Or they'll stop selling stuff to K-Mart?

China warns US to stop arms sales to Taiwan or risk bilateral ties growth, Agence France Presse, 14 July 2004

China warned the United States to stop selling advanced arms to Taiwan and cut military links with the island if it wanted any improvement in bilateral relations.

Missile tests fuel Taiwan’s tension, Daily Times of Pakistan, 14 July 2004

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is to stage a mock invasion of Taiwan this month, with SU-27 fighters battling for air superiority and supporting an amphibious landing in land, sea and air exercises on Dongshan island, less than 300 km (200 miles) from Taiwanese soil, state media said.

China hits at US moves over Taiwan, Financial Times, July 14 2004

The remarks come as the Taiwanese legislature prepares to debate an $18bn (£9.7bn) proposal to purchase submarines, anti-missile equipment and anti-submarine aircraft from the US. The opposition Kuomintang is expected to attempt to block or delay legislative approval for the package, which was approved by the Taiwanese cabinet in June.

I think the Kuomintang is going to lose that vote if China keeps up the pressure. After all, firing missiles towards Taiwan worked so well in 1996.

And the United States is so easy to push around, just ask Britain, the CSA, the Spanish Empire, Imperial or Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, North Korea, Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, etc.

I'm not worried about China's Peaceful Rise, because I'm sure they're going to mess it up.

The pity is that "One China" more or less works and it's been trade and investment from Taiwan that has fueled China's rise to date.

So go ahead and mess with the bald eagle, if you want to find out what your place in the global pecking order really is.

-HJC