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Those Cool Han Bureaucrats of China Govt

In the fascinating world of Chinese politics, the resounding win yesterday by the anti-China party in Taiwan has caused headaches for the USA.

Whilst the USA supports the Independence movement in Taiwan, it doesn't wish for Taiwan to become independent, per se.

If Taiwan actually has a totally independent democratic government, and formally states total independence, it may well, under Chinese mainland economic pressure, eventually seek the removal of American military forces from Taiwan as time goes by, especially as the economy is failing.

So, whilst the USA maintains a One China policy...whilst supporting Taiwan...a free and democratic anti-China regime in Taiwan destabilises US geo-political plans. It is best for the USA that Taiwan remains as it is...an informality and political wedge.

To complicate things a tad, China has announced that all Chinese people who have left the mainland since the Revolution and taken on foreign citizenships failed to fill in a small form renouncing Chinese citizenship, so all those people who left, China now identifies as Chinese citizens....free to enjoy the benefits of citizenship and the responsibilities. Re-entry to the mainland may thus require a Chinese passport as the other passports former folk now have can be seen as illegal...US, Canadian, European etc until people apply on the small form to renounce Chinese citizenship. China does not recognise dual-citizenships.

As there are far more people, of Chinese extraction, and others, seeking entry into China to settle and do business, than seeking to leave it, this will be a way for the China Government to identify 'real citizens' and question 'potential terrorists' who wish to do business in China.

Leonard Cohen - First We Take Manhattan

Noting our friends, our close military allies, Saudi Arabia, fighting ISIS side-by-side with us, executed, by beheading, 47 people, then sewed their heads back on, and put them on crucifixes for public display. I'm so glad we are spending $2,000 million a year in Australian tax money on militarily supporting the advanced compassionate moderate side in the war on the despicable, evil Terror of ISIS in the Middle East...?....Well done, dear Sharia Saudi brothers in arms, fighting for civilisation...well done Australia...again. Onwards! (I do not use emoticons, so I need to advise that there is some irony in my comments).

News from Asia; CHINA Military A significant increase in cyber/technology in military format and restructuring of the PLA 'rocket force' to provide strategic support from space for China's army navy and air force. Health Disability Support Programs have been introduced across China this January to assist disabled folk and carers, including lowering taxes a lot, + supportive payments for health care and home care. The Introduction of base preventative community health and medical care has begun based upon the successful Cuban model. There's been an easing on restrictions in terms of status for migrant workers enabling access to usual city social and education services. The already noted 2 child policy. An expansion of government pension systems and health care to include retired non-government workers. Environment New City Construction (20x 10-15 mil people) based upon sustainable energy methodologies including solar /wind as legal requirements pre-development. All new highways include construction of tandem fast rail with equal capacity to car-people volume. Communication Expansion of control of internet. SINGAPORE: Development of a drone that can carry a person up to 70kg, that can be controlled by the person or remotely controlled by air traffic control in 'streaming' enabling multiple pod lineal aerial jaunts from suburbs to the city and return. THAILAND: Significant increase in arrests and 'attitude realignment' programs in tune with military government.

N. Korea forging ahead with excavation of new nuclear test tunnel: 38 North

2015/12/31 01:27

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (Yonhap) -- North Korea is forging ahead with excavation of a new tunnel at its Punggye-ri nuclear test site, a U.S. research institute said Wednesday.

New high-resolution commercial satellite imagery shows a canopy set up at the entrance of the new tunnel to shield against falling debris as well as mining cart tracks used to transport spoil from excavation, 38 North said in a report.

"The presence of the mining cart tracks shows that excavation is continuing with no indication of when it will be completed," it said.

38 North also reported new activity at the North Portal at a test tunnel under excavation since May 2013, but said it is unclear whether the activity is associated with maintenance or some other purpose.

North Korea has so far conducted three nuclear tests, in 2006, 2009 and 2013, all at the Punggye-ri site.

In the run-up to the 70th anniversary of the founding of the North's ruling Workers' Party on Oct. 10, fears had grown that the country could conduct its fourth nuclear test or a long-range rocket launch, but no such provocations took place.

In October, South Korea's main intelligence agency, the National Intelligence Service, reported to lawmakers that the North is preparing for its fourth nuclear test, although a test is not imminent.

jschang@yna.co.kr