China launched its most extensive war games around Taiwan on Monday to showcase Beijing’s ability to cut off the island from outside support in a conflict, testing Taipei’s resolve to defend itself and its arsenal of U.S.-made weapons.

The Eastern Theatre Command said it had deployed troops, warships, fighter jets and artillery for its “Justice Mission 2025” exercises to encircle the democratically governed island, conduct live fire and simulated strikes on land and sea targets, and drills to blockade Taiwan’s main ports.

The live-firing exercises will continue on Tuesday across a record seven zones designated by China’s Maritime Safety Administration, making the drills the largest to date by total coverage and in areas closer to Taiwan than previous exercises. The military had initially said artillery firing would be confined to five zones.

    • Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz
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      1 day ago

      Lets say tomorrow, the US manages to occupy the entirety of mainland China, and schedules elections for next week. Who do you think the people of mainland China elect? A business-friendly lib who promises American companies will invest in resource extraction and privatization or reelect the guys who brought a billion people from poverty and regular famine to first world living standards within living memory?

          • bobzer@lemmy.zip
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            7 hours ago

            But since the 1950s what other country has had a famine on the same scale? The USSR?

            It was directly due to CCP mismanagement. It’s really not fair to credit them with ending famine when they caused the most deadly famine on earth.

      • Natanael@infosec.pub
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        1 day ago

        Elected by who? You’re definitely going to see very different opinions by different ethnicities

        • Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz
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          1 day ago

          Do you think they’d prefer getting fucked by capitalism like the former SSRs were in the 90s, or autonomy within China, like they have now?

          • ManixT@lemmy.world
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            1 day ago

            Former SSRs are doing much better now than when they were vassal states and resource producers for Moscow.

            • Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz
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              23 hours ago

              Have you been to any of those states and seen the rotting public infrastructure? Talked to anyone over 50?

              Am in the former Kazakhstan SSR rn.

              • ManixT@lemmy.world
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                23 hours ago

                I live in one and the infrastructure is great. Could use better train service, but it’s modern and nice.

                • Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz
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                  21 hours ago

                  Are there rusted tracks from a tram system that was defunded in 1992?

                  Like even here its faster than it was, with modern tram buses, but you can see the damage the 90s did everywhere

                  • ManixT@lemmy.world
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                    14 hours ago

                    No.

                    I live in Estonia. It does use 1520mm gauge rail, but it has been completely modernized. A new high-speed line based on the European gauge is in development, but it will be a while before that’s done.

            • Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz
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              1 day ago

              Authoritarian how? In that capitalists aren’t free to control the government?

              I’d agree China’s lack of free speech makes them more authoritarian, if I hadn’t watched cops kick the shit out of and/or arrest people protesting against genocide in the US and europe for the last 2 years.