Remind who has China invaded in the last 30 years? China is desperately pumping funds in to it's armed forces as it intends to replace Russia as the armoury of the 3rd world.
I'm beginning to wander if Fox news's planned coup has actually taken place.
As far as China goes, the only Western thing they really seem to be interested in is our trade and our money. I fail to see any reason or underlying ideology which would underpin them having anything other than regional aspirations in terms of land occupation or political expansionism. They pretty much don't want to engage with the rest of the world due to the inevitable influences on their culture. I don't see them trying in any way to impose their cultural/political values on the West, to be frank.
They do own something like 60% of America's debts. It would be interesting to see if they ever used those like some sort of finanacial WMD.
And the House of Saud owns the other 40%.
Quote: sootyj @ March 21 2010, 12:30 AM GMTRemind who has China invaded in the last 30 years?
Nice choice, since 31 years ago they invaded Vietnam.
If you're oblivious to China's ongoing campaign of belligerent rhetoric, industrial/military espionage and rapid military growth (much of it offensive in nature) then you must have your head stuck in the sand.
Quote: Tim Walker @ March 21 2010, 12:31 AM GMTI don't see them trying in any way to impose their cultural/political values on the West, to be frank.
They have scores to settle with many of their neighbors. Those neighbors are allies of the United States and Europe and any conflict will involve our nations whether we like it or not.
Quote: DaButt @ March 21 2010, 12:38 AM GMTNice choice, since 31 years ago they invaded Vietnam.
Well they must be f**king crazy, dangerous and deluded to have attempted that.
The interesting thing will be what happens when China's inevitable economic house of cards begins to crumble. We ain't seen nothin' yet.
Well as history has taught us, all empires - be they political, economic or cultural - fall at some point.
Quote: DaButt @ March 21 2010, 12:40 AM GMTNice choice, since 31 years ago they invaded Vietnam.
If you're oblivious to America's ongoing campaign of belligerent invading, extreme protectionism and rapid military growth (much of it offensive in nature) then you must have your head stuck in the sand.
They have scores to settle with many of their neighbors. Those neighbors are allies of the United States and Europe and any conflict will involve our nations whether we like it or not.
Crikey they're awful slow about it? Almost as if they were quite happy being the leader of ASEAN.
And mentioning China's abortive invasion of Vietnam that lasted a few months after the US's massive invasion, is erm eccentric.
Quote: Tim Walker @ March 21 2010, 12:49 AM GMTWell as history has taught us, all empires - be they political, economic or cultural - fall at some point.
Not the empire of the weebles.
They wobbled but they never fell down.
Quote: sootyj @ March 20 2010, 9:35 PM GMThttp://www.tribewanted.com/about#blog_1911
Looks fun.
Looks AWFUL! First, I can imagine few holidays worse than being surrounded by noisy Westerners from a regimental Internet community who think they're on the "adventure of a lifetime" in "a magical place" by spending a week or two doing chores and washing dishes on Fiji. And accommodation comprises "bunk houses with driftwood beds" and "a camping area".
Second, you pay tribewanted £200 in advance for each week you'd like to stay on their island. This advance payment is called 'membership'. The terms and conditions state "tribe members cannot cancel their membership once they have joined and there will be no refunds in any circumstances. If a tribe member decides not to take part in the online community or visit Vorovoro their membership is non-refundable".
There are many cheaper and more exciting holiday options on this planet - where you don't have to pay in advance, or if you do pay in advance and cancel, you can get a refund. Best of all, you don't have to live among a tribe of internet tourists who've been conned into shelling out £200 a week in the hope of overcoming the excruciating emptiness of their existence.
I was thinking you could eat them.
Quote: Kenneth @ March 21 2010, 1:58 AM GMTBest of all, you don't have to live among a tribe of internet tourists who've been conned into shelling out £200 a week in the hope of overcoming the excruciating emptiness of their existence.
Especially as BCG membership is free! 
Quote: sootyj @ March 20 2010, 10:06 PM GMTHunt them and eat them I say.
You'd be a long way from the forces of law and order.
All tribe members visiting Vorovoro will be subject to the law of the sovereign government of Fiji. The sovereignty of which is debatable, given the number of coups there, though Western tourists have nothing to fear unless they get involved in supporting opposition politicians.
Aren't the Fijians cannibals?
Quote: sootyj @ March 21 2010, 2:11 AM GMTAren't the Fijians cannibals?
Not for a while. It would likely require ethnic wars - or an invasion resulting in an oppressive occupation and food shortages - to prompt a popular return to cannibalism. Cannibalism is seen as pretty backward in that part of the world theseadays, but some Dayaks of Indonesian Borneo in 1997 reverted to ritual cannibalisation of Indonesian migrants who had been taking over their land and forests.