Changing World

The world is changing bigly and fast. World politics and economics are like a complicated chess game with the four major players of USA, China, Russia and the European Union (EU), but mainly it is the US trying by all means to slow down the rise of China and to maintain its hegemonic position in the world. In that sense, the US is not only against China and Russia, but also the EU and the whole world. 

The Ukraine War is not only a war between Ukraine and Russia. It is rather a US' proxy war against Russia. Ukraine is a weak link being played more than being a strong player itself. Affected by the Ukraine war, Europe so far appears to be a loser and cannot afford to "obey" Uncle Sam to completely cut economic ties with China.  

While the US brought many years of wars and destruction to the Middle East, China has just brokered a peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran. It appears that the Middle East is leaving the US for China. No more wars and destruction. It wants peace and development. 

Africa pretty much has been won by China. Except Canada, Central and South America, and Mexico, all seem to look to China and the East.  

Asia is booming economically and doesn't want war. It wants peace and stability. Yet, the US has been playing the Taiwan card, to stir up conflicts between China and Taiwan. After Ukraine, another provocation to push the People's Republic of China (PRC) into taking military action, the un-given-up last option, to unify Taiwan, the Republic of China (ROC)? It is also a profiteering opportunity for the US to sell arms and weapons to the pro-independence Taiwanese Government. 

The weaponization of the US Dollar by Uncle Sam has scared off many countries. De-dollarization is picking up in speed. A long line-up of countries want to join the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). 

The declining US can no longer be the hegemon of our becoming multi-polar world. It is just too late to make America great again.

Edi Lee for Peace   ***   Fast Edi Thoughts and Comments     

Ukraine (2)

I wrote about Ukraine back on March 4,  2014. Looks like what I said back then has become tragically real. 

West Ukraine is pro-USA, NATO and the West. East Ukraine is pro-Russia. NATO broke its promise not to expand Eastwards, causing threat to Russia's security. Current president of Ukraine Zelenskyy insisted on joining NATO while Joe Biden failed to guarantee to Putin to never accept Ukraine NATO membership. 

Uncle Sam is never a peace maker. The warmongering American politicians want to " divide and conquer " and would play many tricks to prevent Russia, China, even the European Union (EU)  from becoming too strong thus losing the US' dominant position in the world. Anyway, let's pray for peace. Any way you look at the current war in Ukraine, the Ukrainians are the greatest losers and sufferers. 

Fast Edi Thoughts and Comments    ***   Edi Lee for Peace  

Hong Kong - Macau - Zhuhai Bridge

The world’s longest sea-crossing bridge has opened. The 55 km (34 miles) Hong Kong – Macau – Zhuhai Bridge links Hong Kong to Macau and mainland China, cutting travel time many times faster. This impressive engineering feat to create connectivity between Hong Kong and mainland China is praised by some but criticized by others. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On the positive side, it is believed that it will help economic development of and bring prosperity to the Greater Bay Area which covers 11 cities and 68 million people. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On the negative side, it is said to be a waste of money. China bashers can’t lose any chance to bash the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC), complaining that it drags Hong Kong closer to Beijing’s grip. O My God, the China / Hong Kong border has been erased! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These are my thoughts and comments: Hong Kong had been a British colony for 156 years. It returned to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997. Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, so did Macau in 1999. Which makes more sense, to strengthen the Hong Kong / China border, or loosen, even erase it? Under the Schengen Agreement, most European Union (EU) members allow free flow of people between nations. But easing the border and allowing the free flow of people of Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China, all Chinese people of the same country is wrong? --------------------------------------------------------------------- The idea and request of building this bridge originated from some Hong Kong merchants and business people, not out of Beijing’s desperate need to drag Hong Kong to its grip. Hong Kong and Macau are already within Bejing's grip. Rather, Beijing supported this mega project for the benefit of China and the Chinese people, especially the Greater Bay Area. China bashers talk like Hong Kong is still a British colony or an independent country, and the evil Chinese rulers are coming to take over Hong Kong. The truth is this: in 1997, China did not “take over” Hong Kong. China “took back” Hong Kong from the Brits.

Steel and Aluminum

Donald Trump is an agitator. He has been stirring up all kinds of political, economic and military storms everywhere, and then his words and positions are ever changing from one day to another. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trump is not only against China in her so-called unfair trading, but now he is also against Canada, Mexico and the European Union (EU). So far it appears that he is good at breaking deals, but not making deals. I am waiting to see what he is going to do with the upcoming summit with Kim Jong-un of North Korea. I still wish him success in bringing peace to the Korean Peninsula. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regarding Canada and U.S. relations, it just doesn’t make any sense for Trump to say that the U.S. is under threat and security risk of Canada. Why subject Canada to steel and aluminum tariffs? Please don’t give me a stupid answer of why not.

Brexit

I don't have the right to vote. I'm speaking as a Canadian only. To me, Canadian politics is so much simpler. I don't have deep knowledge of British politics, but I've done some studies about Brexit. 

This is my opinion: either you are in or you are out. It is not good that you are in, but not quite in, which is the current situation. If I am a British citizen, I'll vote yes, leave the EU. It may hurt a little in the short run, but in the long run, U.K. will get back its ' full ' sovereignty with no higher EU authority above. The U.K. Government will become ' more free ' to do good for the British people, and ' more free ' to work directly with other countries, without having to consult or be subject to the approval of a higher EU Authority. 

I'm not asking for a debate please. I'm only giving my opinion as an observer. I know there are also the Stay-No-Brexit people. I'm sure they have their good reasons why they want to stay. Peace ! 

Greece and China

In the news, 3 Chinese warships have arrived in Athens for visit.

My thoughts and comments:

The Eastern Civilization was much influenced by the Chinese Culture, and the Western Civilization was much influenced by the Greek Culture. Right now, Greece is having a very tough financial time. The country is near bankruptcy, and it may leave the EU (?). Who is going to help Greece? Greece may have to turn East to China for help.

It is already happening, that China has been investing billions of dollars in Greece, from railways to sea port, and from container terminal to air port, etc. etc. Allowing foreign navy and warships to visit your country is a good sign of friendship and acceptance. I always feel happy to see countries make deals and secure agreements peacefully, instead of fighting, killing, engaging in warfare and screwing one another.

Happy New Year of the Sheep. Peace to the World !

 

Peeping Sam

In the news, Uncle Sam spies on not only his own American citizens, but also the citizens and countries of the whole world. The U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) spies on everyone: its own citizens, foreigners, friends and enemies, the European Union (EU), even the United Nations (UN) and more than 80 embassies and consulates.You are not a terrorist, fine, but Uncle Sam can still be watching you anyway. Does Uncle Sam care about people's privacy and international law at all? I remember an old joke question,"What do you call a Chinese spy?" The answer is "Peking Tom". It gives way to my question, which is not quite a joke, "What do you call an American spy?" The answer is "Peeping Sam".