Aufbau Ost: der teuerste Fehlschlag der Bananenrepublik D

Mein Vater hatte mit der Wiedervereinigung 1990 sofort vorhergesagt das wird sehr teuer und mindestens eine Generation dauern bis die Lebensverhältnisse und Wirtschaft einigermaßen angeglichen sind. 

"... Das zeigt eine brandneue Studie des Instituts der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW) in Köln.

Die Untersuchung belegt, dass die Angleichung sich festgefahren hat. Der sogenannte Einheitsindex des industrienahen Instituts verbindet sieben elementare ökonomische Kennzahlen: die Wirtschaftsleistung je Einwohner, die Produktivitätsentwicklung, den Kapitalstock der Wirtschaft, den Anteil Hochqualifizierter bei Forschung und Entwicklung, die Erwerbsbeteiligung, die Arbeitslosenquote und die Selbstständigenquote. ...

Von Helmut Kohl über Gerhard Schröder über Angela Merkel über Olaf Scholz bis zu Friedrich Merz regiert seit 36 Jahren derselbe falsche Gedanke: Wohlstand entsteht, wenn der Staat genug Geld verteilt.

Wie lautet die Definition von Wahnsinn im englischen: "insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".

Allein der Solidarpakt I brachte den neuen Ländern und Berlin rund 82 Milliarden Euro. Der Solidarpakt II schüttete weitere 156 Milliarden aus. Das sind zusammen also 238 Milliarden Euro – ergänzt durch zahllose andere Förderprogramme, Sozialtransfers und den laufenden Finanzausgleich der Bundesländer. ..."

Aufbau Ost: der teuerste Fehlschlag des Landes "Die neuen Bundesländer holen wirtschaftlich nicht mehr auf. Schon seit fünf Jahren. Die Mauer ist weg, die Wohlstandslücke bleibt. Helmut Kohls blühende Landschaften werden weiter mit Milliarden gegossen und verwelken trotzdem."

Osten holt wirtschaftlich seit fünf Jahren nicht mehr auf "Die wirtschaftliche Angleichung zwischen Ost und West steckt fest: Seit fünf Jahren verharrt Ostdeutschland bei knapp 80 Prozent des Westniveaus, zeigt der aktuelle Einheitsindex des Instituts der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW)."

Trump says he would ‘love’ to see united Ireland

Good news! Bravo!

(5) Trump says he would ‘love’ to see united Ireland - YouTube

Taiwan: the sponge that soaks up Chinese power

That has been one familiar way to look at the China/Taiwan situation for several decades! The Communist Party of China may hold similar views.

However, this view is too narrow!

"Taiwan has an inadvertent, rarely acknowledged [???] role in global affairs: it’s a kind of sponge, soaking up much of China’s political, military and diplomatic efforts. Taiwan absorbs Chinese power of persuasion and coercion that won’t be directed elsewhere while the island remains free. ..."

Taiwan: the sponge that soaks up Chinese power | The Strategist

Taiwan's Efforts to Combat China's Espionage and Subversion

A conventional military invasion of Taiwan by the Communist Party of China is probably not the greatest threat facing Taiwan's existence!

Remember The Art of War by Sun Tzu!

"The problem of espionage has once again been front-and-center in Taiwan’s news headlines during the first quarter of 2025. In January, a startling report from the usually secretive National Security Bureau ... highlighted the increasing efforts by People’s Republic of China (PRC) intelligence and united front organizations to foster subversion throughout Taiwan society, including the efforts to build a fifth column of saboteurs and assassins by leveraging organized crime groups. This was followed later that month by the indictment of Kao An-kuo ..., a retired Republic of China (ROC) Army lieutenant general, and five associated individuals on charges of allegedly forming an “armed organization” for the purpose of conducting sabotage on behalf of PRC forces in the event of an invasion.

"

Global Taiwan Brief - Vol. 10, Issue 7

How to reunite China and Taiwan

Very simple! 

China gives up communism and becomes a normal democracy and the people of Taiwan will hold a referendum about reunification!

Will President Trump make the Art of the Deal? Keep your fingers crossed and pray!

Chinese communist party's influence on current politics in Taiwan

Maybe one day, the Taiwanese people will decide whether and how to be reunified with mainland China.

"The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) uses exchanges with Kuomintang (KMT) leaders to legitimize the party while maintaining coercive pressure against President Lai Ching-te’s administration and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). This dual approach is likely intended to cause the Taiwanese public to associate the DPP with military escalation and the KMT with peaceful cross-Strait relations."

China-Taiwan Weekly Update, December 20, 2024 | American Enterprise Institute - AEI

Mainland China suspends tariff arrangements on 134 items under Taiwan trade deal

Is China now tightening the screws on Taiwan

Let the people of Taiwan decide when and how they want to be reunited with mainland China!

"Mainland China announced on Friday a suspension of some preferential tariff arrangements under the Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with Taiwan."

"Decision to take effect from June 15, says Customs Tariff Commission under the State Council in Beijing

Statement says Taiwan ‘failed’ to take any actions to remove trade restrictions on products from mainland China"

Mainland China suspends tariff arrangements on 134 items under Taiwan trade deal | South China Morning Post

How China Will Squeeze, Not Seize, Taiwan

Taiwan, an island under siege! The citizens of Taiwan will one day decide to be reunited with the mainland until then ...

In The Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote, “To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill”.

As long as the West, Japan, South Korea, and India stand by Taiwan, the Communist Party of China will most likely not succeed.

How China Will Squeeze, Not Seize, Taiwan | Foreign Affairs A Slow Strangulation Could Be Just as Bad as a War

China’s dictator on Mao's 130th birthday threatens ‘reunification’ with Taiwan is ‘inevitable’ as crucial Taiwanese election looms

Typical election interference by a dictator!

If China were a regular liberal and open democracy including federalism, the world would be a much better place! What are the mainland Chinese people waiting for! Fatalism gone wrong!

Was there only a lone Chinese man with the courage and daring to stop  several tanks in 1989! Whatever happend to the unknown tank man?

I have no doubt that the people of Taiwan will voluntarily reunite with China once the Communist Party of China is no longer in power and democracy takes hold in China.

"The “reunification” of Taiwan with China is “inevitable,” Chinese leader Xi Jinping claimed in a speech Tuesday, reiterating Beijing’s long-held stance on the self-ruled island democracy ahead of a crucial election there next month.

“The realization of the complete reunification with the motherland is an inevitable course of development, is righteous and what the people want. The motherland must and will be reunified,” Xi said in an address marking the 130th anniversary of People’s Republic of China founder Mao Zedong’s birth."

China’s Xi claims ‘reunification’ with Taiwan is ‘inevitable’ as crucial election looms | CNN

China’s Three Roads to Controlling Taiwan

I did not read the entire report! However, it is quite possible that China will use any other aggressive, coercive means than military action or invasion to achieve its goal of reunification!

One can also bet, that the Communist Party of China will not allow the people of Taiwan to decide for themselves whether they want to be reunited or not.

I blogged here what I think would be a very effective defense strategy by Taiwan.

"Key Points

1. China seeks to gain full control of Taiwan through three distinct but interrelated campaigns: forceful persuasion, coercion, and compellence.
2. American policy’s focus on compellence marginalizes strategies that counter China’s persuasion and coercion campaigns.
3. China is more likely to achieve its goals through persuasion and coercion or a form of compellence, such as a blockade of the island, short of an amphibious invasion.
4. The US must urgently rethink its defense of Taiwan so that it blocks all three roads to Chinese victory. 

..."

China’s Three Roads to Controlling Taiwan | American Enterprise Institute - AEI

What is Taiwan's best defense against Communist China?

The threat of total destruction of infrastructure, businesses, healthcare and more! China would immediately be faced with a human catastrophy of immense proportions!

Would the Communist Party of China risk to invade or conquer the island when the people of Taiwan are committed to destroy everything to return to the stone age?

The way to reunite China and Taiwan is by a referendum about reunification of the Taiwanese people!

Maybe one day we will learn whether Taiwan actually has threatened China with such an option! I bet Taiwan did make such a threat! A chapter in human history waiting to be written!

CYPRUS, the IRELAND of the MEDITERRANEAN?

Recommendable!
Israel as a producer of offshore fossil fuels and Cyprus

North Korea defectors: Mothers who have escaped North Korea speak out

Very recommendable! Caution: Not for the faint of heart! Why do regimes like North Korea still exist? Why is the Korean peninsula not reunified like Germany? 

Chinese forced repatriation of North Korean refugees is a crime against humanity! This has been going on for many years and thousands if not more North Korean refugees suffered!