Thread by @RussellSieg

Insightful analysis by @daicing:

"Xi Jinping might have noticed that a mortal threat to a vibrant democracy changes everything. Lazy, greedy, ethically casual societies of the “West” may react with surprising unity and determination."
chinafile.com/conversation/c…

"Xi may already be much less enthusiastic about being shoulder to shoulder with an international cartoon villain with a hopeless pricked-balloon economy, a heavy-footed ground force, and a talent for uniting his opponents."

Buyer's remorse so soon?

"Taiwan is fastest rising economy in East Asia, w/per capita GDP expected to surpass Japan & South Korea; all of them leave the PRC living standard in the dust"

Democratic economies are the most vibrant economies & prove the lie about Chinese societies needing rule by Iron Fist

"And 'one country two systems' mythology has been exploded. Taiwan sits much closer to the heart of international capitalism—real capitalism, not Chinese Communist Party corporatism masquerading as capitalism—and security than Ukraine (or, indeed, than Hong Kong)."

🔥🔥 ❤️🇹🇼

"More important, Taiwan is the most successful rising democracy in the world. Xi would do best to call off his wolf diplomats. Let that gray area of ethical unaccountability unfold again, and let everybody get richer and more flexible."

PRC Wolf Warrior strategy backfiring? 😘