Potential Flashpoint for Internatinal Conflict

I agree that these disputes have been going on since before the end of WW2.  I’ve been following China closely since the Tienanmen square incident.  What IS different is the strength of the Chinese position and the degree to which the Chinese leaders benefit from this.  China’s growth of on average 10% GDP a year means there economy is about 1000% bigger than it was in 1989.

Clyde, did you read the article by chance?

China’s worst outbreak of anti-Japan sentiment in decades led to weekend demonstrations and violent attacks on well-known Japanese businesses such as car makers Toyota and Honda, forcing frightened Japanese into hiding and prompting Chinese state media to warn that trade relations could now be in jeopardy.

Worst in decades is something new in the last few decades.  I’m no chicken little sir, but I do think this is a bit more heated than most borders.

I’m hoping the US has some Machiavellian scheme in progress.  Trade some jobs and wealth to move China from a nuclear armed nation in 1970 that nobody could have leverage against to a nation it is today wholly reliant on making their middle class happy with modern trinkets based on imported raw materials.  In the 70s most Chinese were too busy trying to stay alive so really what could be done against China other than nuke them and take a few nukes back from the meager arsenal of Chinese ICBMs (100 nukes in total?).  Now an easy to enforce naval blockade would change things on the ground in China.  The question, what will that change bring?

Japan and China trade barbs at the UN.  Japan drops the “Your mamma” bomb, the Chinese ambassador had to be held back by the North Korean ambassador!  Well not quite but Japan did drop the “Under international law it’s ours so nah nah.  Since it’s ours there is NO dispute to talk about!”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19754353

I find China to be a fascinating topic.  I’ve spent most of my life in Canada 20 miles from the US border.  Growing up next to a giant I think it will be interesting to watch how that giant reacts when it realizes there is another giant in the same room.  One can only hope the new giant will be as relatively friendly as the old giant is now.

The US has a history of not wanting to be shackled by international law hence it has yet to sign onto the UN international law of the sea.  Should that same choice be afforded to China?  I for one would like to see the rule of law apply everywhere and wars between nations become a thing of the past.  Now for the details, ah the devil in the details!

I would also like to see these laws applied to labour standards so China loses some of its competitive advantages due to brutal working conditions and state manipulation.

This segues into a discussion in my facebook group about bringing jobs back to North America.  An interesting article on that:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19736039

I think the same stats apply, a few years ago if you ranked the top few destinations for Chinese exports it was USA then Walmart in #2.  No sure who much penetration walmart has there, they are a bit behind in Canada compared to the US.  Amazing how Walmart imports more chinese products than any other nation other than the one its located in.  Really tough to find north american produced items in Walmart.

Those underpaid (compared to western standards) workers have a far better life than being a poor farmer.  Labour conditions are getting better and the Chinese labour price advantage is starting to shrink.  Of course so is the middle class in North America.  I have no problem with China stepping up, just not at the expense of us stepping back.

But competing against a country where their workers live 8 to a dorm and work 70 hours per week and can flush toxic chemicals down the toilet is not fair trade.

http://technology.canoe.ca/2012/09/25/20229631.html

A strong assertive modern China will hold the US in check and force the US to be more honest.  I like that a great deal.  I like competition as long as everyone plays by the same rules.  I like the fact if the US wants to bully Canada over oil or softwood lumber then Canada will just sell to the Chinese.