the PRC has every right to exercise control over its sovereign territory, and that’s the cold hard truth the US would potentially have to face, thanks to the one China policy,

Not true…

One China policy

The One-China policy [一個中國] is the principle that there is one China and both Mainland China and Taiwan are part of that China. What this exactly means is somewhat ambiguous.

One interpretation, which was adopted during the Cold War, is that either the People’s Republic of China or the Republic of China is the sole rightful government of all of China and the other government is illegitimate.

Another interpretation is that there exists only one geographical region of China, which was split into two Chinese states by the Chinese Civil War. Supporters of Chinese reunification believe that this “one China” should eventually reunite under a single government.

—–

In other words, the US does NOT necessarily recognize the PRC as the one true government over all of China. 🙂

Here’s slightly dated article that mentions another alterntive to the AirTanker solution…

US group eyes UK refuelling deal

Flight International
20 Jul 2004

The UK’s faltering acquisition of a next-generation fleet of inflight refuelling aircraft has taken a further twist, with a US-based group having emerged to promote a new lease solution based on the McDonnell Douglas KC-10/KDC-10 tanker/transport already in service with the Netherlands and US air forces.

A collaborative venture between Evergreen Aviation and Omega Air, the Global Airtanker Service (GAS) is offering to have up to 10 KDC-10s available for the UK from January 2006, with a proposed total fleet of 20 aircraft. The company’s KDC-10s – one of which will be on static display at this week’s Farnborough air show – can be equipped with wing pods and a centreline hose to perform three-point tanker duties.

The GAS proposal is being made as an alternative to the UK’s planned 27-year Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) private finance initiative deal with the EADS-led AirTanker consortium, which has been selected to supply Airbus A330-200s adapted for the tanker/transport role. Negotiations have been under way for months, but have faltered on cost grounds. Industry sources say the GAS team could be supported in the UK by Serco – part of the Boeing-led Tanker Transport and Service Company team eliminated from the FSTA contest earlier this year.

CRAIG HOYLE / LONDON

China, for all it’s bluster, will NEVER attack Taiwan.

Not unless Taiwan attacks it first.

For it’s part, I highly doubt Taiwan will ever officially declare independence…the only thing gained from it would be economic sanctions.

Personally, I think there’s a greater possibility of China going to war with Vietnam again than with Taiwan.

Looks like a Jeep Wrangler

BINGO!

(Not mine…a rental on my last visit to San Diego)

I thought the new bomber had been cancelled (AGAIN) because it would be more expensive than expected.

Bombardier lands $1.5 billion in loan guarantees

Bombardier Inc. officially received $1.5 billion in loan guarantees from Industry Canada yesterday to sell up to 45 aircraft to Air Canada – and the Montreal company is in line to receive from Ottawa another $700 million U.S., or about $856 million, by Christmas to develop its proposed CSeries family of larger jets.

Does this mean Embraer will be filing a complaint at the WTO against Bombardier for illegal subsidies?

:dev2:

Me and lovely fiance…(and yes, the tux is rented).