new podcast: Indonesia's Defence Dilemma

[Samoerai]

It will have to be. China is pushing hard to get more and more, and the west is trying to push the Chinese away. Probowo has a job I wouldn't like

Today in the news in Holland, 27 april 2024: China's influence in the Solomon Islands is expanding and not everyone is happy about that. At the same time, the geopolitical struggle brings opportunities for the archipelago, where poverty is a major problem.

What is happening (read influence of China) in Indonesia, is happening in the Solomon Islands, on a smaller scale. Didn't know that

There is a video covering the battle between east and west to win hearts and minds of people in this strategically important Pacific nation on Youtube:


There is even Chinese police power present to protect the Chinese infrastructure. Wow!

 

[Shadrach]

These video's of China moving in on the Solomon islands, are a sad reminder of everywhere, that lets them slowly come in! And buy their way into these places! Such as Indonesia too! Because in America, if you have enough money, you can buy what you want! Times Square, Montana, etc. I do admire how the Chinese think! They move very slowly, grabbing more and more, very slowly, until they have what they want! While countries like America, Australia, and some European nations, come in fast, with lots of might, but too scary for the developing countries. It will be interesting to see what develops in the long run!

 

[pantaiema]

Today in the news in Holland, 27 april 2024: China's influence in the Solomon Islands is expanding and not everyone is happy about that. At the same time, the geopolitical struggle brings opportunities for the archipelago, where poverty is a major problem.

What is happening (read influence of China) in Indonesia, is happening in the Solomon Islands, on a smaller scale. Didn't know that

There is a video covering the battle between east and west to win hearts and minds of people in this strategically important Pacific nation on Youtube:
There is even Chinese police power present to protect the Chinese infrastructure. Wow!

I never understand why would a sovereign country will ever allow a foreign police presence in their own countries.

 

[Shadrach]

I never understand why would a sovereign country will ever allow a foreign police presence in their own countries.

It's probably for Chinese Money!

 

[harryopal1]

I never understand why would a sovereign country will ever allow a foreign police presence in their own countries.

If the country is small in a strategic location and without serious military might then fear of other bigger countries may lead them into an alliance that is supposed to protect them.

 

[jstar]

I never understand why would a sovereign country will ever allow a foreign police presence in their own countries.

There was quite a scandal in the Netherlands when it became clear that small trade representative offices on different locations in the country, were in fact Chinese police stations. Used to spy on and control their own people.

 

[snpark]

Also Chinese projects tend to be infrastructure roads railways and ports so they can control you and cut you off later

 

[pantaiema]

There was quite a scandal in the Netherlands when it became clear that small trade representative offices on different locations in the country, were in fact Chinese police stations. Used to spy on and control their own people.

I haven't read that story but I believe the one in the Netherlands, are conducted discreetly and only come to light when they're revealed.

In almost any country, Individuals, businesses have the liberty to employ security personnel, within their own compound or residence. This practice is known in many countries, including Indonesia. However, it's important to note that they are not police. They are not a law enforcement officers.

The situation in the Solomon Islands is different, as in the Solomon Islands, they are not the security guard but police officers. Their presence are authorised by the government, and they are deployed throughout the island to protect Chinese infrastructure.

Later, this police officers could be replaced by military personals with or without police uniform when needed.

 

[Balifrog]

I haven't read that story but I believe the one in the Netherlands, are conducted discreetly and only come to light when they're revealed.

In almost any country, Individuals, businesses have the liberty to employ security personnel, within their own compound or residence. This practice is known in many countries, including Indonesia. However, it's important to note that they are not police. They are not a law enforcement officers.

The situation in the Solomon Islands is different, as in the Solomon Islands, they are not the security guard but police officers. Their presence are authorised by the government, and they are deployed throughout the island to protect Chinese infrastructure.

Later, this police officers could be replaced by military personals with or without police uniform when needed.

The US has 30k troops in.South Korea, many 1000's in Japan, and more.in Europe.
It does not shock anybody, so why would Chinese troops in some Island shock the world ?
Djibouti has US, French and Chinese troops since years.

And that is without mentioning the CIA's "black operations" everywhere in the world !

 

[pantaiema]

The US has 30k troops in.South Korea, many 1000's in Japan, and more.in Europe.
It does not shock anybody, so why would Chinese troops in some Island shock the world ?
Djibouti has US, French and Chinese troops since years.

And that is without mentioning the CIA's "black operations" everywhere in the world !

True. They are also stationed in NATO nations across Europe. However, they usually operate under a central command jointly controlled and funded by several countries. The key distinction lies in their involvement in a defence and security treaty. Although such treaties offer mutual benefits, the primary advantage typically lies with the recipient.

In the Solomon Islands, they are policemen tasked with safeguarding Chinese assets and infrastructures. While the military is limited to combat roles during wartime, the police work around the clock and have authority to search and arrest, detain civilians / politicians / activists as necessary.

 

[Bob]

There was quite a scandal in the Netherlands when it became clear that small trade representative offices on different locations in the country, were in fact Chinese police stations. Used to spy on and control their own people.

Similar in the US. They had and maybe still have several clandestine police posts around the country.

 

[centurion]

Similar in the US. They had and maybe still have several clandestine police posts around the country.

Would be interesting to know if any in Indonesia.

 

[harryopal1]

Would be interesting to know if any in Indonesia.

Whether or not they have clandestine posts in Indonesia is almost incidental. China has a well established tradition of having agents who monitor or directly try and influence if not intimidate Chinese nationals to follow whatever direction the Communist Party decides is required.

 

[Samoerai]

Also Chinese projects tend to be infrastructure roads railways and ports so they can control you and cut you off later

Recently in the news ... about scanning equipments at the harbors of The Netherlands.
Full of Chinese spy software checking what goes in/out of Europe. Why?


The Dutch branch of the Chinese company Nuctech was raided. Nuctech makes scanning equipment for checking containers and baggage entering and leaving Europe. The European Commission had ordered the raid.

 

[jstar]

Now competition, spying and obtaining business intelligence are not the only possible issues.

The fear, esp.in the EU is that Xi, with a mere push on a button, can immobilize all these MG / BYD / Chery / Nio / XPeng / AiWays / …. vehicles on the European roads.

The same for networking equipment of course.

 

[harryopal1]

Now competition, spying and obtaining business intelligence are not the only possible issues.

The fear, esp.in the EU is that Xi, with a mere push on a button, can immobilize all these MG / BYD / Chery / Nio / XPeng / AiWays / …. vehicles on the European roads.

The same for networking equipment of course.

So it seems that with this possibility and then deliberate cutting of undersea internet cables in the even of hostilities with the US (and Australia being a "running dog" of the Americans as the Chinese Communists describe us) we can apparently look forward to decades of total world chaos like being plunged back into the ice age. I can't help but wonder what contingency plans are in place to manage the economy and all the dislocations that this would bring about. I daresay we are just in the thinking about it stage.

 

[Samoerai]

. I can't help but wonder what contingency plans are in place to manage the economy and all the dislocations that this would bring about. I daresay we are just in the thinking about it stage.

China already steps ahead ...

 

[Shadrach]

So it seems that with this possibility and then deliberate cutting of undersea internet cables in the even of hostilities with the US (and Australia being a "running dog" of the Americans as the Chinese Communists describe us) we can apparently look forward to decades of total world chaos like being plunged back into the ice age. I can't help but wonder what contingency plans are in place to manage the economy and all the dislocations that this would bring about. I daresay we are just in the thinking about it stage.
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if this is the case, then why not create internet access over the airwaves? Someone says all these Chinese made cars, could be stopped with the push of a button, then Why buy them? That could also happen with any, all electronically controlled vehicles! All of these so called New Age technologies, I thought were designed to make life easier, not something to create chaos and make life a misery?
Have we lost all our freedoms for this situation?

 

[Hawk256]

if this is the case, then why not create internet access over the airwaves? Someone says all these Chinese made cars, could be stopped with the push of a button, then Why buy them? That could also happen with any, all electronically controlled vehicles! All of these so called New Age technologies, I thought were designed to make life easier, not something to create chaos and make life a misery?
Have we lost all our freedoms for this situation?

As a retired commuications engineer, I will take the first question.

Internet access over the airwaves is very possible for short range and/or low bandwidth links. AT&T used microwave transmitters across the whole US for long distance communications years ago. The equipment is expensive to purchase and maintain and it is not capable of suppling the bandwith needed for our current uses. However fiber is cheap to install (comparatively) and maintain with huge amounts of bandwidth available.

Satellite would be the next choice. Lauching and maintaining satellites isn't exactly cheap plus until recently with Starlink, the latency from the signal travling so far would add 600 ms to every transmission both ways. May not sound like a lot but even things like VOIP will not function correctly with that amount of delay (basicly have to use it like a walkie-talkie, over) and that amount of latency is very problematic for data links of any kind. Try gaming with that delay. Starlink has reduced the latency dramatically by using low orbit satellites but then you need more satellites (5,874 currently and still not enough for future plans). Add in the cost and size of the ground station and it doesn't make much sense if you have other options. Not to mention ff the fiber is cut you can go and repair it, if a satellite gets destroyed, the only option is to lauch a new one. Until something new is invented fiber is the answer.

 

[jstar]

Someone says all these Chinese made cars, could be stopped with the push of a button, then Why buy them? That could also happen with any, all electronically controlled vehicles!

Well, not really. For instance as of 1 July, there are laws in place for the EU which address cybersecurity for new cars. So quite many models will disappear from the market since financially it did not make sense for the manufacturers to adapt those cars to the new regulations.