(12-22-2018 10:34 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote: Chinese are not bent for world domination, far from it. They're too diverse a people to work on an effort like that requiring great national will and cooperation. The Japanese-if they had those numbers and that much geography-yes. China-no.
This is not to say China won't be a major player, if they can reform their economy. They will-IF they can reform their economy.
I've been to China 8-10 times. Fascinating people. But they've gone pretty much as far as they're going to go with a centrally planned economy. President Xi knows that, but there are too many old communists who want to hold onto their power and are fighting his reforms. It'll be interesting to see whose going to win over the next few years.
If you are talking about the average Zhang or Zhung Doe you are correct. Much like the average American, clueless and in their own little world.
China has several hundred ethnic groups as I am told by friends who both live and have lived while working there. One in far NE China and the other in S.W China. So diverse in this sense too. But the power is held by those who have Han ancestry. They don't look favorably on others.
The government, that only has turnover by death (natural or execution) or dismissal to re-education camps does have that goal and is clearly executing on it. To state otherwise is naive.
Domination not in the sense that every other country is enslaved but is subservient to China economically, politically and culturally.
Internal opposition in China is either executed, arrested and literally enslaved or is unashamedly marginalized by clear and direct policy and enactment of that policy.
That's the home team.
For us in the other uniforms the Chinese aren't stupid enough to start a war, yet. Certainly not a world war. But like Russia, will lop off a Crimea, Japanese Island or two and has eye on former Soviet State.
The company in the article is looking to "own" the communications market. Not for the $ persay though they'll take that but for the ability to out flank, blackmail and dominate others by way of the intel it provides.
I work at 2 Government Labs here in the states and work with numerous Chinese Nationals and Russians. I don't fear a one but then some suddenly disappear and when I ask their compatriots the answers are .... dubious.
I also have 2 sets of friends one who still lives and works there and a couple with children who were given 48 hours to leave. Both entirely different perspectives and experiences. Totaling 35 years in China between the 2. The ones expelled were simply so because they were Christian missionaries working with the Uyghurs. Most are nominal Muslum. But being discriminated against and with some radicalized the entire group is targeted. But anything or anyone that isnt "on board" is dealt with harshly. The expulsion is nothing. Several of their friends who had converted to Christianity are still doing hard time for simply "believing".
BP, you're well educated and traveled. But like too many others don't get it.