@Benkei https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59473071

"Multi-billion EU bid to challenge Chinese influence

The EU is to reveal details of a global investment plan that's widely seen as a rival to China's Belt and Road initiative."

Hmmm... Not sure yet how I feel about that but definitely interesting news. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

I've little wish to defend China's record on human rights, and it is clear that the whole culture takes a very different attitude to individuality from the western tradition. But if you compare China's strategy abroad with either the US or God help us, the British Empire, then it looks highly benign, superficially. I'm not seeing many bombs, drones, troops, tanks, gunboats, at least. I'm not noticing many governments being subverted, peoples being enslaved and transported, revolutions being fomented, coups being subsidised. You know - the routine of government diplomacy.

If you already have 1.4 billion people to exploit, you don't really have to look beyond your borders I guess.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2019/09/hong-kong-arbitrary-arrests-brutal-beatings-and-torture-in-police-detention-revealed/

The CCP invaded Hong Kong discreetly. They'd be just as violent and malicious on a grander scale given the chance; proven bogeymen.

The CCP invaded Hong Kong discreetly. They'd be just as violent and malicious on a grander scale given the chance; proven bogeymen. — The Opposite

You know Hong Kong was invaded and occupied by the British during the opium war, right? And held under a forced "lease" for 100 years. The Chinese had the temerity not to want us to flood China with opium in exchange for their tea and porcelain. Like I said, I'm not defending their record, but comparing it with the Western powers record. But I agree, they'd probably be just as violent and malicious as we are, given the chance.

:up: