And that is just the more moderated part of their propaganda.
The more absurd lies are still excreted on a regular basis, like this one:
https://redsails.org/the-xinjiang-atrocity-propaganda-blitz/

Posted by: Roland | Jan 17 2025 11:55 utc | 3

“The Western media uniform anti-China blitz gathers steam – but at what cost?”
Reminds me of when MSM pulled the same stunt on Jeremy Corbyn, turning a lifelong anti-racist social democrat peace campaigner into an antisemitic Putin commie overnight. The useful thing is that thanks to B we can now make a definitive list of all the pipes in the Mighty Wurlitzer, from Contra-Trombone to Picolo.

Posted by: Jorge | Jan 17 2025 12:14 utc | 5

Here is a link to H I Sutton being particularly shrill about China’s new invasion barges.
China’s Invasion Barges, Leading Indicator Of Plans For Taiwan ==> https://youtu.be/Klkpk_hO4FQ
Screee!!!
Posted by: too scents | Jan 17 2025 12:15 utc | 6
A video? Not something I usually watch.
But is it about true military barges or the brilliant play of putting out tons of dual usage front loading ships?
That one was so nice…

Posted by: Newbie | Jan 17 2025 12:31 utc | 7

Good timing, this is an exceptional 30min analysis of the USA-China geo-strategic, super-imperial, hybrid great game, and stakes, pretty much covers all of super-imperialism and it’s modern implementation vis-vis the hapless EU vassal states too. Most here know most of it but still offers many clarities and insights:
Hong Kong Professor exposes hidden reasons behind America’s Forever War
If anyone wants a good briefing on Tik-Tok/Rednote happenings Carl Zha is the man. It’s important, the unravelling of the narrative seems unstoppable, it’s not your father’s cold war newsprint and TV mind control anymore, in the digital era, at least for now, it’s wack-a-mole for the Mighty Wurlitzer, the organ grinder went out for a piss and the monkey is hitting one discordant note after another. We have the Chinese to thank for that, 20ys ago who’d have ever imagined, certainly not the Chinese.
American TikTok Refugees Joining Chinese Social Media App REDnote
Chinese App RedNote Radicalizing American TikTok Refugees
American TikTok Refugees and Chinese compares Grocery/Medical Bills on RedNot

Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jan 17 2025 12:45 utc | 9

Only Words Remain.
The sticks and stones are useless
The multipolar leaders have them too along with the supposed backward shovels, washing machines, berries and nuts 🌰.
They also have … nukes, space satellites, hypersonics, 6th Gen and millions of stem geniuses inventing more and faster … much faster than the IP can be bought up and shelved by the behemoths of Global Robber Barons.
That’s why Yellen and all the other callgirls were sent to beg for a slow down – because all these payents that have been sat on at a massive expense to the environment – suddenly become worthless as they are leapfrogged by science, technology and Industry.
At very liitle marginal cost.
The only thing they can do is to pull the whole world down – the Samson option – if we let them.

Posted by: DunGroanin | Jan 17 2025 12:57 utc | 11

I read or saw somewhere that all of China’s civilian car ferries, and there are hundreds if not thousands, have been designed to handle military equipment if needed. The PLA has been preparing for a struggle over Taiwan and a lot of other islands for near a century so I don’t see why that wouldn’t be true.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jan 17 2025 12:51 utc | 10
That’s what I called front loading dual usage merchant fleet. Yes, china mandated that civilian model as a way to eliminate a critical gap on displacement capacity across the strait.

Posted by: Newbie | Jan 17 2025 13:04 utc | 13

Ha ha ha! Good timing, b. Tonight’s abc.net.au TV News Finance/biz segment included a report that China, having resolved to restore its 2024 GDP to pre-Covid levels of circa 5%+, managed to scrape in at 5.2%.
That seemed like success to me but there was an insinuation that China.gov has concealed the unseen costs of such success.
Considering the dangerous and worsening state of Oz’s economy, thanks to the feckless Reserve Bank of Oz and rampant Greedy Landlordism here, my first reaction was “Uh oh! Penis Envy, much?”

Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Jan 17 2025 13:36 utc | 15

This endless list of memes made my day – But at what cost ?

Posted by: neutrino | Jan 17 2025 13:46 utc | 17

Sounds like Trump talk. Anyone of any serious intellectual earnestness dismissive this nonsense. It’s why serious people can’t take Trump the fluffer seriously. He’s intellectually lazy and let’s his thinking be clouded by his derision

Posted by: Scottindallas | Jan 17 2025 13:55 utc | 19

There must be (1) a central place where all of these narratives are created and (2) a network for distribution to editors in LatAm, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Jan 17 2025 14:10 utc | 21

Posted by: neutrino | Jan 17 2025 13:46 utc | 17
🙂

Posted by: Linda | Jan 17 2025 14:16 utc | 23

– Yep, the US propaganda machine is still in full swing. But China also has a staggering Debt-to-GDP ratio (No, I am NOT a paid US troll).

Posted by: WMG | Jan 17 2025 14:19 utc | 25

Waking up to the Big Lie
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sSkAbDbvVOY

Posted by: Surferket | Jan 17 2025 14:21 utc | 27

To tell you the truth, I am sick and tired of the collective waste’s smear, slander and libel campaign against the People’s Republic of China. A united nation that has prospered so much in such a short time span becoming the envy of the world today. Go China, stay your course and follow your destiny.

Posted by: pepe | Jan 17 2025 14:29 utc | 29

“All such schemes are signs that The Mighty Wurlitzer is still well and alive.”
… not for folks who never read their trash, say like not reading Murdoch for half a century & not missing a thing

Posted by: sadness | Jan 17 2025 14:37 utc | 31

Speaking of unintended consequences and (absence of) 2nd level projections.
The us’s efforts to cutting off of RF’s role as a major weapons provider has led to a much leaner meaner chinese weapons industry to rise, allowing even bigger production lines and diffused development costs.
A couple of days/weeks ago I mentioned china going forward with local production in algeria of some nice naval vessels, we all remember how serbia now has chinese AD, there are tons of chinese fighters being sold to dozens of countries, let’s take a look at the latest.
Bangladesh Considering Procurement of Chinese JF-17 Block III Fighters: High-Low Pairing with J-10C Planned?
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/bangladesh-considering-procurement-of-chinese-jf-17-block-iii-fighters-high-low-pairing-with-j-10c-planned

Posted by: Newbie | Jan 17 2025 14:55 utc | 33

I returned to Canada in 2020 having lived in China for 10 years. What struck me was the level of hatred everywhere in Canada. Covid was in full swing and the hate comments this engendered were amazing. Granny Killers was one of my favorites. A few years ago, I read about a German journalist on Paul Craig Roberts’s site. Here it is: “German journalist reveals in bestseller that Western Media is paid by the CIA to print propaganda instead of the news. There is nothing new about this except the extent. Always there have been media, reporters, and columnists who published false information in order to help the CIA advance undeclared agendas. The difference is that today the CIA’s influence is pervasive. Objective reporting is a thing of the past.”
I worked in ‘Communications’ my entire adult life but even I could not appreciate the degree of mind programming we all live under. By the way, the most effective propaganda tool is television. It’s what most people watch most of the time and it changed the world. Note how we are presented with what to think, what to do, what a ‘good person’ believes, does, votes for, in very well-made productions with famous actors whose ‘progressive views’ become our role models. Even the news shows are packaged propaganda. Maybe Internet and Social Media videos will take up the slack as TV viewing fades but the propaganda will never die. Are you aware that the Department of Defence (DOD) gives final script approval to Hollywood movies? If it involves any military equipment or plot, the Pentagon has final script approval. We live in a world engulfed in propaganda. It’s everywhere in everything.

Posted by: DenisSaintDenis | Jan 17 2025 14:57 utc | 35

Posted by: Canadian Muslim | Jan 17 2025 14:31 utc | 30
“China’s economy is huge, but they are still behind on other things—property rights, legal structure and social infrastructure
Call for “reforms”… The constant from the scribes of Wall Street…
<=Thank you! Your list of deficiencies are the tools that interfere with life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. They give power to a few at the cost of the many. Property rights account for over 90% of the asset side of the Western owned ideologically driven multinational balance sheets. Such rights are generated by rule of law.. If the law of private ownership of property were to be abolished, individual freedom would return to the world.. and multinational monopolism would disappear. I believe the multi-polar world will only happen if individual property rights are abolished, or at least limited to the capacity of the owner to use the property productively during his or her lifetime and for that ownership to disappear on the death of that owner.. I also believe no non-natural (by law created) person should ever be allowed to own property; corporate ownership of property was a characteristic of colonism and is a feature of imperialism. Hence, IMO, China has it closer to right than does the West..

Posted by: snake | Jan 17 2025 15:18 utc | 37

Posted by: WMG | Jan 17 2025 14:19 utc | 25

(No, I am NOT a paid US troll)

If you have to say that.
Chinese government debt is 90% of GDP.
Quite high, but staggering? You must be a woman. Women tend to exaggerate.
For context,
USA government debt to GDP is 121%;
Japan: 251%;
Italy: 137%;
France: 112%;
Spain: 102%;
Germany: 63%;
Russia: 20%;
Brazil: 88%;
India: 83%;
Indonesia: 41%.
World average: >100%
China is below the world’s average. So lady, relax now, you don’t need to be so ‘concerned’.

Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Jan 17 2025 15:18 utc | 39

The Chinese ain’t like us. . .
Confucianism
When Chinese people have become more and more greedy as a result of incredible material abundance and badly need spiritual rebalancing, Confucianism offers useful insights for “changing the situation, handling state affairs, and improving the morality of society.” In order to make the appeal to Confucianism logical, president Xi is even ready to argue that “the Chinese communists have always been faithful inheritors and upholders” of Confucian philosophy.

Posted by: Don Bacon | Jan 17 2025 15:22 utc | 41

Some data points quoted in a recent article at the Unz Review:

Very importantly, Chinese consumers spend far less on big ticket service items – rental (China home ownership is over 90% compared with 60% in the US), healthcare (largely free or heavily subsidized), and education (free public education all the way through university and graduate school).….
…. It’s not just Chinese consumers spend less to get same, they actually consumer quite a lot given the nominal per capita GDP is less than 20% of US:
China has the largest global retail goods sales, 20% larger than US, at dollar value without adjusting for purchasing power
China auto sales was 30 million units in 2023 compared with 15 million in the US
13 million residential units were sold in China in 2023 (after 3 years’ negative growth) compared with 4 million sold in the US
China accounts for 30% global luxury goods sales, even in economic downturn, 2X of US
China is the largest outbound tourist country with 200 million outbound trips made a year
China leads the world in sales of mobile phones, LED TV, home electronics, sporting goods and a lot of other consumer goods by a wide margin
China consumers 1/3 of electricity generated in the world, reaching 8000 terrawatt hours last year compared with 4000 terrawatt hours for the US
China has surpassed the US in per capita daily calorie and protein intake
Chinese life expectancy is 78.6 compared with 77.5 in the US, when 18% of US GDP is in the healthcare sector and 7% in China
Chinese graduates over 5 million STEM college students a year verse 800,000 in the US
Chinese total household debt is $11 trillion vs $17.8 trillion in the US
Chinese total household savings is $2 trillion vs. $911 billion in the US
According to the Federal Reserve, 40% Americans cannot cover with $400 unexpected expense. I don’t know any comparable number for the Chinese
Based on data, I think it’s safe to argue Chinese consumers don’t underspend compared with global average or even over-consumption countries like the US. They certainly have a bigger cushion in the form of savings and much less indebted.

Posted by: Exile | Jan 17 2025 15:39 utc | 43

@ karlof1 | Jan 17 2025 15:43 utc | 44
You’re welcome. . .I kept notes when we last discussed Confucianism, May 21 2023.

Posted by: Don Bacon | Jan 17 2025 15:52 utc | 45

the cost that can be priced is not the eternal way
the name that can be named is not the eternal name

Posted by: Aleph_Null | Jan 17 2025 15:58 utc | 47

Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Jan 17 2025 15:18 utc | 39
What is debt ?
No don’t bother answering that question. As no doubt you will say it is like household or business debt. That they need to borrow Yuan as they can’t issue it from thin air.
Rather than tell the truth that it is an asset the public save in. China does not borrow to issue Yuan.
Now, if your economic model you have chosen is an export your way to growth economic model. That means you sell stuff and get foreign currency. You then swap that foreign currency for a saving asset in that country.
China exports to US —> gets $’s —-> then swaps those $’s for US treasuries.
So China holds a lot of their funds in foreign central banks. So did Russia who also export their way to growth and why their foreign currency was easily stolen. Why most exporting your way to growth countries have smaller levels of their own debt. A lot of their funds are saved abroad.
So Chinese government debt is 90% of GDP. So who holds these saving assets at the Chinese central bank ?
1. Foreign investors, including wealth managers, mutual funds, family offices and hedge funds.
2. state-owned or state-controlled financial institutions.
That’s who hold Chinese government bonds.
So how did all of these people get their hands on Yuan in order to buy Chinese government bonds ?
It works like this ….
Step 1: China issues Yuan using keystrokes.
Step 2: People earn Yuan by working in both the public sector and private sector by offering goods and services to the Chinese government.
Step 3: They then swap the Yuan they have for a Chinese bond to earn more interest in their savings. Or balance risk in their savings portfolios.
That’s it.
None of this causes financial stress for the Chinese government. All the Chinese government promise is to swap a reserve balance for a bond.

Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Jan 17 2025 15:59 utc | 49

Posted by: Scottindallas | Jan 17 2025 14:05 utc |
Scottindallas, while I appreciate your perspective on the current state of what is termed “AI,” it’s important to clarify some misconceptions about its capabilities and its evolution over recent years.
First, the notion that AI is merely “simple computer programming” overlooks the complexity and sophistication of contemporary machine learning and neural networks. Today’s AI systems, particularly those utilizing deep learning architectures, are capable of processing vast amounts of data, recognizing complex patterns, and making predictions that extend far beyond static programming paradigms. The difference between traditional programming and AI lies in the latter’s ability to learn from experience and improve performance over time—an aspect that is fundamentally connected to its capacity for understanding nuances in data.
Furthermore, it’s crucial to differentiate between narrow AI (the type we predominantly interact with today) and the more aspirational concept of general AI. Narrow AI systems, like language models and image recognition tools, have shown remarkable competency in specialized tasks—such as language translation, medical diagnosis, and autonomous driving—driven by extensive datasets and advanced algorithms.
Your assertion that “logic only reveals tautologies” does not fully encompass the advancements in AI. For instance, deep learning algorithms leverage complex mathematical frameworks that allow them to extract meaningful insights from seemingly chaotic datasets, thereby enabling breakthroughs in fields such as natural language processing, where AI models can engage in meaningful dialogue and even generate human-like text.
As for the idea that “AI sucks,” it’s critical to recognize the vast array of applications where AI has demonstrably enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and even creativity across diverse industries, such as healthcare, finance, and entertainment. AI does not claim to replicate human intelligence in an anthropomorphic sense; rather, it enables machines to perform specific tasks at or above human-level proficiency, which indeed showcases a form of practical intelligence that is far from “simple.”
Lastly, it’s worth noting that the field of AI continues to grow, with ongoing research aimed at overcoming the limitations of current models and pursuing the elusive goal of general intelligence. While we may not have reached this pinnacle yet, the trajectory of progress in AI research over the past decade underscores a dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape.
To further hammer home the points, I’ll add a bit more context to highlight the significant advancements in AI:
The introduction of deep learning techniques, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs), has enabled the development of robust AI models capable of processing complex data and achieving state-of-the-art performance in various tasks.
– **Rise of Natural Language Processing (NLP)**: Modern NLP capabilities, such as language translation, sentiment analysis, and text generation, have improved dramatically, allowing AI models to interact with humans in more natural and intuitive ways.
– **Autonomous Systems**: The development of autonomous vehicles, drones, and other systems has pushed the boundaries of AI capabilities in real-world scenarios, demonstrating its practical applications and potential for widespread use.
– **Advancements in Reinforcement Learning**: Reinforcement learning techniques have enabled AI systems to learn from their environment and adapt to new situations, paving the way for more dynamic and self-aware AI models.
It’s essential to remember that AI is a rapidly evolving field, with new breakthroughs and innovations emerging regularly. As such, dismissing its capabilities or labeling it as “simple” or “hyped” does a disservice to the dedicated researchers, developers, and engineers working tirelessly to advance the field.
Let’s continue the discussion and share our knowledge to help shape a more accurate understanding of AI’s potential and limitations.

Posted by: Assistants | Jan 17 2025 16:12 utc | 51

Japan: debt to GDP ratio of 251%
Completely destroys all of the ideological fairy tales told about government debt. What is promised by the ideological lunatics who are using gold standard, fixed exchange rate models. NEVER transpires into reality because they are juggling fruit and comparing Apple’s and oranges and producing a banana.
Gold standard, fixed exchange rate analysis no longer applies. They don’t understand modern money. So their fairy tales NEVER happen.
Bank of Japan research refutes the main predictions made by economists about the impacts of large bond-buying programs
Here:
https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=62277
Bank of Japan is making losses on its balance sheet – so what?
Here:
https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=61841
The parallel universe in Japan continues and is delivering superior outcomes, while the rest look on clueless
Here:
https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=61468
Bank of Japan continues to show who has the power
Here:
https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=51194
Even after the infamous Japanese bond widow maker trade as they bet on Japan going bankrupt because of the size of their debt.
They NEVER learn. The economics propaganda of the gold standard, fixed exchange rate models they use must continue. The framing and narratives must NOT change. It is how they trap and control other countries. It is colonial imperialism 101. The economic blueprint the war mongering eastwards use.
Only ideologues fall for it.
Canuck will be along shortly saying I don’t know how central banks work. He is a buffoon and as always juggles fruit and instead of challenging what I am saying. He Is stupid enough to prove my point for me.

Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Jan 17 2025 16:17 utc | 53

good work b!! but at what cost to your sanity?? lol… thanks for your work and astute observations..

Posted by: james | Jan 17 2025 16:29 utc | 55

It’s all really quite simple if one does the research. Get it?
Posted by: aristodemos | Jan 17 2025 16:21 utc | 54
So are the operations of central banks. It is not rocket science but the sheep would rather believe the propaganda because it massages their confirmation biases and tickles the ideological bones in their bodies. That is that government, the currency issuer is just like a household or business. The sheep are extremely stupid. Most of us at the bar know that already.
This 4 part series is excellent aristodemos
Here’
https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=43607
Explains why Japan makes a complete mockery of the mainstream economics profession.
EXACTLY as b shows beautifully above regarding China. All the same language, narratives and framing are used.
The ideologues do exactly the same with Japan for decades as they are now doing with China.
Here:
Japan – another week of humiliation for mainstream macroeconomics
https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=33094
They NEVER learn they are incapable of learning.

Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Jan 17 2025 16:39 utc | 57

Writing in the Press these days must feel like adding a different topping on a basic industrial frozen pizza and calling that “Grande cuisine”. There is no mysteries on why nobody trust them. Even McDonald has seasonal and regional flavors …

Posted by: Savonarole | Jan 17 2025 16:44 utc | 59

Good timing, this is an exceptional 30min analysis of the USA-China geo-strategic, super-imperial, hybrid great game, and stakes, pretty much covers all of super-imperialism and it’s modern implementation vis-vis the hapless EU vassal states too. Most here know most of it but still offers many clarities and insights:
Hong Kong Professor exposes hidden reasons behind America’s Forever War
If anyone wants a good briefing on Tik-Tok/Rednote happenings Carl Zha is the man. It’s important, the unravelling of the narrative seems unstoppable, it’s not your father’s cold war newsprint and TV mind control anymore, in the digital era, at least for now, it’s wack-a-mole for the Mighty Wurlitzer, the organ grinder went out for a piss and the monkey is hitting one discordant note after another. We have the Chinese to thank for that, 20ys ago who’d have ever imagined, certainly not the Chinese.
American TikTok Refugees Joining Chinese Social Media App REDnote
Chinese App RedNote Radicalizing American TikTok Refugees
American TikTok Refugees and Chinese compares Grocery/Medical Bills on RedNot
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jan 17 2025 12:45 utc | 9
It’s kind of shocking looking at those Rednote videos. Those CIA propaganda writers in the US must be thinking of getting it banned too right? Else their whole narrative will come crumbling down.
Thanks for the links, I’ll add those content creators to my bookmarks and watch more of their videos later.

Posted by: Autumn | Jan 17 2025 16:49 utc | 61

Maybe I missed it or was too ignorant. I seem not seeing people in the west asked “What is WRONG with COMMUNIST if its ideal is to bring better lives to people and societies without preying on others???” Of course, it is wrong in the rentier capitalist society that came from piracy, preying, and colonization. IMHO, the west should not be considered as civilization in any humane sense but simply different forms of barbaric societies masked by material advances.
For Chinese, its ideal is always to bring peace and prosper to its people regardless who is in power since 2000+ years ago back to at least Zhou Dynasty. If the one in power can’t deliver, it becomes legit for people to seek “changes” since the one in power would lose the Heaven’s Mandate. Also, China always emphasizes that it is Chinese-characteristic socialism for China. China does not see China’s implementation is one-size for all. If others in the world would like to try and learn from Chinese experience, they are welcome to do so on a mutual-respect basis and develop their own characteristic socialism that fits their culture and people’s need. It is a complete opposite of amerikkka’s so-called “democracy”.
amerikkka thinks China would be its mirror image to impose its imperial greed to others. However, that is not in traditional Chinese mind. China is so proud of itself. It will not go outward unless getting pissed. Instead, it does not mind others to come and learn. An example is Japan during Tang Dynasty. Korea, to a good extent, is also heavily influenced by China though they are not willing to admit it since it consider itself as the first and greatest country in the universe.
On 2021-03-26, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said,

The goal of China has never been to surpass the United States, but to constantly surpass and become a better version of ourselves.

(Source: the picture at the link.)
amerikkka can say or do whatever it wants. The fact is it can’t stop Chinese rejuvenation, which is a non-stoppable trend. The Iron Curtain II is rising by amerikkka to circle itself and its European vassals. Without the west, the rest of the world actually can live quite well. If the west can’t live fairly and nicely with others, the west better get ready for its Dark Age II too.

Posted by: LuRenJia | Jan 17 2025 16:55 utc | 63

One sentence you will NEVER EVER hear in the Chinese government.
” How are we going to pay for it ? ”
They are not stupid enough to fall for this type of neolib and neocon propaganda. They know fine well they can create the Yuan at will and never run out of Yuan.
They fully understand it is always about skills and real resources that you have and what you want to do with them. To increase your productive capacity.
NEVER about finding the money. Which is the easiest part of all when you create the damn thing from thin air.

Posted by: Sun Of Alabama | Jan 17 2025 17:01 utc | 65

For Chinese, its ideal is always to bring peace and prosper to its people regardless who is in power since 2000+ years ago back to at least Zhou Dynasty. If the one in power can’t deliver, it becomes legit for people to seek “changes” since the one in power would lose the Heaven’s Mandate. Also, China always emphasizes that it is Chinese-characteristic socialism for China. China does not see China’s implementation is one-size for all. If others in the world would like to try and learn from Chinese experience, they are welcome to do so on a mutual-respect basis and develop their own characteristic socialism that fits their culture and people’s need. It is a complete opposite of amerikkka’s so-called “democracy”.
amerikkka can say or do whatever it wants. The fact is it can’t stop Chinese rejuvenation, which is a non-stoppable trend. The Iron Curtain II is rising by amerikkka to circle itself and its European vassals. Without the west, the rest of the world actually can live quite well. If the west can’t live fairly and nicely with others, the west better get ready for its Dark Age II too.
Posted by: LuRenJia | Jan 17 2025 16:55 utc | 63
Mandate of heaven + don’t seek hegemony
on the final paragraph it’s at least Dark Age III on historical records (you forgot the bronze age collapse)
Bronze age collapse 1180 BC
West roman empire collapse 476 AD
New western europe collapse 2132 AD
But forget about the (though losing and recovering a lot of stuff in the meanwhile)s, unless they get tangled in the mess they should constantinople the whole thing and first razed in the 2850’s, (though losing and recovering a lot of stuff in the meanwhile).

Posted by: Newbie | Jan 17 2025 17:04 utc | 67

“Dual-use” can be used to describe almost anything. The U.S. highway system, for example, was built with dual-use purpose to facilitate rapid deployments of weapon systems. The railway system was integrated with the MX missile program in the 1980s. The accusations of a surveillance element built into TikTok simply mirror longstanding regulations across western world with communications technologies. What sinister advantage could China’s government actually realize from U.S. teenagers’ dance videos? The lawmakers cannot answer that, but proceed regardless. (Second-thoughts have begun to abound as it is realized the young demographic see the ban as ridiculous overkill sponsored by idiots).

Posted by: jayc | Jan 17 2025 17:14 utc | 69

Excellent post, b; thank you!

Posted by: canuck | Jan 17 2025 17:57 utc | 71

Posted by: james | Jan 17 2025 17:04 utc | 66
You’re right james, it’s 5 or 6, I normally refer to them as 5+1 where 1 are the Zionists. The master race.

Posted by: pepe | Jan 17 2025 18:01 utc | 73

While I admit that it’s a bit early for predictions, the TikTok ban may well turn out to be the greatest Streisand Moment / Own Goal in American history.
I haven’t created a RedNote account, but I did download the app, and it’s true: hundreds of thousands of young Americans (and those numbers are increasing by the minute) are finding out that Chinese aren’t mindless automata in a repressive backward society. Even worse, they’re finding out that lots of Chinese speak awfully good English, which facilitates — perish the thought! — actual communication.
This could be bigger than what Anime has done for Japan, or K-Pop for (South) Korea. In these cases, young Americans became consumers of a foreign entertainment product. In the case of RedNote, they’re actually engaging in cross-cultural understanding, which the American PTB will no doubt find deeply threatening.
Long live RedNote — and long live the TikTok ban? . . .

Posted by: malenkov | Jan 17 2025 18:07 utc | 75

For the Anglo American Empire, slandering a competitor is par for the course. In this age of Social Media, it takes 30 minutes to watch live videos to debunk most propaganda and fake news. As we should be aware, predicting China’s economic doom is a cottage industry.
The predictions have proven 100% wrong since 1949. Some examples:
1990. China’s economy has come to a halt. The Economist
1996. China’s economy will face a hard landing. The Economist
1998. China’s economy’s dangerous period of sluggish growth. The Economist
1999. Likelihood of a hard landing for the Chinese economy. Bank of Canada
2000. China currency move nails hard landing risk coffin. Chicago Tribune
2001. A hard landing in China. Wilbanks, Smith & Thomas
2002. China Seeks a Soft Economic Landing. Westchester University
2003. Banking crisis imperils China. New York Times
2004. The great fall of China? The Economist
2005. The Risk of a Hard Landing in China. Nouriel Roubini
2006. Can China Achieve a Soft Landing? International Economy
2007. Can China avoid a hard landing? TIME
2008. Hard Landing In China? Forbes
2009. China’s hard landing. China must find a way to recover. Fortune
2010: Hard landing coming in China. Nouriel Roubini
2011: Chinese Hard Landing Closer Than You Think. Business Insider
2012: Economic News from China: Hard Landing. American Interest
2013: A Hard Landing In China. Zero Hedge
2014. A hard landing in China. CNBC
2015. Congratulations, You Got Yourself A Chinese Hard Landing. Forbes
2016. Hard landing looms for China. The Economist
2017. Is China’s Economy Going To Crash? National Interest
2018. China’s Coming Financial Meltdown. The Daily Reckoning.
2019 China’s Economic Slowdown: How worried should we be? BBC2020. Coronavirus Could End China’s Decades-Long Economic Growth Streak. NY Times
2021 Chinese economy risks deeper slowdown than markets realize. Bloomberg
2022. China Surprise Data Could Spell R-e-c-e-s-s-i-o-n. Bloomberg.
2023. No word should be off-limits to describe China’s faltering economy. Bloomberg

Posted by: Ron | Jan 17 2025 18:24 utc | 77

They invest in people where we in the west invest in debt impoverishment. I hope I live long enough to see the west realize it’s mistakes and help all rise. I do not see anyone with any power in the US that sees this.
Posted by: Groovinpict | Jan 17 2025 16:17 utc | 52
Agreed. The possibility of collapse will imo soon change the calculus back to where the US supports Europe, in this version of Cold War II to help counter the Russian (post Soviet) bloc. A stronger US control of Europe will (unfortunately for the Eu people) precede this turn in policy.
At this time the US is banking on winning.

Posted by: jopalolive | Jan 17 2025 18:37 utc | 79

When I was a boy in the 50s-60s, our leaders in DC taught us to be afraid of Communism, mostly the Soviet Union. When the Soviet Union disappeared and PR China abandoned Communism, our leaders in DC told us to be afraid of Muslims, especially in Iraq. Then when we conquered Iraq and it didn’t make up happy, our leaders in DC have started telling us to be afraid of 1) Russia (almost Soviet, DC says) and China (still has a political machine which used to be Communist but now is a businessmen’s club). Hmmmm…. Why?
I suspect it allows our half-wit leaders to make big bucks off military gadgets. If also allows the sadists and sociopaths among them to enjoy killing people.(Mostly brown people but the recent anti-russia proxy war kills lots of whites, so they feel un-racist.) Finally, a lot of them get to enjoy cheap prostitutes. Sex tourism in Thailand and Philippines is a by-product of our anti-commumist war in Vietnam.
So now, war or struggle with Post-Communist China. Why? I suspect our leaders in DC want China’s leaders to be as submissive as Japan’s or Britain’s. They are upset that ordinary Chinese people are prospering, while ordinary Americans are getting poorer and more often homeless.

Posted by: lester | Jan 17 2025 18:43 utc | 81

The real risk of collapse is within the US, and the EU, but probably put off for a little while by the mass oligarchic celebration of a Trump presidency (great for profits as regulations get slashed etc.), and the fiscal tail winds caused by his tax cuts (also great for profits). Then, perhaps at the end of this year we get the final denouement. It may be a blow off top for the ages!
All the while China will keep building better infrastructure, managing property prices down to better income/price ratios, and gaining the lead in yet more areas of technology. The more it is forced to disconnect from the West the better as that disconnection will help protect it from a Western implosion. It will need to keep some powder dry though to help offset that implosion.

Posted by: Roger Boyd | Jan 17 2025 18:48 utc | 83

I read or saw somewhere that all of China’s civilian car ferries, and there are hundreds if not thousands, have been designed to handle military equipment if needed. The PLA has been preparing for a struggle over Taiwan and a lot of other islands for near a century so I don’t see why that wouldn’t be true.
Posted by: LightYearsFromHome | Jan 17 2025 12:51 utc | 10
Taiwan’s largest trading partner by far is mainland China with the USA coming in second. China does twice the trade volume with Taiwan as compared to the USA however that doesn’t tell the true story because China supplies Taiwan with raw materials and food whereas the USA buys finished goods made from these Chinese imports so Taiwan is far more dependent on China than the USA.
They could find other markets for their products if the USA stopped buying however there is no taiwanese chip manufacturing without refined silica from China.
What they don’t tell you on CNN or Fox news but is common knowledge in the rest of the world is that Taiwan plans to reunite with China and the majority accepts this. It just makes sense to everyone involved except Americans and the butt hurt losers of the Chinese civil war.
Those “invasion barges” are most likely for the eventuality of a US led coup or a US occupation of Taiwan because the Chinese don’t need a military invasion to reunify with Taiwan.

Posted by: HB_Norica | Jan 17 2025 18:50 utc | 85

Good post!

Posted by: steven t johnson | Jan 17 2025 18:55 utc | 87

In response to
”
Perhaps “socialism with Chinese characteristics” but certainly not capitalism.
Posted by: Roger Boyd | Jan 17 2025 18:53 utc | 86
”
I question your choice of words and projection of them.
China has a mixed economy, just like every other country since Roman times. A mixed economy has public and private inputs….not socialism and capitalism
The last I looked at China, it has over 80% private inputs to the economy. This makes your statement incorrect and, IMO, quite misleading…..I respect and expect better of you.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jan 17 2025 19:09 utc | 89

deep learning algorithms leverage complex mathematical frameworks that allow them to extract meaningful insights from seemingly chaotic datasets
Posted by: Assistants | Jan 17 2025 16:12 utc | 51

Add the crushed head of rabbit, two spoons of garlic powder, then speak the abra cadabra! …

Posted by: persiflo | Jan 17 2025 19:18 utc | 91

@ persiflo | Jan 17 2025 19:18 utc | 91 with the AI perspective…thanks
AI does what it is told to do, nothing else.
But I really came back to the bar to further rant about the ISM myth. One of the reasons the MoA comments have value is that they generally stay within the boundaries of reality, past, present and future.
But some discussions get into religions and ISM type of myth. I hate both equally and wade in to smite them here as often as I am able. I encourage all barflies to come here and talk about our social reality that is top/bottom, not the myth of left/right. I say the same thing when it comes to finance discussions, we are in a social organization type war over public/private finance and lots of what we see are proxy wars of that.
I expect Trump and team to bend the rules of language and look forward to discussions about the implication and meanings of the political tsunami coming to America.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jan 17 2025 19:32 utc | 93

The USA has an additional 200% debt to GDP in the form of long term federal government obligations – mostly Social Security and Medicare, plus some military pensions and healthcare.
To be clear … these are promises made to currently working Americans that later in their life, they will be able to draw on these resources … and yet these obligations don’t get officially counted as government debt because they are marked as “off-budget” and theoretically the payment is voluntary, in as much as any future Congress could decide to pay less or maybe even nothing at all.
May I also point out that every Ponzi scheme eventually unwinds, but it’s a question of when that happens and who gets ripped off.

Posted by: Tel | Jan 17 2025 19:53 utc | 95

The question really should be: does anyone listen to the Mighty Wurlitzer any more?
Outside the Baby Boomer generation and the PMCs, I actually doubt it.

Posted by: c1ue | Jan 17 2025 20:33 utc | 97

As usual, B’s post says more about the tragic state of current Western “journalism” than it does about China, and how, over time, the more journalism becomes propaganda, the more degraded the propaganda produced becomes as well.

Posted by: Refinnejenna | Jan 17 2025 20:43 utc | 99