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When the sun will literally set on what's left of the British Empire

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Re: When the sun will literally set on what's left of the British Empire

#21

Post by ksec »

rwmj wrote: post #4
FridayoLeary wrote: post #2

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's sadly symbolic of the current political direction of the UK. It's probably not too important either way, but the chagos island deal is one of the most one sided I have ever seen. On a darker note the UK was unable to protect the people of Hong Kong when it mattered in another symbol of it's decline. At least they had enough courage and strength to support Ukraine in the early days of the war when nobody else wou…

The UK offered residence with a path to citizenship for all BNO holders in Hong Kong, which was pretty much the limits of the UK's power. What are we going to do? Invade Hong Kong? Hold China over a barrel by refusing to sell whatever it is we sell to China (Scotch whisky?) As for the Chagos islands, it's by far the best thing to get rid of them. There's no value at all and a lot of trouble keeping them.

>Hold China over a barrel by refusing to sell whatever it is we sell to China

China is currently the largest or 2nd largest buyer of UK Pork.

Although I won't be surprised in 2-3 years time China will use it as leverage. As they did with Denmark.

And it is not that China wants any of these either. UK is currently desperately trying to increase its export ( without success )

Re: When the sun will literally set on what's left of the British Empire

#22

Post by lostlogin »

lazide wrote: post #3
FridayoLeary wrote: post #2

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's sadly symbolic of the current political direction of the UK. It's probably not too important either way, but the chagos island deal is one of the most one sided I have ever seen. On a darker note the UK was unable to protect the people of Hong Kong when it mattered in another symbol of it's decline. At least they had enough courage and strength to support Ukraine in the early days of the war when nobody else wou…

‘Protect the people of hong Kong’? You mean follow the treaty they signed ages ago?

Who was the treaty signed with? It wasn’t the CCP.

Re: When the sun will literally set on what's left of the British Empire

#23

Post by lostlogin »

WillPostForFood wrote: post #11
kingkawn wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The idea that the British were holding territory in the world to protect anyone is laughable

Do you think citizens of Hong Kong would choose the Chinese rule of today, or go back to British rule if they could?

That isn’t why the British were there though.

Re: When the sun will literally set on what's left of the British Empire

#25

Post by lazide »

lostlogin wrote: post #22
lazide wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

‘Protect the people of hong Kong’? You mean follow the treaty they signed ages ago?

Who was the treaty signed with? It wasn’t the CCP.

And you think it would be ‘protecting’ the people of Hong Kong to argue with the CCP about it? Lulz

Or that it’s ever been about ‘protecting’ anyone when the British Crown fights anyone over territory? As compared to asserting ownership?

Not to mention the UK nearly lost it’s fight with Argentina - it wouldn’t even be pissing in the wind to go to war with China over Hong Kong.

Re: When the sun will literally set on what's left of the British Empire

#26

Post by permo-w »

Cyph0n wrote: post #13
FridayoLeary wrote: post #2

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's sadly symbolic of the current political direction of the UK. It's probably not too important either way, but the chagos island deal is one of the most one sided I have ever seen. On a darker note the UK was unable to protect the people of Hong Kong when it mattered in another symbol of it's decline. At least they had enough courage and strength to support Ukraine in the early days of the war when nobody else wou…

No, it’s not symbolic of anything. The reality is that the UK has long been relegated to the status of a non-world power, but still acts as if it is one by clinging onto its colonial past. This reminds me of an interview with the CCP spokesperson from last year when asked about how China sees the UK (timestamped): https://youtu.be/8jZ0KTRUgpU?t=240

you'd be naive to believe anyone saying anything like this. in fact if a speaker with vested interests feels the need to say something like this, then more than likely the reverse is true. the UK often tiptoes where it should stride, and it's in China's interest to keep it that way. it's obviously not a super power and hasn't been since WW2--or Suez depending on how you look at it--but it's still the world's sixth largest economy, has nukes, and has masses of soft and hard power that other powers would prefer that it doesn't make use of

Re: When the sun will literally set on what's left of the British Empire

#27

Post by EliRivers »

rwmj wrote: post #4
FridayoLeary wrote: post #2

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's sadly symbolic of the current political direction of the UK. It's probably not too important either way, but the chagos island deal is one of the most one sided I have ever seen. On a darker note the UK was unable to protect the people of Hong Kong when it mattered in another symbol of it's decline. At least they had enough courage and strength to support Ukraine in the early days of the war when nobody else wou…

The UK offered residence with a path to citizenship for all BNO holders in Hong Kong, which was pretty much the limits of the UK's power. What are we going to do? Invade Hong Kong? Hold China over a barrel by refusing to sell whatever it is we sell to China (Scotch whisky?) As for the Chagos islands, it's by far the best thing to get rid of them. There's no value at all and a lot of trouble keeping them.

The Chagos Islands are very valuable as an unsinkable, static aircraft carrier in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Obviously valuable to a nation with the capability to actually support and operate such an aircraft carrier.

Re: When the sun will literally set on what's left of the British Empire

#28

Post by ksec »

Cyph0n wrote: post #13
FridayoLeary wrote: post #2

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's sadly symbolic of the current political direction of the UK. It's probably not too important either way, but the chagos island deal is one of the most one sided I have ever seen. On a darker note the UK was unable to protect the people of Hong Kong when it mattered in another symbol of it's decline. At least they had enough courage and strength to support Ukraine in the early days of the war when nobody else wou…

No, it’s not symbolic of anything. The reality is that the UK has long been relegated to the status of a non-world power, but still acts as if it is one by clinging onto its colonial past. This reminds me of an interview with the CCP spokesperson from last year when asked about how China sees the UK (timestamped): https://youtu.be/8jZ0KTRUgpU?t=240

What CCP is essentially saying Britain is nothing in their view.

Re: When the sun will literally set on what's left of the British Empire

#29

Post by BoredPositron »

Cyph0n wrote: post #13
FridayoLeary wrote: post #2

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's sadly symbolic of the current political direction of the UK. It's probably not too important either way, but the chagos island deal is one of the most one sided I have ever seen. On a darker note the UK was unable to protect the people of Hong Kong when it mattered in another symbol of it's decline. At least they had enough courage and strength to support Ukraine in the early days of the war when nobody else wou…

No, it’s not symbolic of anything. The reality is that the UK has long been relegated to the status of a non-world power, but still acts as if it is one by clinging onto its colonial past. This reminds me of an interview with the CCP spokesperson from last year when asked about how China sees the UK (timestamped): https://youtu.be/8jZ0KTRUgpU?t=240

They have nukes which is enough to sit on the table. Even if you don't like it or them.

Re: When the sun will literally set on what's left of the British Empire

#30

Post by random9749832 »

bluerooibos wrote: post #19
random9749832 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you are just highlighting how the UK is losing agency in the world. At this rate it will become a museum.

Last time I checked, most countries today, aside from Russia, aren't in the business of invading other countries and expanding territory or forming colonies. The UK will be just fine - it's doing as much as any other western country to keep it's relevance.

A country can have leverage that goes beyond how much potential it has to invade or destroy another nation.

> Last time I checked, most countries today, aside from Russia, aren't in the business of invading other countries and expanding territory

How about Israel that the UK is arming? Though in the case of the UK it is contracting.

> The UK will be just fine - it's doing as much as any other western country to keep it's relevance.

That's reassuring.

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