Waitak

I don't think the Allies had to undertake any military action specifically to evict the Japanese from Taiwan, so we can be magnanimous. In fact, I just read that the Japanese didn't officially cede sovereignty until 1952, so they certainly dragged their heels !

They have for decades. According to this panel of experts, https://www.cfr.org/event/evolving-military-balance-taiwan-strait a Chinese invasion 20 years ago could have been easily repelled. In the past 20 years the balance of power has swung significantly in China's favour, and the Taiwan military now concede that they could only hold on for a matter of days without external intervention.

True - Taiwan was China until the beginning of the Chinese Civil war. Then Taiwan was Japan for awhile. Then back to being China until the end of the civil war. Not exactly. Taiwan was occupied by Japan in the 1890s, and was run as a Japanese colony until 1945. Japan withdrew at the end of WW2, and the country was left to its indigenous population until the Chinese Nationalists occupied in 1949. Going further back, Taiwan was occupied by the Dutch for a while, and intermittently by various Chinese dynasties.

The Western powers have been happily selling weapons and military know-how to Taiwan for decades because it was in their military and economic interests to maintain the status quo. China has routinely complained about these arms sales, and has successfully set about isolating Taiwan diplomatically. China now undoubtedly has the military power to overwhelm Taiwan. The only question is whether the USA and its allies will intervene in the event of an attack, and that decision is entirely dependent on the perceived threat to their strategic interests in the Pacific region should China occupy Taiwan.

I really don't know anything about the conditions specified by those in favour of re-unification. In the 30 years since the advent of democracy in Taiwan, there has been a number of changes of government between those in favour of independence and those in favour of re-unification, and the majority either way is normally slim. If the re-unification party has any illusions about imposing conditions on China, they only need to look at Hong Kong. From 1949 until the late 1980s when the Chiang dynasty ended, Taiwan was officially at war with China. The Taiwanese government (KMT) position for those 40 years was that they were going to invade China and retake control of the country as the "rightful" government, which constitutes their claim. The fact remains that the Communists and Nationalists fought a civil war from the early 1930s to 1949, and the Nationalists lost. Despite spending massively on their armed forces, it was never likely that Taiwan would be able to invade China, and realistically the purpose of their military power was to deter China from attacking them.

The situation is similar to that faced by Great Britain and France in 1938 when Germany announced they intended to occupy the Sudetenland, which was then part of Czechoslovakia. The German rationale was that the Sudetenland was traditionally part of Germany, inhabited primarily by German-speaking people. Britain and France acceded to Hitler's demand, and we all know what happened next. China has a historical claim on physical territory of Taiwan, and the majority of the Taiwanese population are descended from the Nationalist Chinese who occupied Taiwan in 1949, so they certainly have a point. To add a further complication, almost half of the population of Taiwan are in favour of re-unification with the Mainland. China has made its intentions clear. The issue now is the impact of re-unification on the strategic interests of the USA and its allies, and how far both sides are prepared to go in pursuit of their interests.

In my opinion, the mode of transport is irrelevant. What matters, in the eyes of all the interested parties, is that a senior serving American politician is making an official visit to Taiwan. This is very much a line in the sand in the standoff between China and the USA over Taiwan.

I have no doubt that Nancy Pelosi's visit is designed to send a message to China. The USA hasn't had an official diplomatic presence in Taiwan since they recognised the Peoples Republic in 1979, so a visit by a senior American politician is a most unusual and significant event which will most certainly lead to increased tension.

I’m going to see Gilbert O’Sullivan. ....but you end up watching a performance of "The Pirates of Penzance" 'cos you misread the ticket...

The meaning of "woke".

Scarface - the Al Pacino version

Hi Dave, I'm not an accountant but I have many years experience of running businesses - small, medium and large for others and myself. Let me know what sort of advice you're looking for, and I'll tell you if I can help or not.

Ferguson next ?

According to the documentary, an official complaint against him was made and forwarded to Leeds police for investigation. It turns out that Savile had friends in the police, and no investigation took place. Yorkshire police. Again.

I would ignore her request. She sounds immature. Asking you to "defriend" someone she's fallen out with is playground stuff. A more mature person wouldn't attempt to interfere with your social life, and just let the truth come out in time. If this bloke is all she says he is, you'll find out soon enough.

Growing up in the 50s and 60s, Sundays were a strange mix. Sunday school/Church followed by a quick visit to my Nan's, then home for a big roast dinner. We weren't allowed to play out, and there was no daytime TV but the Sunday midday radio shows were great. I particularly remember "Round the Horne" with Kenneth Williams who was always good for a laugh, and I think the Goons were on too.

I've only just seen this thread. Dave, I'm saddened to hear of your sudden losses. I guess there are plenty on here who have experienced the loss of a parent or parent-in-law, but to lose two so close together is exceptionally cruel. I hope it gives you some comfort to know we are keeping you and your family in our thoughts.

This, but forget the "free", find the cash to buy him ASAP. He's a ready made Hendo replacement. Conor Gallagher is brilliant. He’s a pressing machine as well as a really skilful, goalscoring midfielder. If Chelsea’s situation worsens and players start walking out for free, I’d be first in the queue to get that lad. I wouldn’t be arsed about any of their other players but Gallagher has “Klopp player” stamped right through him like a stick of rock.

Totally agree with your analysis of Sanchez's game. Who knew he was capable of that ? And what the hell happens to players like him when they move to Old Trafford ?

What we have seen from United over the past 8-9 seasons is a reversion to their long-term "normal" persona, which was in place from the mid 1950's through to the early 1990's. The Ferguson years were the real aberration, not what came before or after.

"What a team these lads are." Nail on head. We are witnessing incredible team performances week after week, and it's a beautiful thing to behold.

I really hope Klopp told Arteta to go get his fucking shine box at the the end.

No other measure of your contempt for Newcastle could possibly exceed your adoption of Son Heung-min as "my boy" - even if only for one game !

Indeed, and that just added to the German sense of injustice and search for "revenge". I don't think there was a sense of regret at the terms of the Versailles treaty on the Allied side at the time (1919); I think it was generally felt that the Germans should be made to pay. With the benefit of hindsight, a more magnanimous approach would have led to a better outcome, and I think this lesson had been learned at the conclusion of the Second World War, with the Allied nations (primarily America) assisting with the post-war rebuild of Germany and Japan.