Dear Hasbeen,

«Just a question, why would the Chinese bother buying all the land they are, if they had thoughts of invading us?»

Perhaps to support their future invasion in their long-term pipeline?

I used to think that it is a case of Chinese individuals wishing to keep their hard-earned savings away from the claws of their communist regime, also to have a place to eventually escape to.

I have no problem at all with such freedom-loving Chinese people, but I am starting to suspect whether there is a controlling hand behind this. Where this is found to be the case, the corresponding land should be confiscated. Also, for all future land purchases, a standard condition of land-registration should be a declaration that the new owner has no ties whatsoever with the Chinese Communist Party.

At least I'm not a product of a brain washing academia, who are probably looking forward to a communist take over, misguided fools that they are.

When I worked in manufacturing industry there was a young communist Chinese who worked during the day as a welder, and at night as an office cleaner. He had disembarked off a Chinese cargo ship and hoped to raise enough money to buy a house in Australia. He would never talk about the communist Party, because they were taught to respect their Government and be willing to die for it. This is the sentiments of the mainland students here in Australia, they will conflict with violence against the Hong Kong students. Communist Socialism is won by violence, not by reason against Democratic strongholds.

A dictatorship is built on fear and China has
perfected this system of deterrence. Its government
has countless ways of reminding its citizens that
it is able and willing to use force. Bans on leaving
the country, arbitrary arrests and even torture.

Yet currently what the world is witnessing is that
China's usual threats are not having any effect on
the predominantly young Hong Kong protesters who have
been taking to the streets for 10 weeks now.

Neither police brutality nor mass arrests have
deterred the protesters. The people seem to feel
that they have nothing to lose - that's why China's
threats are having no effect. The people interviewed
seem to believe that this is their last chance at fighting
for freedom.

In reality Hong Kong has a lot to lose. An invasion of Chinese
troops would mean the city would cease to be a financial
hub and the freedom people now have would be scrapped.

But then, Beijing would also suffer. Hong Kong is the
global financial gateway for Chinese companies and
images of carnage in Hong KOng streets would ruin
China's image and reputation for years.

Moreover - possible economic sanctions would further
exacerbate the country's economic woes and weaken its
position in its trade dispute with the US.

Of course nobody could stop China if it decided to
intervene in HOng Kong. As several leaders from the
Tiananmen Square episode said - "The West Forgets,"
So this time Western democracies should make it
clear to China - that it would pay a huge price for
any intervention. The message should be loud and
clear.

Foxy, I totally agree. Hong Kong is the trading hub of Western democracies. Beijing has a lot too loose if they attack.

Dear Josephus,

Nobody could stop China if they did attack.
That's why Western democracies should make it clear
that China would pay a huge price for an
intervention.