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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 22-Dec-2013
22-Dec-13 World View -- China denounces Japan's planned military expansion

Web Log - December, 2013

22-Dec-13 World View -- China denounces Japan's planned military expansion

North Korea threatens South with 'merciless attack' via fax machine

This morning's key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com

China denounces Japan's planned military expansion
Another anti-polio worker shot in Pakistan
North Korea threatens South with 'merciless attack' via fax machine

China denounces Japan's planned military expansion

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (BBC)

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (BBC)

China is denouncing Japan's change in military strategy from "pacifism" to "proactive pacifism. Japan plans substantial increases in defense and military spending, especially to create a new amphibious assault force, in response to China's surging military strength and nationalistic aggression. ( "18-Dec-13 World View -- Japan announces new military buildup to counter China")

China's first reaction, on Wednesday, was:

"It is hardly cheering news that a country whose leaders still salute war criminals has formally launched its military reconstruction."

This refers to the visits by Japanese politicians to make annual personal visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which contains Japanese dead from WW II, including 14 convicted or accused Class A war criminals.

China's Defense Ministry spokesman said, "China is firmly opposed to Japan's relevant actions," and said:

"On the one hand, Japan claimed that it is a peace-loving country, and that it adheres to a defensive defense policy and will not be a military power. On the other hand, Japan is peddling the so-called "proactive pacifism".
In its new defense program guidelines, Japan gave up the policy of building of a moderate self-defense force. ...
Japan also planned to purchase advanced armament like F-35 stealth fighters, surveillance drone fleet and Aegis destroyers and tried to form a fast-response-amphibious unit.
Where is Japan's military and security policy going? ... It causes great concerns from Japan's Asian neighbors and international society.
On the one hand, Japan claimed that it respects freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, but on the other hand, it repeatedly denied its history of aggression during the Second World War, challenged the post-war international order and hurt the feeling of the people of the war-victim countries, he said.
As a nation that can not reflect on its history, what qualification does Japan have to speak about freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law? How can the country make contributions to the world peace?
Japan has on the one hand claimed to strengthen international coordination, safeguard peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and make efforts to ensure security and prosperity of the international community, but on the other hand it sticked [sic] to the Cold War mentality and beefed up military alliance with relevant countries.
Japan also tried to woo other countries to create regional confrontation and roil the regional situation, he said, noting that Japan's actions run counter to the trend of the times featuring peaceful development and win-win cooperation.
We urged Japan to make deep introspection on its history, honor its commitment to peaceful development, and try to improve its relations with Asian neighbors with concrete actions, so as to play a constructive role in safeguarding regional peace and stability."

China Ministry of Defense and BBC

Another anti-polio worker shot in Pakistan

Ghalib Khan, a health technician working in Pakistan's polio vaccination program was shot multiple times and killed by motorcycle gunmen on Saturday morning. The Taliban have been killing workers in the polio vaccination sector, claiming that polio vaccinations are a Western plot to prevent Muslims from having children. The result is that polio is in endemic in Pakistan, as well as in Afghanistan and Nigeria. Furthermore, Pakistan's polio has been spreading, as strains of Pakistan's polio virus have been found in other countries, including Syria and China. According to the latest data, the greatest number of polio cases in Pakistan are in the northwest, in and near the tribal areas, where the Taliban have been most active in killing health workers. Pakistan Today

North Korea threatens South with 'merciless attack' via fax machine

South Koreans burn effigies of North Korean child dictator Kim Jong-un and his late father (AFP)

South Koreans burn effigies of North Korean child dictator Kim Jong-un and his late father (AFP)

The North Koreans have faxed a threat to the South Koreans, saying that they will conduct a "merciless strike" against the strike, "without notice." According to a South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman said they faxed a response right back: "We've sent a reply vowing to react sternly to any provocations by North Korea."

The North's faxed threat was a response to rallies held by North Korean defectors protesting child dictator Kim Jong-un's human rights abuses, some burning effigies of Kim and his father. The North Korean military condemned that the rallies insulted North Korea's "highest dignity," referring to the child dictator.

There is still considerable concern among South Koreans about the aftermath of last week's execution of Kim's uncle, Jang Song-thaek. There have reportedly been dozens more executions, including Jang's relatives and other senior officials who worked with former dictator Kim Jong-il. I get the impression from the reports that anyone over the age of 35 has been executed, leaving the child dictator and his young friends to run the country. That's undoubtedly an exaggeration, but still, the possibilities for instability are large. Yonhap (Seoul) and AFP

(Comments: For reader comments, questions and discussion, see the 22-Dec-13 World View -- China denounces Japan's planned military expansion thread of the Generational Dynamics forum. Comments may be posted anonymously.) (22-Dec-2013) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 22-Dec-2013 22-Dec-13 World View -- China denounces Japan's planned military expansion

China denounces Japan's planned military expansion

Another anti-polio worker shot in Pakistan

North Korea threatens South with 'merciless attack' via fax machine

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 22-Dec-2013
22-Dec-13 World View -- China denounces Japan's planned military expansion