America still holds the aces in its poker game over its challenger

siegecrossbow said:

It is true to a certain extent since Hollywood is still strong.

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But it can never be the same as before. Why else does Hollywood needs Chinese audience to go see their movies in order to make a profit while providing obstacles for Chinese films to be shown in the US?

Chinese are not worried. We know China will sooner or later replace United States as the most powerful nation on earth. It is an inevitability, a restoration to normality, a regression to the mean.

This is extremely interesting, but remember it was in 2008 when the US GDP was $15T and China was $4.6T and JApan was higher than China ($5T) ... while now in 2017 the figure is US $19.4T, China $11.8T and Japan $ 4.8T
Geopolitical Game Mahjong, Beijing 2008


Beijing 2008, a painting by Liu Yi
Posted on June 27, 2013 by xybor
Here is a painting by Chinese-born now Canadian artist Liu Yi. It is an exceptionally beautiful and provocative piece. The imagery will no doubt confront some viewers. However, I am posting it because of the intriguing geo-political insights embedded in the piece, which really deserve close consideration.

I can’t take credit for the following synopsis, and I don’t know where it originally came from … perhaps the artist himself. If I find out, I will amend this post. There is clearly much subtle detail that requires some guidance to discern. Within the context of global affairs, the painting conveys deep insights.

The work, titled “Beijing 2008”, depicts four young women playing Mahjong.

The woman with the tattoos on her back is China. On her left, focused intensely on the game, is Japan. Across from China, the one with the shirt and head cocked to the side is America. Lying on the floor is Russia. And the girl standing on the right is Taiwan.

Of China’s visible set of tiles “East Wind” has a dual meaning. Firstly, it signifies China’s revival as a world power. Secondly, it signifies the military might and weaponry that China possesses has already been placed on the table. On one hand, China appears to be in a good position, though we cannot see the rest of her tiles. Additionally, she is also handling some hidden tiles below the table, behind her foot.

Russia appears to be disinterested in the game, but this is far from the truth. One foot hooks coyly at America, while her hand passes a hidden tile to China. Both countries can be said to be exchanging benefits in secret. Japan is concentrating on her tiles, oblivious to the actions of the others in her focused (self-absorbed?) state.

Taiwan wears a traditional red slip, symbolizing that she is the true heir of Chinese culture and civilization. In one hand, she has a bowl of fruit, and in the other, a paring knife. Her expression as she stares at China contains anger, sadness, and hatred. And perhaps frustration that she cannot play the game. No matter who ends up the victor, she is consigned to serving fruit.

Outside, the riverbank is darkened by storm clouds, suggesting the tension between the nations is dangerously explosive. The painting hanging on the wall depicts Mao’s face, but with Chiang Kai Shek’s bald head, and Sun Yat-Sen’s mustache.

The four women’s state of undress represent the geo-political situation in each country relative to the others. China is naked on top, clothed with a skirt and underwear on the bottom. America wears a bra and a light jacket, but is naked on the bottom. Russia has only her underwear. Japan is naked.

At first glance, America appears to be well composed and seems to be a good position, as all the others are in various states of nakedness. However, while America may look radiant, her vulnerability has already been exposed. China and Russia may look naked, yet their key private parts remain hidden.

Assuming the play of the game requires that the loser of each hand removes pieces of clothing, if China loses, she will be in the same state as Russia (similar to when the USSR dissolved). If America loses, she will also be in the same state as Russia.

If Russia loses, she loses all that is left. Russia acts to be disinterested and unengaged, but in passing tiles to China, is establishing a secret alliance. Japan has already lost everything, and will be out of the game if she loses again.

America may look well-positioned, but is in much danger. If she loses this round, she will give up her position as THE world power. Russia is playing both sides, much like when China was de-occupied, she leaned towards the USSR and then towards America; as she did not have the ability to survive on her own, she had to weave between both sides in order to survive and develop.

There are too many of China’s tiles that we cannot see. Perhaps suggesting that China has several hidden aces.

America appears confident, and is glancing at Taiwan, perhaps trying to read something in Taiwan’s face. Perhaps what she sees going on between Russia and China.

Taiwan stares coldly at the game, longing to participate but constrained only to observe. She sees everything that the players are doing, and understands the shifting alliances. But she doesn’t have the means or permission to join the game, she isn’t even given the right to speak. Even if she has a dearth of complaints, she cannot voice it to anyone, all she can do is to be a good page girl, and bring fresh fruit to the victor.

The positions of power are with China and America. But, while America appears dominant, they are, after all, playing Chinese Mahjong, not Western Poker. In the end, playing by the rules of China’s game, how much chance at victory does America really have?

After reading on the Enigma Chronicle's exposition on that painting, I tried to search for the higher resolution picture of that painting, first in Google with no avail, then in Baidu, ended up with this interesting link, seems to be some kind of interpretation.

The metaphor of the two paintings by Liu Yi's "Beijing 2008" and "Women Rubbing Mahjong"
刘溢的《2008-北京》与《搓麻将的女人》两幅油画之暗喻

Posted on 2016-08-21

So, the Liu Yi's original painting, "Beijing 2008" interestingly had its continuation with this painting "Women Rubbing Mahjong".

My Chinese language is terrible, but from the title and the subsequent many interpretational pictures I can guess this is another exposition on those two pictures.

Well, if any member here who's fluent in reading Chinese is willing give a hand

Anyhow they are fascinating "geopolitical" paintings, the rarely seen sort.

chomulangma said:

After reading on the Enigma Chronicle's exposition on that painting, I tried to search for the higher resolution picture of that painting, first in Google with no avail, then in Baidu, ended up with this interesting link, seems to be some kind of interpretation.

The metaphor of the two paintings by Liu Yi's "Beijing 2008" and "Women Rubbing Mahjong"
刘溢的《2008-北京》与《搓麻将的女人》两幅油画之暗喻

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Posted on 2016-08-21

So, the Liu Yi's original painting, "Beijing 2008" interestingly had its continuation with this painting "Women Rubbing Mahjong".

My Chinese language is terrible, but from the title and the subsequent many interpretational pictures I can guess this is another exposition on those two pictures.

Well, if any member here who's fluent in reading Chinese is willing give a hand

Anyhow they are fascinating "geopolitical" paintings, the rarely seen sort.

Click to expand...

Excellent finding, thanks for a much higher resolution image, would be great if someone kind enough to translate it for us

AndrewS said:

Article in the London financial times by Joseph Nye, the "inventor" of "soft power"



However, I see a number of analytical errors, as it is trying to look ahead 7 years, past President Trump.

On soft power, it ignores how the China is leading Asian economic integration with RCEP. Plus we can already see that south east Asia places more importance on relations with China than the USA, as per the think tank surveys and books. And recently we saw how Vietnam gave up outright in the face of Chinese demands.

On a US-China trade war, the actual figures from the RAND report on a blockade were a 5-10% decline for US GDP, along with 25-35% decline for China.

But if we rerun the methodology as of October 2017, the US remains the same, whilst China drops to 20%-30%. And in another 2-3 years, it should drop to 15%-25%.

And by the end of President Trump's second term in 7 years time? I expect both China and the US would see a similar decline in GDP (5-15%) if they got into a conflict. And it is likely that China will have a larger economy than the US no matter how it is measured.

And the role of the US dollar? It will probably still be a global reserve currency, but it will be interesting to see what China does with the RMB if the Chinese economy is larger.

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Jura said:

says
Subscribe to read: Financial Times
America still holds the aces in its poker game with China

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ANALYSIS & OPINIONS - Financial Times

America Still Holds the Aces in its Poker Game with China By Joseph S. Nye (the 'inventor' of "soft power")
Author: Joseph Samuel Nye | Nov. 02, 2017

The US has advantages over its challenger that will outlive the present administration

After the Chinese Communist party's celebratory 19th congress, which ended last week, some observers proclaimed Xi Jinping a new emperor. Mr Xi, for his part, called China a "great and strong" power and touted his Belt and Road infrastructure initiative to promote Chinese economic and political power around the world....

According to this Harvard professor, Joseph Samuel Nye (born 1937), the USA still holds FOUR ACES that are likely to outlast the Trump administration:

(1) GEOGRAPHY. The USA is surrounded by oceans and neighbours that are likely to remain friendly, despite Donald Trump's mistaken policy of undercutting the NAFTA...

(2) ENERGY. The Shale Revolution has transformed it from an energy importer to exporter...

(3) TRADE. High levels of economic interdependence encourage prudence in the US's relationship of "mutual assured economic destruction" with China...

(4) US DOLLAR. [Though not stated explicitly by the author, due to petro-dollar status thus keeps its World Reserve Currency status] Of the foreign reserves held by the world's governments, just 1.1% are in renminbi (yuan), vs 64% for the dollar...


The full article can be read at:



It's up to every one to make up his thought upon reading this article by the well-known Harvard professor... I just had a big smile upon actually got the chance to read the article

what many say as the weakness of an isolated geography from the Eurasia (Europe - Asia continents) is taken as a strong point; and the money-losing as well as short-lived shale explorations bankrolled by banks as another strong point, while in the term of trade one just pays close attention on what a nation actually sells (exports) and buys (imports), and as mentioned the USD keeps its WRC status in the absence of the gold backup (since the collapse of the Bretton Woods in 1971) solely due to its petro-dollar status preserved by the strong arm tactics (11 CSG to secure that status, and for any oil producer to think differently, just look at the fates of Saddam Hussein with his petro-euro and Muammar Gaddafi with his Gold Dinar for Libya).

Well, think we all will live through at least that many years to witness the actual world, so just allow time to divulge itself...

I have been living long enough to see through the "impossibilities" faced by China like those in the late 1970s or early 1980s and moving forward to these days...

Point and counterpoint. Hope wiser and cooler heads prevail.

Jura said:

OK since I read it I post US National Defense Strategy focused on Russia, China, and ‘great power competition’

... the rest is behind paywall at Jane's:

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Which country is the real threat to world stability, it's not China
SourceChina DailyEditorHuang PanyueTime2018-02-02

The State of the Union address delivered by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday and the National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy unveiled by his administration in the past month have all painted China as a rival or threat.

But few have bothered to reverse the question and ask, "Is the United States a threat to China?"

The answer to that is a resounding "Yes!"

When I raised such a question last week at a discussion on ChinaFile, an online publication run by the New York-based Asia Society, I did not expect Rebecca Karl, a historian and China scholar, to respond by saying the US has not only been a threat to China, but also the whole world, for decades.

She explained why: It is true that China is a threat to the US, but only in the sense that fast-rising China has made it increasingly impossible for the US to threaten China, whether economically, militarily, or diplomatically. And that will be more so in the coming decades if China continues its ascent.

That is indeed a challenge and threat to the US which has become accustomed to living in and policing its unipolar world.

The kinds of threats posed by China to the US as described by US politicians, pundits and news media are many and often paranoid. They cover everything from China's growing economic and military might to the development of manmade islands in the South China Sea, from Chinese investment in Africa, Latin America and the US, to the Confucius Institutes, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Belt and Road Initiative, and even Chinese news media operating in the US and globally and the 300,000 Chinese students studying in US colleges and universities.

Sooner or later, Chinese restaurants, estimated at more than 40,000 across the US, might be deemed a national security threat because their dishes are too oily and might contain monosodium glutamate as a flavor enhancer.

But if China does pose a threat to the US in these areas, then the US poses a much greater threat to China. It's not just that American fast food chains serve far more oily food and Americans' favorite snack－chips－contains too much MSG, the more than 800 US military bases in the world, including many surrounding China, pose a much greater threat to China and other countries. US military spending is more than that of the next 10 countries combined and still expanding.

The powerful US military-industrial complex, whose influence former US president Dwight Eisenhower warned against in his farewell speech in January 1961, has been behind this hyping up of supposed threats from China and Russia, because the defense companies will be the primary beneficiary if Trump's request for $716 billion for the Pentagon in 2019 is approved. This is a significant increase on previous years.

People should be reminded that China has never done anything nearly as threatening to world peace and stability as the US invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan and forcing regime change in Libya, not to mention the reckless US drone attacks in sovereign nations that have killed many civilians. And China has never been nearly as disruptive as the US has been in just this past year when Trump withdrew the US from the Paris climate accord and from UNESCO, cut funding to the United Nations and recognized Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.

It's quite clear which country poses the bigger threat to the world and is a bigger disrupter of global stability.

The author is deputy editor of China Daily USA.

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antiterror13 said:

Excellent finding, thanks for a much higher resolution image, would be great if someone kind enough to translate it for us

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I found another interpretations of the painting

now I read
China firmly opposes U.S. Nuclear Posture Review: spokesman
Xinhua| 2018-02-04 13:34:25

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China firmly opposes the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) published by the

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Department of Defense, a spokesman from China's National Defense Ministry said Sunday.

The U.S. document presumptuously speculated about the intentions behind China's development and played up the threat of China's nuclear strength, spokesman Ren Guoqiang said.

The 74-page report cast China as "a major challenge to U.S. interests in Asia," saying the U.S. strategy for China is designed to "prevent Beijing from mistakenly concluding that it could secure an advantage through the limited use of its theater nuclear capabilities or that any use of nuclear weapons, however limited, is acceptable."

Ren reaffirmed that China will resolutely stick to peaceful development and pursue a national defense policy that is defensive in nature.

China has adhered to the policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances. Under no circumstances will China use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones, he said.

China has always exercised the utmost restraint in the development of nuclear weapons and limited its nuclear capabilities to the minimum level required for national security, he added.

The United States, which possesses the world's largest nuclear weapons arsenal, should conform to the irreversible world trend of peace and development rather than run in the opposite direction, Ren said.

"We hope the U.S. side will discard its 'cold-war mentality,' shoulder its own special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament, understand correctly China's strategic intentions and take a fair view on China's national defense and military development," he said.

He urged the U.S. side to meet China halfway to make military relations between the two sides a stable factor in bilateral relations, and jointly safeguard global peace, stability and prosperity.

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now I read
Commentary: Washington's reverse on nuclear strategy harms security interests of all
Xinhua| 2018-02-05 22:36:28

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In the recently published 2018 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), the United States lays bare its intention to further enhance what is already the world's most powerful nuclear deterrent.

In an about-face from the 2010 NPR, which vowed to reduce the role and number of nuclear weapons, the new document seeks to modernize the country's nuclear arsenal and develop new low-yield atomic weapons.

It claims that the strategy is aimed at protecting U.S. national security. But more likely, it will not work to this effect. More worryingly, it might give rise to similar ambitions worldwide.

Washington remains the world's top nuclear power with no possible parallel on the surface of the Earth. Yet the Pentagon still attempts to hype up external nuclear threats against the country in a bid to justify its pursuit of a more powerful nuclear stockpile. The argument laid out in the NPR is far from being convincing.

It is also rather fallacious as Washington claims it tries to reduce so-called nuclear risks by upgrading its nuclear weaponry.

If a nuclear power as strong as the United States still feels like wanting a bigger gun, would that mean other countries have even greater justification to do the same?

The truth is that Washington's intention to expand its nuclear strike capability and broaden the use of nuclear weapons will only make other countries feel more threatened. Some of them are very likely to follow suit.

As a result, the world's nuclear non-proliferation regime is going to face more major challenges, and the possibility of a global nuclear arms race would increase.

Meanwhile, the NPR is a flagrant display of Cold War mentality. In the review, Washington tags Moscow and Beijing as main factors that have posed "challenges" to Washington and contribute to "a more diverse and advanced nuclear-threat environment."

Such accusations are groundless. China has adhered to the policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons under all circumstances. It has also pledged not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones.

China has always exercised the utmost restraint in the development of nuclear weapons and limited its nuclear capabilities to the minimum level required for national security.

By ringing a false nuclear alarm in the review, Washington is merely trying to find excuses to seek absolute nuclear supremacy.

Yet the Trump administration needs to understand that, instead of making itself safer, more nuclear weapons would only bring to it more security risks.

For decades, major countries have endeavored to reduce global nuclear stockpiles in hopes of forestalling a human catastrophe.

It is vital that, rather than undercut the efforts, Washington should stop backtracking on its nuclear policy, follow the trend of the times, and work with the rest of the international community to truly reduce the nuclear threat facing the humankind.

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