A Confused Ma

As Ma Ying-jeou was wrapping up his tour of Taiwan's allies in the Pacific, he commented that checkbook diplomacy is no longer being used, and that countries such as Australia should start up relations with Taiwan (read trade agreement) just as a trade agreement is on deck for Taiwan and China. Furthermore, he uses China as an example of how countries should have closer contact with Taiwan and have better relations, just as China has done.

What? To most of the world outside of the Taiwan Straits, in general China is viewed as a threat to Taiwan. We all know about the media propaganda that the minute Ma Ying-jeou stepped into office, relations between the Taiwan straits have improved. You know what actually has improved? China's military advantage against Taiwan. The latest U.S. military report on the regional area in Pacific Asia is:

The build-up of Chinese armed forces is continuing "unabated" and Beijing's goals appears to be power projection beyond Asia and to challenge America's freedom of action in the region, a top US admiral has said.

So how exactly are ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan good for Taiwanese? If this is the type of "better relations" that Ma thinks of, perhaps he shouldn't be president in 2012.

Breaking Down Barriers

Another "peace" and "confidence" building measure on "both sides" has the Taiwan military taking down the underwater sea barricades (spikes) and landmines on Kinmen. As with all previous agreements that have symbolized the growing "peace" between the two sides, Taiwan once again takes it up the butt and China runs away with nothing.

Notice that it is only Taiwan's side that is removing defense measures from a strategic military point on Kinmen. Is China also removing some defense measures in Xiamen also? How about those 1,400-1,800 missiles that are or will be ready for Taiwan over the next couple years (hard to get exact numbers, but the main idea is that China has not reduced the number of missiles pointed at Taiwan since the cross-strait "peace measures" started last year on May 20th, 2008)?

Are the Taiwanese worried yet? Not yet, but the way I see it, lets hope for the 2nd phase of this bear market to ensue, because as long as the stock market continues up, the sad thing is that the majority of Taiwanese will continue to put up with Ma Ying Jeou.