Dispatch: U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue

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The range of topics at the third U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue is expanding, but Analyst Matt Gertken says underlying strains could erupt at any time.

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[wabdinur]

The US sells weapons to Taiwan and then wonders why the Chinese are increasing their military budget. I like to see how the US would react if some nation started to sell weapons to a breakaway Texas.

What's even weirder is that a nation of 300 million people has a defense budget around 700 billion but it is alarmed with a nation of 1.3 billion people which has a defense budget of 100 billion.

[AR15Truther2]

lol the U.S. will leave the pipeline in afghanistan undefended? I think not

[Phead128]

@wabdinur

Agreed

[Phead128]

@nagasako7

You realize the US military budget of 700 billion doesn't include the costs of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Those wars easily eclipse the 700 billion dollars... plus the black budget which they don't report to Congress.

The most hated war monger nation on Earth - USA

[wabdinur]

@nagasako7

"Atleast none of US allies in the region is shelling North Korean islands "- A lot of countries that think they matter on this world-stage have their little pit-bulls to showcase their regional influence. Take Iran with Hezbollah, take America with Israel and Taiwan, take Russia with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. I guess you're pointing out that China's pit-bull (North Korea) isn't restrained and out of control :D

[wabdinur]

@nagasako7

China is surrounded by so many countries...there's bound to be a border dispute. The problem is how to solve those transnational issues. If China pisses off her neighbors to the point that they are willing to collaborate with America then that's China's fault. If China follows the "might is right" rule then China should not complain when the tables are turned. I'm sure China understands this and that's why they are always engaging in demarcation discussions with their neighbors.

[nagasako7]

@wabdinur Atleast none of US allies in the region is shelling North Korean islands for no reason and seizing Vietnamese and Philippine territory.

But I agree about budget, but please... PRC is far from innocent.

[wabdinur]

@ASeventhSign

Don't forget, China is bankrolling a sizable portion of America's spending spree... eventually you'll be working to pay off China's loans :D So what were you talking about enslaving someone?

[wabdinur]

@ASeventhSign

The guy who is building an iPod in somewhere in Asia has more job security than an American. America can half its defense budget and still be the largest spender on defense. Think about it, who on their right minds would want to invade a country that is heavily armed and sits on over 2k nuclear bombs? I bet a small portion of that defense budget can be used to find an alternative to fossil fuel energy.

[ASeventhSign]

It's not weird, we just don't want our slaves to have weapons. Now, get back to making my iPad 2, I'm tired of waiting.

[wabdinur]

@Srd1126

That little island (Taiwan) actually thought it was the representative of all of China (even the UN played along with that idea) till most countries realized that idea was absurd in the 70s. Now that Taiwan can't have mainland China, it wants to be separate? I think not. Even the US acknowledges the one China policy and avoids openly supporting an independent Taiwan.

The US mostly uses that budget on the offensive against backward nations. It's a waste on the American taxpayer.

[Srd1126]

@wabdinur This doesn't compare. Taiwan stayed free when the communists took over, China thus has no claim on Taiwan. Texas chose to become part of the USA and we did take care of them when they tried to break away illegally. As to defense budgets, it isn't cheap to float a navy that protects the oceans for the world. The rest of the world should be grateful the USA does this.