Gov. Blinky Ishihara wants to buy the Senkaku Rocks

[Samurai_Jerk]

Please someone finally tell me what a "taco bell" is and why it is associated with digestion problems?

Mexican themed fast food...

Last time I was in the States I finally tried one of those Doritos Locos Tacos that everyone has been going on about and which has made Taco Bell the hottest fast food in America.

It was

[matsuki]

Last time I was in the States I finally tried one of those Doritos Locos Tacos that everyone has been going on about and which has made Taco Bell the hottest fast food in America.

It was

Really? I love those things!!

[Samurai_Jerk]

Last time I was in the States I finally tried one of those Doritos Locos Tacos that everyone has been going on about and which has made Taco Bell the hottest fast food in America.

It was

Really? I love those things!!

I actually like Taco Bell for what it is: dirt cheap "Mexcian" food for when you're drunk or have the munchies. However, I had a Cool Ranch Doritos Locos and was surprised by just how bad it was. I should say that it was at an airport Taco Bell so that might have been the problem. Airports somehow manage to make even processed chemical laden factor produced fast food taste worse than it already does.

[Russell]

China Imposes Restrictions on Air Space Over Senkaku Islands

In a move certain to escalate tensions with Japan, China’s Ministry of Defense on Saturday issued what amounts to a heavily regulated air zone over much of the East China Sea, including the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands.

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[Yokohammer]

China Imposes Restrictions on Air Space Over Senkaku Islands

Another worrying development.
China keeps upping the pressure. Abe keeps bolstering his nationalistic policies.
Neither side is prepared to compromise, and the chances of a serious confrontation keep getting higher.

[yanpa]

'Twas on the news just now that it was all some sort of "misunderstanding".

[kurogane]

Impudent as it is, it seems to be a rather loose restriction. It's not a No Fly zone by any means. Still, China's mimicry of its former imperial masters is quite impressive. Next thing they'll want to enforce their right to sell opium to the islands' inhabitants. Goat Smack. It's got a ring.

It is a shame there's obviously no phrase for Bald Faced Hypocrisy in Chinese.

[Russell]

Impudent as it is, it seems to be a rather loose restriction. It's not a No Fly zone by any means.

If an airliner fails to identify itself to China while flying in Japanese air space, it may be shot down by China.

Calling that a "rather loose restriction"?

[kurogane]

Impudent as it is, it seems to be a rather loose restriction. It's not a No Fly zone by any means.

If an airliner fails to identify itself to China while flying in Japanese air space, it may be shot down by China.

Calling that a "rather loose restriction"?

In practice, yes, because they already do that, from what I read anyways (on the BBC, I thinks). Hard to see another Korean Air 007 happening these days. I think the main change here is that China is openly admtting it is a country of emospazztic creeps.

So we are united in our condemnation.

[Russell]

'Twas on the news just now that it was all some sort of "misunderstanding".

I couldn't find this in the news?

Instead, I found this:

U.S. vows to defend Japan after China announces new air zone

The United States said Sunday it was “deeply concerned” and committed to defending Japan after China announced an air zone in the East China Sea that includes disputed islands.

In a move that U.S. ally Japan branded as “very dangerous,” China said it was setting up the “air defense identification zone” over the islands administered by Tokyo to “guard against potential air threats.”

In similar statements, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking from Geneva, and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said Sunday that the United States was “deeply concerned” about the moves by China, which also scrambled air force jets to carry out a patrol mission in the newly declared zone.

“This unilateral action constitutes an attempt to change the status quo in the East China Sea,” Kerry said.

“Escalatory action will only increase tensions in the region and create risks of an incident,” the top U.S. diplomat said from Geneva, where he was taking part in talks on reaching an agreement with Iran on its nuclear program.

Kerry said that the United States has urged China to “exercise caution and restraint,” and warned Beijing against implementing its new zone.

“We urge China not to implement its threat to take action against aircraft that do not identify themselves or obey orders from Beijing,” Kerry said.

Hagel reiterated that the Japanese-administered Senkaku islands—which the Chinese claim and call the Diaoyu—fell under the U.S.-Japan security treaty, meaning that Washington would defend its ally Tokyo if the area is attacked.

“We are in close consultation with our allies and partners in the region, including Japan. We remain steadfast in our commitments to our allies and partners,” Hagel said.

The defense chief made clear that the United States, which stations more than 70,000 troops in Japan and South Korea, would not respect China’s declaration of control over the zone.

“This announcement by the People’s Republic of China will not in any way change how the United States conducts military operations in the region,” Hagel said.

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[Coligny]

Oh boy did the cold war get restarted good...

[Russell]

The map is in this Twitter message.

According to one comment, the Socotra Rock (Ieodo), normally under South-Korean control, also falls in the new Chinese "territory".

Will be interesting to see how the South-Koreans will react.

[matsuki]

Could this be Darwin's solution to China's insane population?

[Mike Oxlong]

Could this be Darwin's solution to China's insane population?

Wasn't that Chairman Mao?

[matsuki]

Could this be Darwin's solution to China's insane population?

Wasn't that Chairman Mao?

Well, seems like there is always a line of different ways that cuntry is ready to implode.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Could this be Darwin's solution to China's insane population?

Wasn't that Chairman Mao?

I know I shouldn't but ...

[Coligny]

Could this be Darwin's solution to China's insane population?

Wasn't that Chairman Mao?

I know I shouldn't but ...

Communism don't always work... /le_sad

[legion]

I don't think the party is in full control of the military in China, and I don't think this bodes well. They have a demographic timebomb which will make Japan's problems look like a prequel. When this kicks in, and everyone starts fighting for their piece of their already hollowed out pie, heads will start rolling. Whether it goes up internally or externally is anyone's guess. However China has a lot of neighbours, Russia and India among them, so they will find themselves over extended if they decide to externalize their issues.

The Chinese military have grown too used to shooting unarmed monks and drugged criminals, they are certainly going to find battle hardened Uncle Sam a bit of a change.

[Russell]

To make it worse, their male/female birth rate is skewed in favor of the males. Societies like that usually seek to correct it by getting on the war path...

[Wage Slave]

I don't think the party is in full control of the military in China, and I don't think this bodes well.

I'm not sure the party is is in full control of anything in China. Not the civil service - look at the scandals, nor the people. There have been incidents of riots over hospital care, corruption, abuse and so on but when the government encouraged people to take to the streets more generally against Japan over the rocks I got the impression things were starting to slip out of control pretty fast. A lot of the anger looked to me like it was actually directed at the police as representatives of the government.

I heard a report on the radio recently expressing the same opinion and saying the Chinese government got a nasty wake up call to say the least. I am not sure now which dissident group or academic it was from.

Anyway, it's striking that the people who loudly proclaim China's imminent dominance in all things everywhere ignore the massive and deep seated economic and social problems the mass of people still face.

[matsuki]

The Chinese military have grown too used to shooting unarmed monks and drugged criminals, they are certainly going to find battle hardened Uncle Sam a bit of a change.

When old/used Russian weapons are a step up from what you produce locally, it's not the best idea to start making threats against ANYONE with decent weapons. I always hear people touting how many people China has...history seems to always side with the superior weaponry/tactics. (Not to mention, all those people are useless if they can't move them to other cuntries to attack...)

[Mike Oxlong]

How did the Korean Conflict turn out again?

[matsuki]

How did the Korean Conflict turn out again?

I dunno yet, still waiting

[Coligny]

The Chinese military have grown too used to shooting unarmed monks and drugged criminals, they are certainly going to find battle hardened Uncle Sam a bit of a change.

When old/used Russian weapons are a step up from what you produce locally, it's not the best idea to start making threats against ANYONE with decent weapons. I always hear people touting how many people China has...history seems to always side with the superior weaponry/tactics. (Not to mention, all those people are useless if they can't move them to other cuntries to attack...)

I don't share your views on the state of obsolescence of PLA's arsenal...

They have a tv channel (phoenix sumthing) where they show of their stuff... Also... License build SU-27/family fighters are nothing to laugh at... And, just look at the A10 and B52... You don't need the latest shiniest tool for blowing shit up...

[legion]

I don't share your views on the state of obsolescence of PLA's arsenal...

They have a tv channel (phoenix sumthing) where they show of their stuff... Also... License build SU-27/family fighters are nothing to laugh at... And, just look at the A10 and B52... You don't need the latest shiniest tool for blowing shit up...

A Scud missile for example?

The male female ratio is a big issue, which might get cured by Russian women taking over the country.

[Russell]

I always hear people touting how many people China has...history seems to always side with the superior weaponry/tactics. (Not to mention, all those people are useless if they can't move them to other cuntries to attack...)

Well, for sure the Chinese will come.

But only one by one...

[Coligny]

A Scud missile for example?

The male female ratio is a big issue, which might get cured by Russian women taking over the country.

The Scud/al hussein/nodong whatever despite being a museum grade POS. remain a threat inversely proportionnal to the efficiency of anti missile technology. Luckily, for these the patriot seemed to be enough... Against the 1965 model year version... Unfortunately, with all electronic production send to china, you can bet that their actual inventory of surface to surface missile can reach their target, kill it dead and at the same time give you a whoop ass at Streetfighter 4 ultimate online edishiun megazord 78bit
The chinese are selling a bootleg version of the Russian S400 anti aircraft system. They also make improved copies of all Maz and Kamaz fast offroad trucks required for deployment and launch (TEL). I'm ready to bet they also have bootleg Iskander and Beregs coastal defense howitzer.
Plus even if obsolete, if you can field 10 SU-27 for 1 F22 and have the industrial capacity to build 10 more every week. Things will suck quickly.

Luckily for us... Domestic terrorism seems quite lively and unlike in kapitalist pigz countries, the current level of social inequality and corruption can seriously fuck them.

[Russell]

Long read, but very good article laying out the legitimate reasons for Japan's claim on the Senkaku islands (OK, it is the Japanese side of the story, but I find the arguments quite convincing).

Getting Senkaku History Right

East Asia this year has been marked by rising tensions over the Senkaku Islands (known in China as the Diaoyu Islands). As has been widely reported, China has dispatched government patrol and surveillance ships to intrude into Japan’s territorial waters off the islands, which lie in the East China Sea. Meanwhile, Beijing’s rhetoric has been more heated. In April, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson appeared to indicate that the Chinese government regarded the Senkaku Island issue as a core interest for China. This was the first government use of a term normally reserved for highly sensitive Chinese political concerns such as Taiwan, Tibet and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. And in recent days, China has made the very provocative decision to establish an air defense zone that encompasses the Senkaku skies.

With concerns rising that the situation could spiral out of control, it seems worth reviewing the facts regarding the sovereignty of the Senkaku and the options available for a sensible resolution to the issue.

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[Russell]

US Bombers Challenge China’s Air Defense Identification Zone

U.S. bombers challenged China’s recently established Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In a report citing U.S. defense officials, the WSJ said that American B-52 bombers flew over the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands on Monday without informing Beijing ahead of time. The report said that the bombers took off from Anderson Air Force Base in Guam and entered into China’s new ADIZ around 7 PM local time on Monday. They were not armed or accompanied by any escort planes.

More

[IparryU]

US Bombers Challenge China’s Air Defense Identification Zone

U.S. bombers challenged China’s recently established Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In a report citing U.S. defense officials, the WSJ said that American B-52 bombers flew over the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands on Monday without informing Beijing ahead of time. The report said that the bombers took off from Anderson Air Force Base in Guam and entered into China’s new ADIZ around 7 PM local time on Monday. They were not armed or accompanied by any escort planes.

More

Maybe the new zone is only for Japan?

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