kernals12
Banned
30 Years ago today, hundreds of people in China protesting against communist tyranny were brutally massacred by their government. It's ultimately unusual that the uprising didn't succeed, it didn't just happen at the same time communism was imploding in Eastern Europe, but at the same time as successful revolutions throughout Asia (South Korea, Taiwan, and the Phillippines). It's a very interesting potential POD for many reasons:
1. China is home to 1/5 of the world's population and most of the people still living under full blown dictatorship. Today, it is the world's largest economy (purchasing power adjusted) and is posing an increasingly formidable challenge to Washington's order. It provides support to most of the world's other dictatorships.
China would be an extremely good ally to have as part of the free world. Many strongmen would find themselves with no clothes. The biggest impact would probably be on North Korea.
2. China has lots of border disputes and seperatist groups. What happens to Xinjiang and Tibet? Would Hong Kong be willing to be fully absorbed back into China? How about Taiwan?
The British would probably be willing to just give Hong Kong back, although Hong Kong's residents might be rather angry about China's tax laws. Taiwan could probably be brought into the fold through negotiations. Tibetans and Uyghurs would probably be mostly placated by increased freedoms, with a few extreme seperatists being considered fringe elements.
So on the whole, it's a pretty interesting scenario.
1. China is home to 1/5 of the world's population and most of the people still living under full blown dictatorship. Today, it is the world's largest economy (purchasing power adjusted) and is posing an increasingly formidable challenge to Washington's order. It provides support to most of the world's other dictatorships.
China would be an extremely good ally to have as part of the free world. Many strongmen would find themselves with no clothes. The biggest impact would probably be on North Korea.
2. China has lots of border disputes and seperatist groups. What happens to Xinjiang and Tibet? Would Hong Kong be willing to be fully absorbed back into China? How about Taiwan?
The British would probably be willing to just give Hong Kong back, although Hong Kong's residents might be rather angry about China's tax laws. Taiwan could probably be brought into the fold through negotiations. Tibetans and Uyghurs would probably be mostly placated by increased freedoms, with a few extreme seperatists being considered fringe elements.
So on the whole, it's a pretty interesting scenario.