Red Star Over China

The actions China has taken with the Arab Spring and now wit the Occupy Movement really show how much control they wield when it comes to the media. It also shows how reliant modern movements are on the social media and how the presence of uncensored social media can do great things and the absence of it can make it very difficult for movements to get off the ground. It’s a double edged swords to say the least.

It seems with the establishment of a US Marine base in northern Australia it is likely we will see many more of these military exercises from both the US and China. These two nations will be scrambling for areas of influence in the area for years to come. China looks to be establishing itself in the form of Navy power among its neighbors while the US seems to be reasserting its naval dominance and building on its previous alliances in the region. I think that eventually China will see some gains in influence in the South China Sea because it does have some legitimate claims but the US will not go down without a fight and will sure up its alliances quickly, ie Japan, Korea, and Australia. It will be interesting to see if the US 7th fleet which is stationed around Taiwan carries out any of its own exercises in the next few months. 

I can’t help but wonder what a free Tibet, under the newly elected PM would look like. Like the article and video state Sangay is the first democratically elected leader of the Tibetan government. Does the fact that the Tibetans in exile follow an elected leader now debunk the Chinese argument for preventing the government in exile from returning? I think not.  Almost all actions, when it comes to issues like this, by the Chinese government is based around saving face. Even if this government is not longer lead by the Dalai Lama it is still a representation of him.  The Dalai Lama and the Tibetan culture are one in the same and this will always keep the Chinese government’s current policy on Tibet the same.  Who knows what the next incarnation of Chenrezig/Avalokiteshvara will do and whether or not he will want to take control of the government again. 

The two major roadblocks to this bill, China and Russia, have abstained from the vote which basically will allow it to pass. What was the deciding factor for China and Russia to abstain on this bill rather than the previously proposed European one? Do China and Russia have closer loyalties than others believe? I think that when it comes to the UN Security Council it is obvious that is correct. While, it only takes one veto from one of them to stop a bill, two is always better than one.

interesting approach.

pilarlagos:

A day before the G20 Summit began in France, and in hopes of influencing foreign liders, Tibetans around the world joined the Global Day of Action to protest against China’s oppressive policy on Tibet, that led 11 Tibetans to self-immolate this year as a cry for help.

About…

Who knows what we will see from the US and China in the years to come on the Tibet issue. I will say that it seems that the US is at least willing to use the Tibet issue as a playing chip in the passive aggressive conflict between the US and China. I think this is shown in the acceptance of the Dalai Lama by President Barack Obama last year. Lets hope that the Tibet issues doesn’t stay as a simple “playing chip” in the game between the US and China. I hope to one day see H.H. the Dalai Lama able to return to his homeland in my lifetime. 

renminribao:

just love this guys photos

Does the U.S.military really build another base in the region? I am think that this expansion has a lot to do with the rise in China’s military spending, specifically its expansion in a blue water navy.