As a Russian I am pretty biased, but I can't help but marvel at the West.
Lithuania started this row over Taiwan. They literally pissed in China's eye, knowing full well what the Chinese response is going to be. But then, somehow, it's still China's fault for engaging in Cold War rhetoric and ratcheting up political aggression? I am sorry, but I don't buy it. The equivalent here would be China opening up a Scotland or a Catalonia embassy in Pekin to troll Spain/UK, then being surprised Spain/UK break off relations.
This whole story also vividly reminds me of what the British did a few months back in the Black Sea. They knowingly sailed too close to Crimea, filmed our response (jets flying overhead, etc), then for weeks showed these clips to the world as proof of "Russian aggression against freedom in Europe." Wtf? Queue eye roll. I see the same dynamic playing out now with China now.
You Westerners go out of your way to initiate conflict, then play the victim card.
Didn't the US seize a bunch of Iranian oil recently? The newspapers say no military ships were involved [1], but it seems fairly straight-forward that the US is using its clout and military might to impede free trade between two independent actors (Iran/Venezuela).
The same could be said of America's failed attempt to block Nordstream-2, where the US unceremoniously tried to insert itself between two third parties trying to trade (Russia/Germany).
These examples are, obviously, not about using "navy to threaten shipping", but the general point stands -- US actively uses its position to punish its geopolitical opponents by disrupting their trade.
China aspires to do the same. That you Westerners are fearful and angry about it is understandable, but this behavior is not unique to China. China is literally learning from you.
Lithuania started this row over Taiwan. They literally pissed in China's eye, knowing full well what the Chinese response is going to be. But then, somehow, it's still China's fault for engaging in Cold War rhetoric and ratcheting up political aggression? I am sorry, but I don't buy it. The equivalent here would be China opening up a Scotland or a Catalonia embassy in Pekin to troll Spain/UK, then being surprised Spain/UK break off relations.
This whole story also vividly reminds me of what the British did a few months back in the Black Sea. They knowingly sailed too close to Crimea, filmed our response (jets flying overhead, etc), then for weeks showed these clips to the world as proof of "Russian aggression against freedom in Europe." Wtf? Queue eye roll. I see the same dynamic playing out now with China now.
You Westerners go out of your way to initiate conflict, then play the victim card.
It's very strange. I don't understand it.