Scott Bessant heard that China was having a meeting with EU and begs for a side meeting. China did not go there to meet the Americans

 Scott Bessant had all along been commenting, almost on the verge of tears, that it is up to China to de-escalate. Did China start the tariff war? No! All China now wants is for the USA to remove those tariffs before talks can proceed. I hope China does not relent on its stand in Switzerland. If that condition is not fulfilled, I think the talks will be fruitless.

Scott Bessant did not answer the question of who called who for the meeting. He has no cards to play and no room to lie anymore. If he claims that China called to set up the meeting, he is bound to face the consequences from the Chinese side, who may not want to talk to him in Switzerland by lying. Neither can he tell everyone that it is the USA that called China first. Trump is trying to be tough by saying that he is not going to reduce the tariffs against China. Trying to pretend to be negotiating in a position of strength has never worked against China. How is that going to have any chance of success at the talks in Switzerland is something I am beginning to wonder?

The story told by Scott Bessant was that the Chinese were in Switzerland, probably building bridges as usual and the USA heard about it. How co-incidental that the USA was also going to Switzerland, the right place and the right time to meet the Chinese. Think about it!

This claim of the USA meeting the Chinese for the 'first time' blew away all the lies by Trump and his administration over the weeks, claiming that they were talking to the Chinese. The Chinese categorically denied such talks ever happened. Now, who had been lying all along is not hard to figure out.

That also brings into focus the claim that 200 countries out of 195 in the world are queuing up to kiss Trump's arse according to the administration. Sometime lying has to have some semblance of credibility, and the 200 countries plucked from the air tells the whole story of how blatant the USA can lie. Scott Bessant also revealed a pertinent point about the most important country missing from the queue - China is not looking to negotiate.

Anonymous

J10 C reputation and sales soar

Shooting Down Five is Enough, More Would Be Escalatory

According to the military spokesperson, the aircraft shot down included three Rafale jets, one MiG-29, one SU-series aircraft, and an Israeli-made Heron combat drone. The jets were downed in multiple locations, including Bhatinda, Jammu, Akhnoor, Srinagar, and Avantipur.

“The Pakistan Air Force engaged these aircraft only after they carried out attacks on Pakistani territory,” DG ISPR said. “Their aggression targeted the territorial integrity of Pakistan and endangered civilian lives,” he added.

The military spokesperson added that while Pakistani forces had the capability to strike more than ten aircraft, they chose to exercise restraint.

He further said that armed forces responded to Indian airstrikes in a “measured and defensive” manner, asserting that the response was carried out in self-defence and without violating Indian airspace.

Pakistan Deputy PM Confirms Using Chinese J10-Cs

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar told the National Assembly that, using Chinese J10-Cs, the Pakistani air force had clear instructions: only shoot down any aircraft that drops payloads.

“If we hadn’t shown restraint, we could have brought down 10 to 12 Indian jets,” he added.

The Chinese J-10C jets, already drawing interest from multiple countries, are anticipated to see increased global demand.

In contrast, India is facing considerable diplomatic and military challenges as a result of this setback.

Shares of Dassault, the manufacturer of the Rafale jets, have sharply declined due to India’s recent military failures.




Impressive Pakistani Air Display Boosts Global Reputation of Chinese Defense Technology
Shares of China’s Chengdu Aerospace Corporation have surged Wednesday following Pakistan’s recent downing of five Indian Air Force fighter jets. The company, known for its advanced J-10C fighter jets that are vital to the Pakistan Air Force, is gaining renewed attention in the global defense market.

In response to Indian aggression, Pakistan successfully shot down five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales, with some targeted by the J-10C jets.

This impressive military display has attracted international focus on China’s defense sector, significantly boosting the company’s stock performance.

Analysts indicate that the success of the Pakistan Air Force not only thwarted Indian military efforts but also bolstered the global reputation of Chinese defense technology.


Anonymous

Singapore political system another casino?

 The total amount of deposits forfeited in the 2025 GE is $364,500. This works out to be more than $10k per opposition candidate. The total cost to a losing candidate that lost his deposit would be at least $20 per head to participate in the election. And this does not include the time and other resources needed, the hard work of campaigning and walking the ground.

What is the motivation of these candidates to work so hard, to pay so much to run an election when the chances of winning is very slim? Are they doing it for altruistic reason, for Singapore, to serve the people? These are very honourable goals for the candidates to pursue, selfless and big sacrifices.

From another angle, it is like going to the casino to place their bets. The winnings, about $200,000 per annum for 5 years as an MP, ie about $1m in rewards. $20,000 bet for a million is better than the winnings in a roulette table that pays 1 to 36. If they can make it to be a minister, that is where the jackpot is. Looking at the CVs of most of the candidates, other than business owners, barely a handful would be able to make $500k a year.

The winning ratio would be much higher if placing the same amount for a Toto bet when the winnings could be $5m or more. No need for all the hard work and walking the ground and to put up a smiling face to all the hoi polloi.

To many of the candidates, throwing down $20k or more for an election is not a small sum. For the political parties, losing the deposit of a GRC is $67,500 each. They need deep pockets to finance such enterprise. Hopefully they are getting sound financial support from their supporters.

Would the opposition parties continue to come back every GE to place their bets and be willing to lose their deposits again and again? Would they continue to make sacrifices to serve the people and country?

Perhaps the payout should be tweaked so that there will be less punters trying their luck in future GE. After all, $200k for a part time job is a huge sum of money for the punters. Very likely 90% of Singaporeans could not earn $100k a year in full time jobs, and 70% of Singaporeans are earning less than $70k working full time.

And MP job is only part time and still earning big money in their full time occupation. If the fly by night punters find the payout is not enough for their trouble, they may not want to risk $20k running for an election. The GE would then be contested by people sincerely wanting to contribute to the nation's well being.

What do you think?

China US trade talks in Switzerland

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer will attend the talks in Europe for the United States, their offices said.

Vice Premier He Lifeng will attend for Beijing, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. CNA


After threatening, pleading, begging, lying about talking to China, finally a meeting is arranged between the two states in Switzerland, not in the US. China would not go to the US as demanded by Trump to kiss his ass. China demanded a meeting in a neutral country, in Switzerland. And the Americans have to agree or else no talks.


The Americans are sending their Treasury Secretary Bessent for the talks and asking for Cai Qi, Xi's most trusted politburo member for the talks. Instead, China is sending a junior minister in Vice Premier He Lifeng for the meeting. No senior Chinese leader would want to meet up with the American gangsters.


This is China's way of telling the Americans that China is only listening and not serious in wanting to negotiate at this point in time until the rogue Americans back down from their hostile and aggressive tariffs. Return to square one then only serious talk can begin.


All the lies about China backing down, wanting a deal, or having talks with the Americans as claimed by the Americans were all lies. China is resolute to fight to the end, even to completely decouple with the American economy. China will now wait for Trump to go down on his knees to beg for negotiation. China knows that in less than 3 months the American consumer market would collapse and there will be uprising and rioting in every city in America. Boeing closing down plants, automobile giants closing down plants, supermarts closing, unemployment soaring, farmers going bankrupt....


China is in no hurry for a deal. Trump is desperate and panicking. Trump wants a deal asap. Xi is squeezing his balls and waiting to hear him screaming in pain. Trump is expecting China to kiss his ass, begging for a deal? Carry on dreaming.

"The two countries' escalating trade war gravely threatens their economies as well as global stability. Given the urgency of the situation, why aren't they communicating? Yale Law School's Susan Thornton weighs in." CNA


Again, this comment is trying to pain China as equally to be blamed for this trade war, that China is escalating. No, China did not escalate this trade war. China did not start this trade war. It is the Americans. China only responded to the hostile American behaviour. Stop blaming China. The rascal is the Americans, Trump and his clowns in Washington. Trump is the menace to the whole world and to the Americans.

China supporting South Asian countries against India US control

The USA wants to use India to control countries around South Asia - Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Kashmir. Any closing of ranks among countries bordering India is seen as a threat.
With Pakistan and Bangladesh closing military links, that is seen as a bigger threat to USA and India's agenda. More so with China's involvement in economic developments in Bangladesh. Now is the time for the USA to push more weapons to India, economically beneficial and geopolitically fundamental, especially against China in Bangladesh and elsewhere in South Asia..

China's sale of weapons to Pakistan and ultimately to Bangladesh is a significant threat to India vis a vis the USA. China's access to ports in Pakistan and Bangladesh is also posing problems for India, that had been trying to cut China off its BRI reach.

With Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan moving closer to China, it is decimating India's attempts to control these few countries. These countries have realized they have been betting on a lame horse like India and have seen the progress of countries betting on China. Even the Africans, far from what is happening in South Asia, have seen the significance of betting on China.


Anonymous