Attempts
to Manage China’s Continuing Unethical Trade Practices And Behavior Won’t Work.
(Revisited)
I published a blog a few weeks ago titled Will China Take Asian Territory by Force? I put it on my company’s blog, which has no real following. So, you could say I was simply venting.
Rereading it was interesting to me. The same issues, I wrote about before are progressively worsening, with the Presidential Candidates putting out meaningless statements and sound bites about Asia and China. The Press seems content with basic headline coverage about this region.
China
has stolen intellectual property, falsified financial reports to Wall Street,
plus hacked our government’s and industries’ computers. They sell us chips that apparently
have
spyware.
They
have been menacing Japan and South East Asia.
You have to wonder what the Candidates’ plans are for dealing with
China? No one has really asked them. Obama has done some things, but that is
lightly reported. The US files
complaints to the World Trade Organization and China files counterclaims.
What
is needed is a similar policy to what President Clinton and his representative
Mickey Kantor applied to Japan, years ago.
Reduce Chinese products or raise import taxes, until they start
behaving. China doesn’t care what we
think, no matter who is charge there or in Washington. They only care about what they think. They will not cooperate unless their wallets
are threatened.
They
are executing their own agenda, with no concern about the US using trade as a retaliatory
weapon. They are in no shape to sustain
any kind of trade sanctions, even small ones.
It is very simple. When a child
is petulant or misbehaves, you put them in time out or take something
away. Same methodology should be applied
to the PRC, or things will get much worse.
Rewarding China’s bad behavior only green
lights more of it.
The
Media isn’t asking any relevant questions about China’s
ongoing conflicts with Japan or Southeast Asian Countries, principally the
Philippines. Japan and china could go to war. Where's the coverage by ABC, CBS or NBC?
The Media provided a plethora of insincere, abstract go nowhere, statements about China, from Romney, during the 21012 Elections. If Romney had been elected, wouldn’t that be akin to the proverbial mouse guarding the cheese, when it comes to The PRC, due his China investments? Why wasn’t Romney ever asked about Obama’s Pivot Policy for Asia?
The Media provided a plethora of insincere, abstract go nowhere, statements about China, from Romney, during the 21012 Elections. If Romney had been elected, wouldn’t that be akin to the proverbial mouse guarding the cheese, when it comes to The PRC, due his China investments? Why wasn’t Romney ever asked about Obama’s Pivot Policy for Asia?
Obama
knows much more than he is saying or can say. There seems to be an attitude by the
administration and the Media not to ruffle feathers with the PRC, since they were
picking new leaders, who might be reformers. They seem worse.
Bloomberg says is a very sensitive time for the Chinese. Many media organizations have said that the new Chinese leaders need to get in place first and then reforms will take place. Really? China is not going to modify its behavior with new leadership.
Bloomberg says is a very sensitive time for the Chinese. Many media organizations have said that the new Chinese leaders need to get in place first and then reforms will take place. Really? China is not going to modify its behavior with new leadership.
What
reforms are they pining about? Since
when has it been the Media’s job to help another country? Why afford China with such empathetic,
special treatment? Some coverage by the
so called pillars of Journalism read as they are mouthpieces for the PRC.
Oh
yeah, and Libya, is still on the front burner.
I think it should be covered, but not to the extent it is. Secretary Clinton blames herself for the security
lapse. I believe that Mrs. Clinton is
the only person in Washington that gets the various foreign policies. The Philippines just gave her their highest civilian medal for service.Thank you Mrs. Clinton and can we now move on
to larger issues?
The
majority of the people are not living the great Chinese economic dream. In fact, nothing has really changed for
them. This is why their leaders keep
them nationalistically whipped up against Japan and over ancient claims to Japanese
islands, which are said to be a wealth of natural resources. I honestly don’t believe Western leaders know
what to do about China, except take it.
Below
is what I wrote over two a month ago. It’s
still 90% timely, at this writing. China is still behaving in a very dangerous way. I would like to know
what the administration’s plans are for China?
Will China Take Asian Territory by
Force?
- Disputed Far East Asian Islands May Have Massive Natural Resources.
- Economic Wars And Possible Military Conflicts Underway In East And Southeast Asia.
©Millennium
media entertainment
10-01-2012
By John Sheehan
*Note: This
piece is meant to primarily inform Major News Organizations about events and
major issues unfolding quickly in Southeastern and Eastern Asia. My hope is that more responsible News
Coverage of this region will commence. I
admit that I have interjected a few personal opinions about the current
coverage, by the Major Media Organizations.
The
World Press Organizations are the supposed custodians of Public Interest
via Journalism, right? Why aren’t any of
them reporting or commenting much, about what is going on in the Far East Asia? Is it just me? I opened Google News and there’s more Libya
coverage, than about some very serious problems, in the Far East. What is going on with you Journalistic
Torch Bearers of Truth and Public Trust?
Don’t
you care that the ownership of possibly the largest untapped oil and natural
gas reserves on Earth, are being contested now, in the Far East? Or are Mitt Romney’s random attempts at
redefining himself, his inaccurate accusations and musings, just much more fun
to report?
Why
is the ongoing Libya story more important than covering the fast, unfolding
China-Japan conflict or The Philippines-China one? These conflicts are over Japan and The
Philippines protecting their sovereign territory, from an aggressor. Both nations have defense treaties with the
US.
The
conflicts are also about the potentially vast, untapped energy resources, in
these islands. Japan and China are the
second and third largest economies on Earth, with Japan withstanding the worst
of their territorial disagreement with China.
It would be far better for the world’s economies if these islands remain
in Japanese and Filipino hands.
Don’t
you think we should know what the Presidential Candidates think about this,
before the debates, and the November vote?
It could be useful knowing what they would do, if elected, about these
struggles in the Far East over oil and gas deposits. Not to mention the ethics of not allowing
China to rape their neighbors’ natural resources.
Japan
has already been damaged by the economic warfare, instigated by China. There is a possibility of a military conflict
in the Far East, where an economic brouhaha is already underway, between these
two long time American Allies and China.
And, America is obliged by treaty to protect both nations. The outcome will be driven by what China
instigates in the future.
The
PRC is claiming almost all of The Western Philippines (South China) Sea, based
on some obscure ancient maps. Their
unprecedented claim includes offshore islands belonging to the Philippines. China has also claimed some Japanese islands
in East Asia, too.
There
are currently two US Navy carriers, with escort ships, off the islands
controlled by Japan and disputed by China.
It is much as warning, as showing the flag.
It
has been reported locally that 80 more Filipino Marines have been added to the
two Philippines Marine Battalions stationed in the Palawan Province. The offshore Filipino islands, called the
Spartly Islands, are part of the Palawan Province. They are well inside the Philippines 200 Mile
Economic Zone, as defined by the UN’s Law of the Sea.
The
PRC is outside of any maritime economic zone, these islands are in. China is over 500 miles away, has become
increasingly aggressive and menacing since claiming these islands and the
surrounding waters. The Chinese recently
ravaged acres of Filipino reefs and even accidentally ran warship aground on a
reef, stranding it.
Last
month, the Japanese news organization Kyodo, claimed that 50 to 60 US Marines
were also deploying to Palawan, to set up an advance command post. The Philippines Defense Secretary Voltaire
Gazmin denied the Japanese report.
Nothing
much has been reported about China behaving badly, their dishonest economic
international maneuvers and PRC’s economy possibly imploding, is being reported
in-depth. You
really need some new material, for the public.
Here’s
a softball. Ask the US Leaders about current Asia issues. Inquire
how these issues could affect Americans, in the future? That means that you will have to do a little
homework. May surprise you that there is bipartisan agreement on this. Why don't you inform the public that Republicans and Democrats don't necessarily disagree on every thing?
This
isn’t just about China forcibly taking another countries’ property. The disputed island groups potentially have
huge untapped natural gas and oil deposits, as I already said. China desperately wants these deposits, for
obvious reasons. Japan had a similar
problem prior to World War Two.
The
US is making a major policy shift in the Far East and that is being basically
ignored by the major press organizations.
The Libyan people and government have gone out their way to apologize to
America. If the Oval Office Race was a
hamburger, the Libyans would be the pickle.
Get over it.
This
is about the US’s long term future and thus, should be a bigger issue for both
Candidates, than you have allowed. But,
the Press rarely questions either Candidate about China or its ambitions.
It
is news worthy that in Asia, countries are quietly lining up, if not hiding
behind The Philippines resolute efforts to stop the Great Chinese Land Grab, in
Southeast Asia. The Philippines has no
interest with being a cat’s paw for Japan and their immense problems with China. That is America’s job to help moderate
Chinese ambitions in the Far East.
Toward
that end, US forces are being beefed up in the Region, which is a major
undertaking and policy shift. In the
meantime, The Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia, not backing
down from China’s dangerous overtures.
President
Obama personally recently shut down a Chinese owned windmill farm in Oregon,
because it was being built too close to a Navy installation. This got scant coverage. Why has there been so little coverage even
after Obama ordered the Chinese to dismantle all completed construction? Maybe if John McCain complained, then this
would be a story.
Japan
would like to shift some China’s aggression away from themselves, toward the
Philippines. Is Misery is looking for
company? Japan has been emotionally
and economically pummeled by China, over the last few years. And, Chinese hostility toward Japan is still
growing.
Read
the solicitous Japan Times warning to Southeast Asia that China’s behavior with
Japan affects them too. The author also
laments about the safety of Chinese descendants scattered across the region. Was that a bone for China that the Japanese
are concerned about people of Chinese decent or to simply to redirect the PRC’s
wrath? I am not sure if The Japan Times
was putting forth a warning or threat.
Senkaku row reverberates across southeast Asia
Japan
is no position to stop China from taking some uninhabited rocks in the East
China Sea, if they wanted to. (Update: Experts say they could win a Naval battle with China) Japan
seems to be leaning toward The Philippines and/or the US doing the heavy
lifting, so as not offend China further.
Yesterday, the Japanese Prime Minister shuffled his Cabinet, adding a
new minster, China might like better.
Noda brings tanaka, jojima into cabinet
The
Japanese have also been obtusely trying to hitch their China problems to the
Filipino obdurate position that that no islands, in their maritime territory,
will be ceded China. The Japanese would
like to give the Philippines a dozen new patrol boats, but no decision has been
announced yet, by Filipino Authorities.
Meanwhile
the Pacific Fleet is on patrol in Japanese held waters. If China really did attack Japan’s or the
current possessions of The Philippines, life in America will be disrupted
enormously, further damaging the already ailing American economy. The US could find itself conflicted with the
world’s third biggest military and second largest economy, which would be a
global disaster.
China is irrational and unstable
I
think a possible martial conflict is a year or two away, if all this continues. China is economically and internally unstable. These factors have put PRC leadership in
survivor mode and thus, make them dangerous.
They are using these Far Eastern islands conflict to inflame
nationalism, distracting the Chinese people from looming negative economic and
social issues. In short, they could
implode economically.
The
PRC’s leaders are hanging onto public and political control by any means, they
deem necessary. Acquiring these islands,
sooner than later, would be a real boost to the Chinese economy and the
leadership’s prestige.
The
PRC is digging a hole with the Far Eastern countries, it may not be able to get
out of. They may not want to in the
short run, to keep the nationalistic home fires burning. That by itself is dangerous internationally
and long term, internally.
Here's
part of why the PRC Leadership is currently loaded with plenty of
resentment and anger at the US. America
protects Japan and those nuisances in the Philippines, who won't take their
marching orders from Beijing. The PRC is
trying to implement their own version of Manifest Destiny in Asia. They want to US to get out of their way.
PRC
leaders send either menacing or soothing messages daily, via their various
media outlets. In the morning, the
Chinese sound like they might waltz in and take whatever they want in the
Philippines.
After
lunch, they offer to modernize the military here. By day’s end, the Chinese are calling in a
loan. They are sending very erratic
messages to Japan, as well.
I
admit to be overstating the issue timelines, but the Chinese change their
tactical tunes toward the Philippines and Japan, almost daily. Both Japan and The Philippines are
continually trying to resolve these problems, through diplomacy.
I
think the PRC is very serious about their issues with Japan and this isn’t new. Last year they cut off rare earth exports to
Japan, over the arrest of a Chinese fishing boat captain, who ordered his crew
to ram two Japanese patrol boats. The
Chinese ship had been caught illegally in Japanese waters.
Nothing
is said in the Chinese Press, not pre-approved by top party leadership. My personal favorite was a recent claim by a
Chinese TV News Anchor that Okinawa belongs to them.
China
is making the similar claims about Northeast Asia waters, which they have about
Southeast Asia’s. China has had several
misguided adventures in The Philippines, as in the case of running a destroyer
up on a Filipino reef. It is hard to
measure how much of this bluster, at least for now.
They
are in an unhealthy mental state. Launching
an out of date aircraft carrier, that no has planes aboard, is mind boggling. But it is a window on their delusional
thinking. They want to scare their
neighbors, by putting an antiquated aircraft carrier to sea, without any
aircraft aboard. I did notice the
American press acknowledged the Liaoning commissioning.
Many
American Press Organizations blathered on around the Chinese carrier's
existence. None noticed that the used
Russian ship, has no planes, and won't for years. Claiming that Southeast Asian countries are
worried about the Liaoning is lame.
Why do you all think that?
The
Wall Street Journal's Asia Edition gushed for paragraphs about how the
carrier got its name and how China pounded Vietnam back in the 80's, over some
disputed islands. Excuse me, what does
this have to do with anything now, except the PRC's fondness for land grabbing
by force, where they can? How does this
all tie together in 2012?
Regardless,
this carrier is not a great strategy for the PRC to bank on, considering that
the now growing, very real, powerful Third and Seventh Fleets (Pacific Fleet)
are in the neighborhoods. Plus, the US
Third Marine Division is based on Okinawa.
The
US Military is designed to fight two wars.
In addition to the Fleet(s), The US Air Force has a sizable bomber group
on Guam, USA.
Southeast Asia
China
has been menacing the Philippines over the Spartly Islands Group, for many
months. The Spratlys are within 200
Nautical Mile Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines, according to the
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They
are administrated as an integral part of the Palawan Province.
China
is over 500 miles away from the Spartlys.
But, The Chinese really don’t care since they believe that most of
everything in the South China Sea (also called Western Philippines Sea) is
simply theirs, anyway. And that is that,
according to the PRC. And, China wants
more islands, they claim were stolen.
Northeastern Asia
China’s
other claim is in the East China Sea, where there are Japanese held islands,
said to possibly have abundant natural resources, known as the Senkaku Islands
in Japan and the Diaoyu Islands in China.
The
BBC reports: The eight uninhabited islands and rocks in question lie in the
East China Sea. They have a total area
of about 7 sq km and lie northeast of Taiwan, east of the Chinese mainland and
southwest of Japan's southern-most prefecture, Okinawa. They matter because they are close to
strategically important shipping lanes, offer rich fishing grounds and are
thought to contain oil deposits. The
islands are controlled by Japan.
Japan
and China are on a collision course over Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands. China is dangerously wound up and the Chinese
people have rioted over this issue. Japanese
businesses have been burned, ransacked and Japanese people in China have been
assaulted. Japan is being the patient
placater, for now. It has gotten so bad,
that many Japanese companies have closed down or suspended operations, in China. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but there were
Japanese executives in the Philippines last week, scouting for more business
sites.
Chinese
mobs recently went after the US Ambassador, which was lightly covered. Guess the focus remained on the unfortunate
tragedy in Libya. But, in the scheme of
things, the PRC’s aggressive behavior in Asia is a much bigger issue than
rehashing Libyan security over and over.
The
Japanese-Chinese conflict has gotten more international press than the issues
facing the Philippines. Guess that is to
be expected since there is so much money on the table. Most the reports about Japan’s situation seem
stitched together. The reports are a
little stark, lacking understanding or journalistic empathy, judging by what I
have seen. There is virtually nothing
about this being reported by the major Television News Networks. Furthermore, it appears corporate profits now govern
coverage decisions.
The
Media is still seems more locked on Japan’s nuclear issues. The war of words between Japan and China is
serious worrisome and neither is bluffing.
Japan warns china against 'attacks' in island spat
Agence France-Presse
Japan 'Stole' Our Islands: China Tells Un
Agence France-Presse
US
Naval Services seem to have their plans made for Iran, in the event of war and
are planning for one here. Last week,
there were two stories about The Philippines and US strengthening military
ties:
Pentagon official sees 'liftoff' of us-ph alliance
US-Philippines Alliance Critical To Asia-Pacific,
Official Says http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=118016
The
Philippines Foreign Secretary also warned China to stay out of Filipino territory, last week.
DEL
ROSARIO: PHILIPPINES WILL RESPOND TO CHINA SHIPS
The
Eye of the Typhoon might be here, on Palawan, since the Spartlys are part of
this province . The Philippines has
stood up to the Chinese repeatedly, over keeping their sovereign territory. They are counting on the Americans honoring
the mutual defense treaty between both countries, which now includes Australia,
should real trouble break out.
This
Western Philippines Province has Filipino Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force and
Navy Units stationed here. US
Expeditionary Marines (MEU-SOC) visit regularly, conducting joint exercises
with the Filipino Marines. These
exercises are always called Balikatan by the Filipinos. It means Shouldering the Load Together. The actual translation is as much emotional
as literal, in Tagalog. To Filipinos,
Balikatan means that the two Marine Corps have a brotherly, working
relationship.
The
US Marines will be back soon to practice humanitarian natural disasters relief
procedures, with the Filipino Marines. Also,
US Navy Attack Subs have been seen provisioning in both Manila and Cebu.
What about (where is it) coverage?
The
only consistently functional and reliable source the major press organizations
uses very much is AP., as I said at the top.
Is there perhaps a neo-colonialist attitude by the American
Press, who doesn’t seem to want to collaborate with any Far Eastern news Media
Organizations? Why?
Does
News only exist when and where the Establishment World Media says it
does? Unfortunately, this is true, as it
applies to Asia. You decide which issues
around the world to report and they then, become defacto News. This was the same coverage practice prior to
war with Japan. No one saw it coming
since they were not paying any attention.
The
Mainstream American Press rarely sources the Asian News Media and never about
the issues I have been discussing, herein.
That makes coverage generation rather difficult. So, what is up with the attitude? Why not exchange or co-opt information with
them?
An
irresponsible Overseas Press in many ways is more dangerous to sustainable
growth in the Philippines and its neighbors, than the PRC. People in Europe or the Americas only know
what they see, hear or read. Story
selection, balance, getting it right and journalistic empathy, are very
important to these economies. It is
ethically reprehensible and irresponsible, to anything else.
What
is reported around the world affects tourism and the overall economic growth by
this country and others in the Region.
Many people here view the overseas press with suspicion and almost as an
enemy. This is from negative news
reporting in lieu of a balanced reportorial approach, to their current events.
This
is because the Mainstream Overseas Press is somewhat here and not here. What reporting there is done, usually has
little understanding, empathy or balance.
This only injures economic progress in the Emerging Southeast Asian
Region. Anything negative is reported
all over the world immediately and causes damage if only part of an issue is
covered or if just wrong.
Rarely
is anything positive reported and there are plenty of those stories to tell,
which could benefit the Philippines and the other Southeast Asian countries’
economic growth and development. These
countries have problems, like anyone else.
Next? Zeroing in on specific
problematical tangents, harms these countries and there is no excuse for doing
that. It is shoddy journalism.
The
Philippines have had a remarkable democratic and economic turnaround under President
Benigno Aquino's Administration. Aquino
ran for president promising to rid his country of corruption. His polling results indicate the Filipino
people are happy with what his administration is doing. Aquino has a near 80% approval rating nationwide,
in recent polls.
It
is seems rare this days, that the Filipino Media isn't reporting stories about
new corruption related charges. People
at all levels in the government. from
police officers to a former president and Supreme Court Chief Justice, have
been charged with graft, corruption or plundering.
Everything
is been done by the book. Those
charged have or are being processed very carefully, according to the laws. The Philippines is not some Banana or
Coconut Republic. It's a Western
country and the oldest democracy in Asia.
It
should be noted that The Philippines is third largest English speaking Country
on Earth and the most literate in Asia. Both English and Tagalog are the Official
Languages of The Philippines. Higher Education
is taught in English. And, for what it
is worth, The Philippines is the world's third largest Roman Catholic nation.
Tourism
is seen as major way to improve the economy in the Philippines and the
neighboring countries. These countries
get millions of tourists annually, since they are relatively safe to travel to,
exotic, pretty much hassle free and the people are friendly.
Any
stories unfairly negative or substantially wrong get swift attention by the
affected governments. Sadly, sometimes
they just sigh, and move on. Not much
they can do about being skewered by the International Press. I am sighing now.
I
decided a few years ago to come back to the Philippines, after a nearly 40 yearlong
sabbatical. Filipinos are excellent
people, in so many ways.
The
Philippines has a wonderful culture and is comprised of very intelligent people. I am convinced if a nose count is done in
Heaven, there would be many more Filipinos there, than Americans.
Don't
misunderstand these nice people. Should
China make good on one of their 1,000 threats, the Filipinos will fight. They don't care if they are out gunned. Most Filipinos love their country, which has
some islands bigger than several Western European countries. Be tough to totally subdue the Filipinos in
an environment, they know.
I
have assembled some YouTubes which hopefully describe what is going on in The
Philippines and in the region, which I hope causes interest.
War...Though The Eyes Of RT Television (Russian--
has some small facts wrong. Their
handpicked Commie expert is fairly rabid, but great TV. This guy would be great material for Jon
Stewart. They are really sore that they
just can't have their way. More
background on this link. (Former
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is facing several charges of corruption.)
More From The Russians...Good video and you can see where I live;
On Palawan---colored yellow.
War on Terrorism (USA Today doesn't know that the
Americans are SEALS and Marine Recons--not soldiers and most the Filipinos are
RPMC...still good little piece. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKytYXR2Eew&feature=related
US And Filipino Marines (Balikatan)
WARNING---by Aljazeera English. However, most experienced Ex-Pats over here
tell me they feel that Aljazeera’s coverage is much fairer and unbiased than
anything done, in America or Europe. They
have locals on the payroll and generate a lot of stories.
The Home Team Will Fight If Necessary
Thanks
for reading this and I hope your organization finds it useful.
John Sheehan
Millennium Media Entertainment
214-628-6236 (Usa)
johntsheehanmme@gmail.com
Skype: John.Sheehan67
https://www.facebook.com/pages/millennium-media-entertainment/74464753836