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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    24 hours 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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      20 hours 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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        18 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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          18 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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            16 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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              8 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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        22 hours 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.