4 ms·
Does this mean a bijection between the natural numbers and the rare-earth elements? :) But really, is this one of the reasons the Senkaku/Diaoyu fight is so he
by lainga 9y ago
Does this mean a bijection between the natural numbers and the rare-earth elements? :)
But really, is this one of the reasons the Senkaku/Diaoyu fight is so heated? Forget national pride or fishing rights, China doesn't want to see its rare-earth monopoly undermined by deposits in Japanese waters (hypothetically).
EDIT: Never mind, Minamitori is near Wake Island in the mid-Pacific.
- lisper 9y agoWhy "never mind"? Wake Island is disputed territory (per Wikipedia "The island is an unorganized, unincorporated territory of the United States that is also claimed by the Republic of the Marshall Islands"). This could get interesting if China suddenly makes friends with the RMI.
- lainga 9y agoThat is an interesting point, but I think the PLAN can bring force to the East China Sea disputes much easier than something between Guam and Wake. I don't think the US would allow them to even build up forces in the Marshalls without hostilities.
- lisper 9y agoThey wouldn't do it by building up forces, they would do it by building an airport. https://nextcity.org/features/view/the-worlds-emptiest-airport-is-a-red-flag https://nextcity.org/features/view/the-worlds-emptiest-airpo...
- lainga 9y agoI can see where you are going, but there is a big difference between building dual-use infrastructure and actually moving forces there. If the Liaoning and its screens decide to weigh anchor and steam halfway toward Hawaii, the entire world and the USN will probably wake up and say "oh shit, what are you doing?"
- SaintGhurka 9y agoI think what the parent was pointing out was the infrastructure China built in Sri Lanka eventually led to SL deeding over some territory to China to cover the debt. I guess the implication is that they'll get Marshall Islands indebted to them, force them to sign over their claim to Wake Island to settle the debt and then China would somehow militarily press that claim.
- lisper 9y agoOr something like that. The Chinese are currently playing a much longer game than any other nation on earth.
- lisper 9y ago"We are defending the Republic of the Marshall Islands at the behest of the government thereof."