Chinese President Xi has been hailed with a personality cult akin to support for Chairman Mao, at least in some circles. As if the Xi personality cult wasn’t enough, China also saw a bloodless victory in the Philippines. In an… Read More ›
Month: October 2016
The Philippines and China will have a deal rather than a fight – 2016 update
In my 2013 Nov 27 China Daily Mail article, I wrote that: “… Aquino’s personal style of high profile leadership will be ended by the completion of his tenure. Both ordinary Filipinos and the powerful oligarchic groups such as Cojuangco,… Read More ›
Cadence Column: Asia, October 24, 2016
Pro-China legislators blocked the swearing-in of pro-Independence lawmakers in Hong Kong. Pro-Independence activists from Hong Kong told Taiwanese not to give up on independence. China said that independence for either Taiwan or Hong Kong is a “futile” plot. Then, Hong… Read More ›
China acquires Syngenta for US$43 billion – China’s biopolitics
The USD43 billion all-cash acquisition of the world’s largest agrochemicals company Swiss Syngenta AG by China National Chemical Corp (ChemChina) — the biggest ever Chinese overseas corporate purchase — would probably materialise after the U.S. national security panel CFIUS granted… Read More ›
Cadence of Conflict: Asia, October 17, 2016
China expanded its network this week. The focal point was the BRICS summit. But, China also expanded its network into Space, sending Shenzhou 11 to the Tiangong 2 Space laboratory. Meanwhile, back here on Earth, China’s solar, trade, and finance… Read More ›
Hong Kong MPs defy China during swearing-in ceremony
A swearing-in ceremony to kick off Hong Kong’s legislative session descended into a farce, as newly elected pro-democracy politicians intentionally mangled their oaths in a show of defiance against Beijing. The MPs also displayed flags declaring that Hong Kong is… Read More ›
Cadence Column: Asia, October 10, 2016
The tied rises and falls, but tensions only rise in the Pacific, week after week. This week, China and its old buddy, Russia, were seen in public together. And, it seems China has a new friend in the Philippines’ defense… Read More ›
Philippines, US halt plans on joint South China Sea patrols
Philippines Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Friday that he told the U.S. military that plans for joint patrols and naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea have been put on hold, the first concrete break in defence cooperation after… Read More ›
Cadence of Conflict: Asia, October 3, 2016
With the US continuing its shift to Asia from the Middle East, China faces a choice. Beijing knows that various and sundry forces in the Middle East are a growing threat—as well as in Malaysia and other places Chinese have… Read More ›
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