Stunned and flabbergasted...how could they let this happen?

[johnny]

I've read about our "China" policy, and i don't get it, i don't get it at all. Holland once cancelled a deal of their own with the Taiwanese government. I'm not sure, but i believe they ordered 4 subs, which means "money in the bank".

Then the Chinese found out, and oh boy, were they ever pissed. A lot of shouting in parliament, and the Dutch cancelled the contract.

WHY ???

We hardly ever do business with China. They have nothing we need that we can't buy somewhere else, and they don't buy much of our products either. So what could have been the reason for canceling such a lucrative contract ?

If the US has a deal of delivering 10 subs to Taiwan, and the Dutch again pass up on such an opportunity, because they might hurt a few feelings in Beijing, then i'll only get more confused. The Dutch were always good businessmen, but it sure doesn't show here.

[Timber Loftis]

China gets upset when any nation deals with Taiwan, since it is technically part of the People's Republic. Formally, only nations are supposed to deal with nations. When nations deal with Taiwan they are acting in reality, but the Chinese government's pride of the Taiwan issue transcends reality and they get really fed up. If they were here to argue for themselves, I would assume they would say the deal should have been made with China for items of Taiwanese origin.

[johnny]

Yeah, i know TL, but in this world it's all about money. Everything else, including BS walks.

It's not like we're putting a good friendship on the line here, i don't think they even have good friends. So if it was up to me, i'd let them shout, and fill my pockets in the meantime.

[Attalus]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: China gets upset when any nation deals with Taiwan, since it is technically part of the People's Republic. Formally, only nations are supposed to deal with nations.

Technically has nothing to do with it. Taiwan seceded from China back when it was still the Chinese Republic, though it was in the process of being taken over by the Maoists. The People's Republic never had authority over Taiwan, but they still regard it as a rebellious province. I say, screw 'em.

[ 06-25-2003, 06:46 PM: Message edited by: Attalus ]

[Azred]

I am certain that China's bark is much worse than its bite, but I don't think anyone is willing to take that particular risk. My chemistry professor was from the "rogue province" of Taiwan; according to him the prevailing attitude in Taiwan was one of sadness that China was always run by such uncompromising hard-liners. Oh, well....

Another point about internationally sub-contracting your defense infrastructure: if another country is making pieces of your defense, then wouldn't they be able to circumvent that part of your defense? They built it; they know its weaknesses. Furthermore, how can you prevent them from selling information about what they are making to other nations?