Vodkapundit’s Stephen Green sees some ominious signs in the latest report about Chinese oil consumption and what it might mean for the Chinese economy and the world. I don’t know if he’s right or not, but I agree that the signs aren’t good. Many people in the United States are living under the illusion that the Chinese have a market economy and that they are not a threat. The truth, I think, is something far different.
I don’t see the Chinese directly challenging the United States, at least not anytime soon, but I do believe that they will become more assertive on the world stage. They succeeded in bringing Hong Kong and Macau back under the control of the mainland. The next target is the “renegade province” also known as the independent nation of Taiwan. If the Chinese believe that they could take Taiwan with minimal losses and without the U.S. getting directly involved, I believe they will do it. It really is only a question of when.
Update: Well this can’t be good news.
