Comments for Don Tow's Website

Comment on The Untold Truth About Taiwan’s Real Legal Position* by Michael Wong

Michael Wong — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 04:25:27 +0000

An excellent short summary of the legal status of Taiwan as a province of China. Very readable and easy to understand. Thanks.

Comment on Review of New Book “Research of Martial Arts” by Jonathan Bluestein by Southern Soul Academy

Southern Soul Academy — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 14:52:49 +0000

The way you’ve dissected the book’s exploration of external and internal approaches to martial arts sheds light on the nuanced complexities within these realms. Your commentary on the significance of continuous practice, theoretical sophistication, and their iterative relationship resonates deeply. It’s a testament to the book’s depth that it sparks such varied interpretations, much like the martial arts it delves into. Your perspective adds an enriching layer to the ongoing dialogue on martial arts philosophy and practice.

Comment on Qiu Jin (秋瑾) – China’s First Feminist by 15 juillet 1907 – L'exécution de Qiu Jin : une héroïne de la cause anti-féodale chinoise - Nima REJA

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 22:03:05 +0000

[…] https://www.dontow.com/2009/08/qiu-jin/ […]

Comment on Review of “Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’s Trap? by Nancy Tai

Nancy Tai — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 04:42:28 +0000

Don,
Your review of Allison’s book & Freeman’s analysis are thorough & correct. Marcus’s comment is also valid. It is disappointing & annoying that so many commentaries from bloggers, analysts, so called experts, etc kept referring to the US China competition/conflict as a case of Thucydides Trap! None of the characteristics fits when comparing with the case of Athens & Sparta!
Nancy

Comment on Review of “Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’s Trap? by Dan B.

Dan B. — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 22:53:16 +0000

Allison’s thesis of war as an endpoint is basically absurd. This is not ancient Greece with the weaponry of that era.
A real war between China and the USA would last only several hours, at most, and result in the complete and permanent destruction of both countries by nuclear warhead missiles.

Comment on Review of “Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’s Trap? by Marcus Breen

Marcus Breen — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 21:33:47 +0000

Don: Thank you for the review of the book about which you make important observations.

There are major limitations in using the Thucydides Trap.

First, is it an ancient philosophical concept, aligned with idealist philosophy, conservative analysis and western establishment perspectives. As such it has limited utility in explaining the current US-China challenges. It is instructive to see how frequently it is used, as if this is a great leap forward (Sorry) for analytical international relations by scholars from elite US and western universities and think tanks. It is hardly even a jump over a puddle.

The second point follows: because the ‘Trap is constrained by western ideology it cannot adequately include teh most important aspects of the head-on collision between the these two great powers. I am assuming that China is a great power. The missing part of the analysis is socialism. As an ideology with a political system evolving in China, it offers a different ideology: a non-western, non-imperialist, peace perspective. Analysts using the Thucydides Trap methodology fail to take this into consideration, or belittle it as failed, when the evidence points to accomplishments in China.

Comment on What Should Be Done in Reaction to U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn’s Racist Remark “China Has a 5,000 Year History of Cheating and Stealing. Some things Will Never Change.” by Christina Leung

Christina Leung — Sat, 01 Apr 2023 02:52:56 +0000

Thank you for rightfully listing out the absurdities, ignorance, and other defects of Burn’s tweet. Hers is just an obvious example to show how the current demagogues act, namely, for unjustified personal political gains rather than for the benefits of the country, nor for the world. As responsible and participatory citizens, we should be relentlessly fighting back

Comment on What Should Be Done in Reaction to U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn’s Racist Remark “China Has a 5,000 Year History of Cheating and Stealing. Some things Will Never Change.” by S. B. Woo

S. B. Woo — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 14:17:13 +0000

Dear Don: Imagine what the news of Blckburn’s defeat in Nov., 2024 will do?
It’ll be a shock wave of such a magnitude that shall correct the hateful behavior of many American politicians of today. Let’s work together to defeat Blackburn – a very difficult job. Let’s aim high for us and for the U.S.!

Comment on What Should Be Done in Reaction to U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn’s Racist Remark “China Has a 5,000 Year History of Cheating and Stealing. Some things Will Never Change.” by Aridaman K. Jain

Aridaman K. Jain — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 14:08:17 +0000

It is important to point out the absurdity of the comment “China has a 5,000 history of cheating and stealing. Some things will never change…” made by Senator Marsha Blackburn about China.

Comment on Panel Discussion on “Changing U.S.-China Relations and Their Impact on Chinese In the U.S. and Elsewhere” ** by Tim Zebo

Tim Zebo — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 19:37:25 +0000

Sadly, aren’t we watching the CCP behave like a 4 year-old???

Imagine the different response the CCP would evoke from Taiwan if, instead of constantly sending warplanes on “surprise visits” close to Taiwanese air space!!!, the CCP would help Taiwan solve its (e.g.) air pollution, Summer heat, or typhoon problems!!!

Or, if not, why not?

What am I missing here?

“Taiwan reports China’s largest incursion yet to air defence zone.

China has stepped up its diplomatic, military and economic pressure in recent years on the self-governed island to accept Beijing’s rule.”

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-says-43-chinese-air-force-planes-crossed-taiwan-strait-median-line-2022-12-26/