Hero of the Yellow Emperor

Only Lien Chen could go to China.
The former president of Taiwan and leader of the Kuo Min-Tang party is in China today-probably sleeping right now-meeting with leaders in Nanjing. His itinerary also puts him in Beijing for a meeting with China President Hu Jintao. The press is abuzz with the words "historic trip," and "historic China visit." They're right. Never since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949 has a KMT leader met with a leader of the Chinese Communist Party, until now.
Many among the Democratic People's Party of Taiwan, the party currently enshrined in the presidency, protested the trip, including President Chen Shui-bian. Although Chen and the KMT have offered a tenuous reversal of their condemnation of Lien's visit, they remain cautious of what Lien may do while in China. Some sources report that their trepidation extended to warning Lien that he would be charged with treason should he attempt to reach some official agreement with China.
Despite the official opposition and the popular protest, Lien is in China. This is indeed a historic landmark for China-Taiwan relations, especially after China's passage last month of an anti-secession law that legalized the use of military force, if necessary, to prevent Taiwan from seceding. But what about accusations that Lien is using the visit to bolster the KMT's standing in Taiwanese political circles, a standing that suffered the loss of the last two presidential elections?
I disagree. Although I am the first to make the cynical observation, and the argument contains merit, I believe that Lien is acting with history on his mind. Rather than concerns for current political machinations, his motivation lies in thoughts of his place in history, and thoughts of what might happen should Taiwan and China open hostilities. Optimistic, perhaps, but for once, after examining the situation, I choose to believe that, if not all, then, the majority of Lien's reasons for going to China are altruistic.
And should it work...the opening of official dialogue between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China is indeed a historic first step toward positive relations and a lessening of tensions across the strait. Bravo, Mr. Lien Chan, bravo.
"Be seeing you."

This is the Way the World Ends

Koizumi's gone to South Asia.
On first blush I agree with Talat Masood's, a retired Pakistani general, appraisal of Koizumi's visit to India and Pakistan. An AFP article quoted Masood as saying, "Koizumi is visiting the region because Japan wishes to play an important role in Asia and compete with China."
More now than ever I'm reminded that the majority of the major wars of the twentieth century involved Asia, in particular the Pacific Rim countries. Not to sound hawkish, but should the tensions between China and Japan continue to grow, we may be witness to some very volatile and emotional carnage. That said, I hope it doesn't come to pass, but I fear it may. Next to Southwest Asia, East Asia poses the largest threat to large-scale political stability in the world. Combine the increasing tensions between China and Japan, Lien Chan's visit to China, (a trip that seems intent on driving the wedge between unification and cessation of Taiwan ever deeper) and the still unresolved issues in North Korea, and you're left with a rather tenuous situation. None of this bodes well for Japan and India's joint bid for permanent seats on the U.N. Security Council.
I'm very interested to follow this particular story. Never before has the U.N. suffered such a major change to their infrastructure. I think, if successful, this bid for reform will set an important precedent that could very well save the U.N. from itself.
Enough doomsaying.
As to the title of this entry, I watched the first episode of Stephen King's The Stand, earlier this evening. The show begins with a superscript from T.S. Eliot. I thought I would therefore take this opportunity to break out of a politico-centric blog and discuss a little in the way of the arts.
Last night I broke ground, in a major way, on a play. I'm not sure yet if it will stretch into a full two act adventure, but what I managed to put on paper presents an interesting venue for societal commentary. The question that will determine the play's length is one of plot.
Right now the play centers on two people's emotional journey, a plot of decision and of reflection, but not enough plot to fill a hundred pages of script. I can add some subplots and other situations, but I can't help but wonder if those additions will help or hurt the emotional impact of the piece. I guess the answer is to develop crisis that tax my main characters, that put them through the wringer, throw an anvil at their heads and watch what happens. I'll keep you posted.
And with that, "Be seeing you."

The Mandate of Heaven

Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
-Ulysses
Alfred Lord Tennyson

Although Tennyson's words refer to the gods of Greece, the poem, one of my personal favorites, seems applicable to the current situation in Asia. Two regional hegemons, China and Japan, have locked horns and begun the battle for supremacy in Asia. It is too early yet to determine which side will come out victorious, that determination won't happen for years yet, but whichever side does win, they will face the United States as their newest adversary.
I think Prime Minister Zoikumi, today, made a move which is indicitive of how these two countries will deal with the growing conflict. After offering another official apology Friday, for the atrocities committed against China and other Asian countries, Zoikumi turned around and declared that China is as much at fault as Japan in the current crises. In fact, every step towards reconciliation has been moderated by an equal step in the other direction, by both sides. While posting soldiers outside the Japanese embassy in Beijing to stop protestors, Hu turned and called for more than a simple apology from Japan, he wants action. Particularly, Hu wants Japan to back down from its joint defense policy on Taiwan, a policy in place since February of this year. I would suggest that this is indeed the root of the entire situation and it's taken nearly three months before China could finally come out and say it.
Since Chiang Kai-shek fled mainland China in 1949 and settled his forces on Taiwan, the mainland communist government wanted it back. Whether their motivation lay in a desire to return all of China's historically controlled land to itself, or whether there was a degree of revenge, China wanted Taiwan back. Japan's move to join the U.S. in declaring Taiwan a security concern therefore irks China no end.
I would further suggest that China has searched for an excuse since February to make noise and that Tokyo's publication of somewhat inflammatory textbooks provided the perfect opportunity. As far as policy goes it's a little risky, but with China's mass and population they can't harbor too many fears of international retribution should the situation grow beyond their control.
Only time will tell, though, which side will win. My money's on China. Unfortunately, if China does win, the United States has already begun to set up China as its next fight for world hegemony, a fight which I question if we can win.
Until next time, "Be seeing you."

Here, At the End of All Things

Yes, I do have delusions of grandeur.
Hopefully they will not unduly affect my sense of reality, but I'm not holding my breath. This is my first entry into a new and undiscovered country (reference Shakespeare, not Star Trek) and I'm not sure where this will take me. With luck it will be an interesting adventure worth my time and yours.
One guarantee I will make: I will allude to many things. For anyone capable of catching all of my allusions and references I've reserved a special prize.
As the hour is late and my intelligence wanes wisdom dictates a cessation of further salutations. Thus I bid you welcome to The Siege Perilous and say, "Be seeing you."