agenda despite having alienated many countries in the developed world over its ties to Russia.

“This membership expansion is historic,” China’s top leader, Xi Jinping, said on Thursday at the end of the meeting. “It shows the determination of BRICS countries for unity and cooperation for the broader developing world.”

China did not get everything it wanted, however. It had pushed for Indonesia to be invited to the group. The reason for Indonesia’s omission was not immediately clear.

Still, the appearance of a success for China may turn out to be the most significant takeaway from the summit, which failed to deliver on the long-stated goal of establishing a BRICS currency to rival the hegemony of the U.S. dollar. The group instead encouraged members to use local currencies in trade. (read more)

The currency issue is likely to be a more complex undertaking as it does not make sense to establish trade in an alternative currency until the arrival of the Central Bank Digital Currencies.   The most likely path for global energy trade will be in the form of a digital currency exchange amid the BRICS+ group.

More than 40 additional countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS, say South African officials, and 22 have formally asked to be admitted.

Everything inside this dynamic appears structurally centered on the full cleaving of the energy sector into two bipolar worlds. One economic system focused on green energy policy, the other economic system working via traditional energy development.

Aug 22 2023

Digital IDs in China – THE GREAT RESET IS HAPPENING NOW


Armstrong Economics Blog/Great Reset Re-Posted Aug 22, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

The mainstream media does not want the West to know what is happening in China because the people would be frightened and begin to rebel. The media wants you to believe that China is “experimenting” with digital IDs that are linked to bank accounts and impacted by social credit scores, but they’re already there. TikTok is one of the last platforms where users throughout the world can share personal news without censorship. In the video above, a Chinese woman is explaining how she “once again cannot buy food.”

Her story is one example of how the digital ID program will work. She attempted to buy a new phone linked to a Chinese bank account to bypass the digital ID, but since her cousin purchased the phone, she was unable to log on because the phone was flagged. China has been testing this system since 2018 and had a soft launch in March, when Chinese Premier Li Keqiang announced that 100 million citizens would be issued digital identification cards. As always, they market this as a mere convenience.  “One policy from the government this year is to make ID cards electronic, so that relevant information can be accessed by a simple scan of the code on the cellphone,” he said.

Simply look at the articles regarding digital IDs and the praise they receive such as “offering an omnichannel experience” or even calling the provinces that have instituted the measure “digital ID havens.” They tout how citizens can access public venues with facial recognition technology. What they fail to mention is that the government now owns its citizens. All of their data, from where to go to what to buy, is tracked and harvested. One misstep and a person can and will be financially excommunicated from society.

Welcome to the Great Reset. China already had a firm grip on its population that was already battered after what it did during COVID. Remember, Trudeau said China is his ideal form of government. All of the West will watch this play out in China to determine how they can implement it too. They will market this to the sheep as a technological achievement to be celebrated. Those who can think independently will not go down without a fight. We must wake up and realize that the global elite is implementing the Great Reset.

Jun 20 2023

Palestine Enters the Chat


Armstrong Economics Blog/War Re-Posted Jun 20, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met with Chinese President Xi Jinping for a three-day visit. Xi called Abbas a “good friend” and said that China fully supports Palestine. “We have always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights,” Xi stated. China and Palestine have had good diplomatic relations for years, but this is the first time Xi fully committed to helping Palestine restore statehood.

Peace talks between Palestine and Israel ended in 2014. China may have mended tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, but Israel-Palestine is another issue entirely. The land dispute in this region can be traced back to biblical days. Historians believe Palestine comes from the word “Philistia” or Philistines who are cited in the Torah and Old Testament as sworn enemies of the Jews. Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike know the story of King David battling the Philistines to become king of Israel, albeit they all interpret him a bit differently.

The region has been taken over by numerous empires over the ages. More recently, after the demise of the Ottoman Empire during the Great War in 1918, the British claimed Palestine. The British then established a Jewish nation in the region in 1923. Two decades later, in 1947, the United Nations decided to split Palestine into two states – one Arab and one Jewish. Arab leaders disagreed with the ruling. Britain withdrew, Israel then became a state in May 1948, leading to the Arab-Israeli War. The war ended in 1949, with Israel claiming control of over two-thirds of the territory. The two have been at odds ever since.

That is an extremely over-simplified version of events, but the hatred runs deep. The West has fully supported Israel in maintaining its territory, and China’s intervention in Palestine will be seen as a threat. “We especially appreciate the Chinese side’s commitment to financing a number of development projects presented by Palestine. We wish the speedy dispatch of technical delegations to implement these projects,” Abbas said. China is strategic. They want to assert dominance in the Middle East, where the West has lost its footing nearly everywhere besides Israel.

Jun 7 2023

Iran and Saudi Arabia – Mutual Friends


Armstrong Economics Blog/World Trade Re-Posted Jun 7, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

Iran and Saudi Arabia are now mutual friends through China. The two countries had been sworn enemies since the beginning of time, representing conflicting Shiite and Sunni Muslim groups that have been battling since their religion was founded. They were murdering one another through a proxy war in Yemen that has left over 150,000 dead. Then the unthinkable happened – the two nations came together at the request of China and made amends.

Chinese President Xi Jinping made them an offer they couldn’t refuse – the potential to form a strong alliance through trade without Western influence. Saudi Arabia issued a shocking press release in March, given the deep hatred it had for Iran. Saudi Arabia stated it was keen on “developing good neighborly relations…in light of their brotherly ties.”

Now, Iran announced it is reopening its embassy in Saudi Arabia as the two continue to put their differences aside for the prospect of economic prosperity. The embassy closed abruptly in 2016 after Saudi Arabia executed a Shiite cleric, leading to mass protests outside the embassy in Tehran. Riyadh and Tehran have not had diplomatic relations since.

Iran and Saudi Arabia would like to join the BRICS alliance between Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. If the two nations join, all major energy exporters will be within this alliance. BRICS currently contains 42% of the global population and over a quarter of the global economy. There would be absolutely no need for Western interference, and the threat of sanctions would hold little meaning. Saudi Arabia has already begun settling some oil transactions in the yuan instead of the dollar. Iran has been aggressively trading with the bloc; non-oil trade between BRICS and Iran reached $38.43 billion in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, marking a 14% year-on-year increase. China is Iran’s top trading partner in the BRICs alliance, with $30.32 billion of the aforementioned funds going directly to Beijing. An alliance could mean economic domination.

China seems to have done the unthinkable by brokering a peace treaty between the two nations. Opening an embassy signals that the countries are now ready to begin diplomatic relations once again. The BRICS alliance is growing stronger by the day, and there are rumors of the UAE, Egypt, Algeria, Bahrain, and even Turkey requesting to join. As our models have been warning, China is posturing itself to claim the throne of the financial capital of the world by 2032.

Jun 5 2023

Tiananmen – 34 Years Ago, Tonight


Posted originally on the CTH on June 4, 2023 | Sundance 

It was 34 years ago tonight when the Chinese government sent the Mongolian Army into Tiananmen Square to crackdown on the mostly student protestors.

It is against the law in China to recognize today, memorialize the dead, or even speak publicly of this bloody anniversary. Few people know the short and long-term political ramifications to this event which extended far beyond the borders of China.

Many people are familiar with this image:

However, not as many people are as familiar with the wide shot.

That’s some serious courage right there.

The June 4th 1989 anniversary holds a great deal of personal significance for those who witnessed the events.  Many of us remember exactly where we were as the first reports started to leak out.

Few people know how most of the regular Chinese military refused orders to open fire on the protesting crowd. Hundreds of young Chinese military soldiers actually formed lines around the mostly student activists in an effort to protect them. The Chinese government eventually bypassed the regulars and instructed the Mongolian military divisions who carried out the orders.

No one really knows how many were killed, and even the families of the fallen were too scared to speak publicly.

Those who were lost live on in whispered memories of lore.

So many.

So young.

We remember.

…Then the tanks came….

Jun 1 2023

Youth Unemployment in China


Armstrong Economics Blog/China Re-Posted Jun 1, 2023 by Martin Armstrong

Chinese youth are struggling to find jobs in urban areas. Unemployment for the 16-to-24 demographic reached a new high in April at 20.4%. Youth unemployment has steadily risen this year after reaching 17.3% in January, 18.1% in February, and 19.6% in March. These young adults were born under the one-child policy that has since been repealed, adding more pressure to succeed to help support their families.

The main change here is that this generation is highly educated. Working in the countryside or in blue-collar roles became less appealing as the opportunity to attend college became widely available. Additionally, China is shifting to a consumer country, and high-paying jobs in the city are more desirable. Chinese students are encouraged to study STEM and seek out top-earning positions. There were 96.37 million people aged 16 to 24 living in urban areas as of March, and 64.18 million were unable to participate in the workforce as the majority were students. Those students are now graduating, and many will be unable to find work in their field of study, similar to most nations.

Unemployment remains low among the “main labor force” aged 25 to 59, but Chinese youth will need to compete for highly desirable jobs in the cities. The new generation is smart, highly educated, and willing to work. But competition will be fierce.