Former CIA Officer Alexander Yuk Ching Ma was arrested by federal authorities on August 14 and charged with “conspiracy to communicate national defense information to aid a foreign government,” according to a Monday release from the US Department of Justice. Authorities say the two relatives met with Chinese officials over the course of three days in 2001 and provided them with information on CIA “personnel, operations, and methods of concealing communications.” The release alleges that part of one engagement was recorded, showing Ma accepting and counting $50,000 in cash. Ma, who was born in Hong Kong and became a naturalized US citizen, began his career with the civilian foreign intelligence service in 1982 and maintained a Top Secret clearance until he left the service in 1989.
Looks like there will be an exchange for Ma and the US agents (Jimmy Lai? or someone not as significant) caught in Hong Kong.
China has revealed a type of domestically developed airborne munitions dispenser, a hybrid weapon that lies between an air-to-ground missile and a guided bomb droppable by an aircraft from a safe distance, that can release hundreds of submunitions that cover a large area.
Formally classified as a guided glide dispenser bomb, this highly accurate, modularized weapon weighs 500 kilograms. While it looks like a missile, it has a square cross-section to hold more submunitions. This design can also reduce the weapon’s radar cross-section, enhancing the weapon’s stealth capability, making it more difficult to intercept.
When dropped, the dispenser can open its wings, which can provide extra lift force and controllability and allow it to have a range of more than 60 kilometers, this means the aircraft carrying it can safely drop the weapon without entering the enemy’s air defense zone.
Each dispenser can carry six types of 240 submunitions, which when released will cover more than 6,000 square meters.
When attacking groups of tanks and armored vehicles, the dispenser can use anti-tank submunitions that can penetrate tanks’ armor from the top, or it can equip regional lockdown submunitions when attacking large facilities like airfields.
A typical munitions dispenser like this can disable an airfield for an extended period with only one shot, because the sheer number of submunitions means the whole runway will be destroyed. It is also possible that some of the submunitions will be mines, which will make attempts to repair the runway very risky.
This will provide crucial battle opportunities, because it means the enemy would not be able to make any warplane sorties, and the user of the dispenser can seize air superiority and gain tactical and even strategic advantages.
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will implement 13 intercity railway projects with a total mileage of about 775 kilometers, as well as five integrated transport hub projects, with a planned total investment of 474.1 billion yuan. The newly approved railway construction plan will build a multi-level railway network with high-speed railways, general-speed railways and suburban railways in the Greater Bay Area, to form a transportation circle with one-hour access between major cities in the Greater Bay Area, two-hour access between major cities and inland cities in Guangdong Province, and three-hour access between major cities and neighboring provincial capitals, thus creating a “Greater Bay Area on a track”.
During the welcoming ceremony, Qi Yu齐玉, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced on behalf of the Ministry’s Party Committee the awarding of the Collective Third Class Merit to the Consulate General in Houston.
It is relatively rare for diplomats to be awarded collective third-class honors. But this is full recognition for these diplomats. At the airport, Wang Yi王毅 had this high praise: (All the comrades of the Consulate General) under extremely difficult and even dangerous circumstances, they resolutely safeguarded the core interests of the country, the dignity of the country and the nation, and the legitimate rights and interests of China’s foreign missions….
Note the phrase: under extremely difficult, even dangerous circumstances! The environment may be more treacherous than many of us can imagine.
At the airport, Wang Yi made three main remarks.
The first paragraph was a high evaluation of the performance of the diplomats, and the second paragraph exposed the sinister intentions of the United States.
What exactly does the United States want?
Wang Yi’s answer is this: this controversy at the Consulate General in Houston shows that anti-China forces in the United States are doing everything possible to undermine China-U.S. relations and to obstruct China’s development.
What will happen as a result?
Wang Yi spoke of “three convictions”.
We are convinced that the predominant view in both countries remains one of dialogue, not confrontation.
We are convinced that Sino-American relations will be reborn after the storms.
We firmly believe that China’s destiny is in the hands of the Chinese people, and under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, no one and no force can stop us from marching towards national rejuvenation.
We will be reborn after the storms, so don’t be pessimistic, as the dark clouds will dissipate.
The bigger point is the third paragraph: Facing up to difficulties and expressing confidence in victory.
Confidence: we will be able to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and achieve victory one after another.
But the difficulties are also realistic.
Wang Yi’s exact words are: in the face of unprecedented changes in the past century and the new challenges of global epidemics, all comrades on the diplomatic front must be prepared to face greater risks and endure more tests.
”Two more”.
The need to be prepared for greater risks.
Prepare to be tested more than ever!
Some people have flipped their hand and have even gone beyond just leveling the playing field.
It is fair to say that this is a rather sobering realization.
Diplomacy is a continuation of domestic affairs. The United States is now entering the most sensitive period, and since some people are unscrupulous and preoccupied, they will not stop so easily and will not rule out the possibility of creating even worse incidents in the coming period.
Chinese PLA troops arrived in Russia on Fri for the International Military and Technical Forum Army 2020, scheduled to start from Aug 23. The Russian side held a short welcome ceremony for the troops. The Chinese side’s Type 96B Tank was also transported to competition venues. More than 5,000 participants from 156 teams from over 30 countries and regions will compete in the games. Over 260 contestants from six Chinese teams will participate in six competitions, including tank biathlon.
The Army-2020 International Military Technical Forum scheduled from Aug. 23 to 29 will attract more than 1,500 enterprises from over 70 countries and regions.
The operation unfolded quickly, beginning on the evening of 18 January, two days before the scheduled—and still in-doubt—U.S. presidential inauguration. A message was transmitted to Taiwan’s leaders that they had the option of immediate peaceful capitulation or armed coercion, and that in the case of the former there would be no recriminations. Simultaneously, a series of closely coordinated Chinese military moves unfolded that were intended to put a stranglehold on Taiwan and deter any other nation from interfering. All over Taiwan, Chinese intelligence operatives and special forces not in uniform–China’s own “little green men”—emerged to take control of key facilities and sabotage military facilities. A host of cyberattacks crippled Taiwan’s public media and took down key elements of the power grid. The attack on Taiwan was underway. Chinese forces previously engaged in the exercise swiftly turned their attention across the Strait, and, after tough resistance on the ground, seized several islands claimed by Taiwan, including Quemoy, Matsu, and the Penghus. Peoples Liberation Army Navy submarines deployed to close the northern and southern entrances to the Taiwan Strait, and also deployed east of Taiwan to prepare for potential action against U.S. Navy ships. Any Taiwan Navy surface ships underway were engaged quickly and sunk. Chinese media highlighted the presence of thousands of ballistic and cruise missiles in launching positions capable of targeting key facilities on Taiwan. An immediate sea and air blockade of the island was announced, pending Taipei’s decision on Beijing’s ultimatum. At the same time, the PLAN’s amphibious forces—including an enormous number of fishing vessels quickly pressed into service—got underway in preparation for landing Chinese ground forces on the island’s west coast, and air defense ships extended their umbrella over the island’s airspace. Again, both were highlighted to the leaders in Taiwan. Meanwhile, China’s “Wolf Warrior Diplomats” commenced an engagement blitz to offer carrots and sticks to governments across the globe to support, or at least not resist, this important and long-needed move by China. Particular care was taken with Japan to ensure it was clear to the government of Shinzō Abe that any support provided to a U.S. response would be considered hostile action against China. A legion of Chinese information warriors executed a pre-planned global campaign, using all forms of media, with messages carefully tailored for individual audiences. For Western audiences, the messages ranged from overt condemnations of Taiwan’s government to covert insertions of “Why does this crisis matter to Americans?” into social media. For East Asian audiences, the messages included “The United States is powerless to intervene; we mean no harm to any regional nation that stays out of this; and your future depends on China’s benevolent leadership.” For the rest of the world, the message was: “Don’t join in any international rebuke of China or suffer the consequences of reduced Chinese trade and investment.” Chinese media flooded international outlets with reminders of the PLA’s ability to target ships and airfields using ballistic missiles, as well as veiled warnings that China could target the U.S. west coast with conventional weapons.
In Washington, Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai summoned the head of the State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs to the embassy on the morning of 19 January, delivering an explicit warning to the United States not to intervene, noting that China would take all necessary measures to prevent such interference. Similar warnings were delivered to Australia, Japan, South Korea, and other close U.S. allies. A sudden, mysterious power outage in Indianapolis that afternoon was loosely attributed to a Chinese cyberattack, which seemed carefully calibrated not to provoke the United States, but to suggest “We can do more.”
With few options of their own, Taipei looked to Washington.
While stock markets across the globe crashed on 19 January, confusion reigned in Washington and other capitals as the crisis unfolded. The United States called for an immediate U.N. Security Council meeting but was stiff-armed by China and Russia. A host of capitals made tough statements about unlawful Chinese aggression, but it quickly became apparent that international leaders were waiting for the U.S. response on the one hand and were concerned about the vulnerability of their economies to Chinese threats on the other. The Congressional Taiwan Caucus—the second-largest caucus in Congress—angrily condemned the move and called for an immediate U.S. response but fell short of providing specifics. In Washington, on the afternoon of 19 January, just as the U.S. Supreme Court finally resolved the electoral crisis, the National Security Council Principals Committee hastily convened a meeting to consider the situation. Called upon to provide military options for the President’s consideration, the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs stated that the U.S. Seventh Fleet was recalling its personnel, getting ships underway as soon as possible, and awaiting further instructions. U.S. Pacific Air Force assets in the region would begin moving to dispersal fields within 24 hours. The committee was deeply divided. Some demanded immediate action, pointing to the U.S. commitment to defend Taiwan from an unprovoked attack, the risk to the U.S. reputation as a reliable ally, and the sea change that a failure to act could cause in the perception of the United States as a major power and guarantor of peace. Others pointed to the speed of the Chinese campaign compared to U.S. force movements, suggesting that, in the face of such a fait accompli, a U.S. response would be a costly effort to take Taiwan back rather than defend it. The Secretary of Defense stated that doing so would involve high risk and require full mobilization for war—taking the air from the room. Several angry cabinet members began asking why so much had been invested in countering China militarily when it appeared little could be done to stop the loss of Taiwan. The meeting broke up after two hours of acrimonious debate with no resolution other than to make a strong statement condemning Chinese actions and expressing support for Taiwan. As people got up to leave the White House Situation Room, the National Security Advisor said, “This is not about whether we stand behind Taiwan—we do—but it looks like we may have been outmaneuvered. I don’t like it, but this is going to have to wait until after the inauguration tomorrow.” By then it was already too late. On the morning of 20 January in Taiwan—still late in the evening of the 19th in the States—Taiwan’s government realized that, while the Taiwanese Armed Forces remained capable of putting up stiff resistance for a limited time, U.S. forces would require too much time to be brought to bear. In mid-morning, realizing Taiwan was on the brink of a bloodbath, Tsai Ing-wen reluctantly capitulated to Xi’s demands, expressing hope that the people of Taiwan would be able to retain at least some measure of freedom. That evening in Beijing, three hours before the Chief Justice delivered the oath of office on the steps of the Capitol, Xi Jinping triumphantly addressed the Chinese people, declaring that the most important step in the “Chinese Dream,” which he had been championing as his future legacy since 2013, had now come true. He welcomed the people of Taiwan “home” and promised local elections down the road. Tsai’s government was replaced the next day by a group led by a Taiwan politician who had long called for reunification with the mainland.
When the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs walked into the regularly scheduled “Tank” session on 21 January, he sat down heavily in his chair and said “I have three questions: What just happened? What do we do now? And what the hell should we have been doing differently?” He was answered by silence, until one of the Chiefs quietly muttered, “Strategic ambiguity failed, and we fell prey to a lack of imagination.”
At the same time, another meeting was taking place in the office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The country’s senior most intelligence officer, the DNI asked his team “How did we not see this coming? How did we not warn of this?” After a few moments, the CIA Director said, “Twenty-years of focusing on counterterrorism and counterinsurgency, rather than our peer competitors, has come home to roost. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
In the end, the conflict for which the United States, and in particular the American military, prepared for so long and for which it provided billions of dollars in military hardware to Taiwan, had been lost before it started.
My take: It will not happen this way, the timing. But the outcome is same.
1-21-21 Nothing happened, but US has all the attack groups are on alert.
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis on Thursday refused to take sides against China and also would not rule out working with Chinese telecom company Huawei despite a push by visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
“We are a sovereign country, we treat these countries quite standardly like everyone else,” Babis told Mlada fronta Dnes, one of the country’s largest newspapers, after Pompeo used his visit to take swipes at both Russia and China.
Speaking to the Czech Senate on Wednesday, Pompeo called on European countries to rally against the Communist Party of China, which he accused of leveraging economic might to exert its influence around the world.