Art of War 21

China Breeches Western Infrastructure via Italy Summary : 25Mar19; NPR reported Italy as the first major western nation to endorse Chinese global infrastructure expansion into Europe. Italy will sign agreements solidifying their relationship w/ China sometime in April 2019. [i] There is concern by some within the Italian government China may subvert the domestic Italian market. There is also concern amongst European Union (EU) members the new Chinese-Italian relationship will undermine EU economic and political interests. [ii] Article notes : Italy endorsed China's Global Infrastructure Projects efforts Italy intends to link China with its network of ports, bridges, railways and pipelines Italy did not collaborate, or consult, with NATO partners, the European Union…leaving them angry Italy’s government remains divided on the agreement since there’s perceived risk China will overrun their domestic markets Questions Does Italy recognize the possibility

China’s War by Other Means? Belt Road Initiative (BRI)? Summary : Posting addresses some findings from 14Apr19; the Daily Time of Pakistan posted the article “125 countries and 29 organisations sign China initiated BRI”. The article notes are followed by some questions and possible conceptual relevance to Sun Tzu’s Art of War. Article notes : 125 countries and 29 international organizations signed onto China’s Belt Road Initiative (BRI) since its inception roughly six years ago. [i] The article claimed BRI promotes infrastructure development to improve the welfare and economy of the host nation. The article claimed western concerns of BRI participants falling into a “debt trap” is misleading speculation by questionable sources to disrupt China’s increasing global position. The article only cites two sources in the article, “China’s official Belt and Road web portal” and “Isaac Mwaipopo, executive director of the Center for Trade Policy and Dialogue in Zambia”. [ii] Ital

I. LAYING PLANS Sun Tzu [i] 1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to the State. China desires to be a global power [ii] . 2. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected. With BRI plan comes turbulence challenging the current global status quo, and if perceived too much of a direct threat, thermal runaway may ensue, and conflict erupts. Some refer to such instances as the Thucydides Trap [iii] . Global stability may be at stake. Understanding, wisdom, communication is required to avert global conflict.   Alleged perspective of two Chinese military officers regarding war circa 1999 - P 6 - 7   Warfare will always exist. But, future warfare will be more complex, widespread and clandestine. So, while violence may decrease in terms of direct military power projection, there will be an increase in political, economic and technologically-based forms of warfare. [iv] 10. By method a