4 ms·

Yes, China has become a major problem.

shiroiushi 3y ago
Russia is the bigger problem currently, most likely. China isn't trying to conquer its neighbors, just one of them, and also the South China Sea. The Russian people, however, really do want to re-establish a Russian empire of some sort. They don't really have the economy or means to do so, but they do have a bunch of nukes (which may or may not be fully operational) to cause a lot of damage with, and they have a geriatric dictator with possible mental problems who they wholeheartedly support.
- mindslight 3y ago
  I don't see why it's even a dichotomy as pushed by GP. Russia is now the junior partner in the Russia-China relationship against the US/EU international order (as opposed to the Cold War). Putin is actively testing the strength of that international order, Xi is mostly passively watching and biding time. The outcome of Russia-Ukraine will most certainly determine how aggressively China acts going forward.
  - shiroiushi 3y ago
    >Russia is now the junior partner in the Russia-China relationship against the US/EU international order (as opposed to the Cold War). China: "The circle is now complete. 50 years ago, I was but the learner. Now, I am the master."
    - fragmede 3y ago
      plus that whole China being older than Russia thing
      - shiroiushi 3y ago
        I don't see how: China only started in 1949. The USSR is older than that, while the USSR's zombie reincarnation is only about 30 years old. If you're talking about historical China, then you might as well talk about Genghis Khan or the founding of the city of St. Petersburg or whatever; it's kinda pointless because modern nation-states don't resemble those ancient societies at all.
        fragmede 3y ago
        it's not pointless, it's history. Genghis Khan and St Petersburg are good examples.
        shiroiushi 3y ago
        No, it IS pointless. The society that existed in Khan's day doesn't resemble modern society in any way. So by your logic, the United States is actually tens of thousands of years old, because it started when the Native Americans crossed the land bridge from Asia, and various countries in sub-saharan Africa are several millions of years old because that's when modern humans first evolved there.
- more_corn 3y ago
  It starts with one. If China attacks Taiwan uncontested it’ll look to the next opportunity.
ffgjgf1 3y ago
I’m not sure China was ever particularly interested in conquering foreign countries now or historically (not saying Taiwan is not a real country but it’s not really foreign and certainly an exception in most ways). On the other hand violent imperialism has been a core aspect of Russian culture for centuries.
- The_Colonel 3y ago
  Historically, countries gave up on their imperialism after major defeats. That's one reason Russia can't come out of this war with a win, it only invites repetition.

Russia is the bigger problem currently, most likely. China isn't trying to conquer its neighbors, just one of them, and also the South China Sea. The Russian people, however, really do want to re-establish a Russian empire of some sort. They don't really have the economy or means to do so, but they do have a bunch of nukes (which may or may not be fully operational) to cause a lot of damage with, and they have a geriatric dictator with possible mental problems who they wholeheartedly support.

mindslight 3y ago
I don't see why it's even a dichotomy as pushed by GP. Russia is now the junior partner in the Russia-China relationship against the US/EU international order (as opposed to the Cold War). Putin is actively testing the strength of that international order, Xi is mostly passively watching and biding time. The outcome of Russia-Ukraine will most certainly determine how aggressively China acts going forward.
- shiroiushi 3y ago
  >Russia is now the junior partner in the Russia-China relationship against the US/EU international order (as opposed to the Cold War). China: "The circle is now complete. 50 years ago, I was but the learner. Now, I am the master."
  - fragmede 3y ago
    plus that whole China being older than Russia thing
    - shiroiushi 3y ago
      I don't see how: China only started in 1949. The USSR is older than that, while the USSR's zombie reincarnation is only about 30 years old. If you're talking about historical China, then you might as well talk about Genghis Khan or the founding of the city of St. Petersburg or whatever; it's kinda pointless because modern nation-states don't resemble those ancient societies at all.
      - fragmede 3y ago
        it's not pointless, it's history. Genghis Khan and St Petersburg are good examples.
        shiroiushi 3y ago
        No, it IS pointless. The society that existed in Khan's day doesn't resemble modern society in any way. So by your logic, the United States is actually tens of thousands of years old, because it started when the Native Americans crossed the land bridge from Asia, and various countries in sub-saharan Africa are several millions of years old because that's when modern humans first evolved there.
more_corn 3y ago
It starts with one. If China attacks Taiwan uncontested it’ll look to the next opportunity.

ffgjgf1 3y ago

I’m not sure China was ever particularly interested in conquering foreign countries now or historically (not saying Taiwan is not a real country but it’s not really foreign and certainly an exception in most ways). On the other hand violent imperialism has been a core aspect of Russian culture for centuries.

The_Colonel 3y ago
Historically, countries gave up on their imperialism after major defeats. That's one reason Russia can't come out of this war with a win, it only invites repetition.