I have recently perused Nicholas Kristof’s NYT piece “China’s Man in Washington, Named Trump”(https://nyti.ms/3h2JXh8). One paragraph in particular caught my attention: “A joke in China suggests that Trump’s Chinese name is Chuan Jianguo, or “Build-the-Country Trump.” That’s because Build-the-Country is a common revolutionary name among Communist patriots, and it’s mockingly suggested that Trump’s misrule of the United States is actually bolstering Xi’s regime.”

Kristoff also avows that since Trump’s ascension to presidency, the American nation became highly polarized. This is reflected in the current administration’s policies on climate change, foreign relations with established U.S. allies, and COVID-19 prevention, all of which are rather ineffective. It also seems like Mr. Trump and his team diverged from the traditional priorities, including promoting free trade, human rights, and other quintessentially American values. As described thoroughly by John Bolton, all these factors contributed to the declining standing of the U.S. in global politics.

What is more, many people fall prey to CCP’s propaganda and its interpretations of Trump’s actions, which only enhances China’s reputation.

But that might not exactly be the case.

The CCP apparently failed to utilize the window of opportunity created by the ineptness of the Trump administration, as China could have grown to the position of a leader by filling in the void left by the U.S.

During the 2016 APEC Ministerial Meeting in Lima, Peru, Xi Jinping and his team actively supported the plans to establish the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific, or FTAAP. In contrast, the United States withdrew its signature from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in early 2017. Coupled with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB), this move bolstered China’s capacity to influence global investments and trade, high-tech mergers and acquisitions, and, overall, expand its geostrategic influence on the entire globe.

At the same time, various propaganda films about great power competition, military industry, and science and technology surged all at once, and gained remarkable following around the world.

All this provided a window of opportunity for the CCP to slowly change its course. Around the same time, the distrust for POTUS among U.S. allies’ reached its apex. According to polls conducted by the Pew Research Center, the distrust for the U.S. president in the U.K. reached 75%, 72% in Japan, 70% in Australia, and stunning 86% in France.

Had the C.C.P,. begun to open up at that time, or at least resumed the governance style of the Hu-Wen administration, it could have reaped the benefits of promoting liberalism where the U.S. failed to deliver. It was the time for Beijing to gradually enhance freedom of speech domestically, pursue sustainable infrastructural projects, gradually reform unfair barriers to trade, transform its S.O.E.s, strengthen protections for private ownership, and vitalize its start-ups and enterprises.

Moreover, were China to cease the genocide in East Turkestan and refrain from cracking down on Hong Kong's semi-autonomy, it would have greatly enhanced its global international image. Additionally, if paired with slow but steady reforms, Beijing’s respect for sovereignty of its peoples would have attracted a large amount of foreign investment, which in turn would have continued to buttress the country’s growth.

It is China prerogative to remain idle.
It might still be possible for Chinese “Dream” to come true.
Yet, a historic window of opportunity is now closed.

Xi assumed the tools of proscribing and stalling, which are completely antithetical to the aforementioned window of opportunity.

Today, China is more authoritarian, less flexible, and fully deprived of horizontal accountability. Its reliance on wolf warrior diplomacy backfired: for example, the Swedish parliament sought to expel the Chinese ambassador to Stockholm. Also, Prague, the capital of Czechia, terminated its sister-city agreement with Shanghai and instead signed a new one with Taipei. Last but not least, we ought not to forget about the recent fiasco in the relations with the United States who ordered the shutdown of China’s consulate in Houston. All of this took its toll on China’s reputation.

Its international standing and inability to replace the U.S. as the major global power are not the only issues China is currently facing.
As it experiences multiple domestic and international shocks, China struggles to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and tame the disastrous floods of Yangtze River. The swarm of locusts of biblical proportions is also crippling Beijing’s institutional capacity and may soon lead to food shortages. In fact, the precarity of food supply further diminishes the level of trust for Chinese authorities.

In 2019, the Pew Research Center conducted a public opinion survey to examine the international views of China. In the U.S., Argentina, the U.K., Canada, Germany, and Ukraine, only about 30% of respondents claim a favorable view of China.

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages in the U.S., as many as 73% of U.S. respondents view China unfavorably.

Recently, the C.C.P. is losing its focus by continuously shifting targets. In fact, I believe there is no need for the C.C.P.to rely on nationalistic appeals, since in this new century values, business relations, and fair competition are all far more important than greater than delusive blood ties.
China lies only 130 kilometers away from us. Of course, we welcome dialogue and seek to avoid misjudgments. But we also distinguish between the C.C.P. and China. While we do welcome dialogue, but we will not be coerced to talk under unjust preconditions or in fear.

The only fair prerequisites are those of reciprocity, mutual respect as well as fairness and openness with respect for the rule of law.
Source: Pew Research Center

最近看到紐約時報中文版的一篇文章
<美國的川普，中國的「川建國」>，其中一小段是這樣的

「在中國，人們戲稱川普的中文名字是川建國。那是因為建國是共產黨愛國者中一個普遍的革命人名。它在諷刺地暗示川普對美國的治理不當實際上是在鞏固習近平的政權。」

裡面也提到，川普在任的幾年，國家更分裂，對於氣候變遷，傳統美國盟友，乃至於疫情處理等都相當拙劣，對於美國傳統的自由貿易、人權等價值也基本上都沒有太大興趣。這些方針，導致美國在世界的評價降低，波頓的新書也多有描述。

除此之外，許多不幸相信中共宣傳，又或者是中共圈養的小粉紅，特別故意愛宣傳川普增強中國的威望。

但這不是真的。

中共完全沒有掌握美國做得不夠好的地方，去增強其在世界的領導力。

在2016年時，秘魯的亞太峰會舉行期間，習近平政權爭取（RCEP）及亞太自由貿易區（FTAAP）談判；對比2017年初，美國剛宣布退出ＴＰＰ，加上中國到「一帶一路」和亞洲基礎設施投資銀行，中國當時在世界全面發揮投資貿易、高科技併購還有其地緣戰略的影響力。

也是那個時候，各種的大國崛起、大國軍工、大國科技的宣傳影片此起彼落，似乎正準備要在世界舞台發光發熱。

這曾經是中共慢慢轉向的一個機會之窗。彼時（2017)美國盟友對美國總統的不信任度達到歷史新高，根據皮尤研究中心的資訊，英國對於美國總統的不信任度達到75%、日本72% 澳洲70% 法國更高達86%

如果那時中共開始有限度的改革，對內放寬言論自由，或者至少維持在胡溫當時的水中，對外追求有責任的基礎建設，逐步緩慢減低不公平的貿易壁壘，對於國有企業改革，增強私營企業、新創企業的活力。

停止對新疆迫害，不干預香港自治，不僅國際形象會大幅改善，哪怕是緩慢但是穩健的改革，也會讓大量吸引外資，讓中國的活力持續前進。

哪怕是什麼都不做也好

那或許有這麽一點可能性，中國「夢」是可以前行的

但是歷史機緣的大門已經關上。

習、禁、停、放棄了這個機會之窗，徹底的走向相反的方向。

更專制、更沒有彈性，更沒有任何制衡的力量。各種戰狼外交，讓瑞典議員提案驅逐中國大使，捷克布拉格市長與台北簽訂姊妹是，就解散上海與該市關係、被美國關閉領事館、各種讓中國形象低下的事情，中共都沒有少做。

中共不但完全沒有辦法取代美國，在多重國內外的衝擊之下，又是瘟疫，又是超大水患，緊接著蝗害，還有進來的糧食不足問題，正在面臨巨大的瓶頸。

而糧食的命脈，卻恰恰又在對他最不信任，對中共價值最反對的國家聯盟

根據皮尤研究中心:Pew Research Center2019調查各國對中國的喜好度，美國、阿根廷、英國、加拿大、德國、烏克蘭等，對於中國的喜好度都在30%上下

而2020疫情後美國對於中國的不信任度，更高達73%。

最近中共在演習，又要玩轉移目標的手段，對於中共，其實不必再有民族主義的同情，因為新的世紀，價值、商業模式、公平競爭的制度大於血緣幻想。

中國離我們只有130公里的距離，我們當然歡迎對話，避免誤判。但我們同時也區分中共與中國，歡迎對話，但不在前提、條件、恐懼之下對話。

如果真的要有前提，那就是對等、尊重，還有公平公開法治的方式會晤。

資料來源：皮尤研究中心:Pew Research Center
（美國著名的民調機構和智庫機構，https://www.pewresearch.org/）

【一人一信救香港 向特朗普發信反港版國安法】

北京強推「#港版國安法」，香港即將自治全失。《蘋果》現誠邀你花幾分鐘時間，積極尋求國際社會關注。請用以下方法向美國總統特朗普表達訴求，為香港出一分力！ #TrumpSavesHK

【三大方法向特朗普表達訴求】
詳見教學請按👉：https://bit.ly/3c3PUr6

❶ Twitter｜https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump
撰寫推文，並上載請願書附圖，標籤 #TrumpSavesHK 和 @realDonaldTrump，集眾香港人之力登上Trending（流行趨勢）榜；
或到特朗普Twitter帳戶，在其與香港有關的推文留言並上載請願書附圖
❷ Facebook｜ Donald J. Trump
複製以下請願書並到特朗普FB專頁留言
❸ 白宮聯署｜http://j.mp/trumpsaveshk
網上簽署白宮聯署（須填寫電郵地址並確認核實）

፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨

Dear Mr. President,

Hong Kong has been through quite a bit since the 1997 handover. Even so, we have largely managed to keep our basic freedoms and liberties intact.

The future of Hong Kong changed dramatically with the May 21st announcement by the Chinese Communist Party that the National People’s Congress (NPC) will bypass the Hong Kong legislative process, as laid out in the Sino-British Joint Declaration, and will impose new laws from Beijing covering political and national security matters. Our struggle has changed accordingly.

China’s Communist Party is now canceling Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and inserting Communist Party rule over Hong Kong. They have made their clear intent is to destroy Hong Kong’s most valuable asset, the rule of law.

Only through international pressure will the Chinese Communist Party ever reconsider this disastrous course of action. Without that pressure—and the active insistence of the United States—Hong Kong will change from a city operating under the “rule of law” to one operating under Beijing’s “rule by law.” This would be a tremendous loss for the world, including the United States, which has a tremendous investment in our city.

In Hong Kong today you are already respected as one of the few world leaders willing to confront China’s bad behavior. We now need both your public support and the diplomatic efforts of the United States to help keep our city a center of international trade and home for freedom.

Mr. President, please help us.

Thank you and God bless.

፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨

（中文譯本）

親愛的總統先生︰

香港自1997年主權移交以來經歷風風雨雨，儘管如此，我們大致能保有我們的基本自由和自主無缺。

隨着中國共產黨全國人民代表大會5月21日宣佈，將繞過《中英聯合聲明》所規定的香港立法程序，由北京強加新例涵蓋政治及國家安全事務，香港的未來就發生了急劇轉變，我們的鬥爭也隨之轉變。

中國共產黨現在撤銷了香港的高度自治，共產黨插手管治香港，他們清楚表明了要摧毀香港最寶貴的資產︰法治。

只有透過國際壓力，才能令中國共產黨對這項災難性的行動三思。沒有國際壓力、沒有美國的積極堅持，香港將會由一個在「法治」下運作的城市，變為在北京「法治」下運作的城市。這將會是全球的巨大損失，包括美國，美國在我城有巨大投資。

今日的香港，總統先生你已獲公認為世上少有敢於對抗中國惡行的領導者，現在我們既需要你的公開支持，也需要美國的外交努力，幫助我們城市保持國際貿易中心和自由之都的地位。

總統先生，請幫助我們。

感謝。願主保佑。

፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨

【一人一信救香港 向特朗普發信反港版國安法】

北京強推「#港版國安法」，香港即將自治全失。《蘋果》現誠邀你花幾分鐘時間，積極尋求國際社會關注。請用以下方法向美國總統特朗普表達訴求，為香港出一分力！ #TrumpSavesHK

【三大方法向特朗普表達訴求】
詳見教學請按👉：https://bit.ly/3c3PUr6

❶ Twitter｜https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump
撰寫推文，並上載請願書附圖，標籤 #TrumpSavesHK 和 @realDonaldTrump，集眾香港人之力登上Trending（流行趨勢）榜；
或到特朗普Twitter帳戶，在其與香港有關的推文留言並上載請願書附圖
❷ Facebook｜ Donald J. Trump
複製以下請願書並到特朗普FB專頁留言
❸ 白宮聯署｜http://j.mp/trumpsaveshk
網上簽署白宮聯署（須填寫電郵地址並確認核實）

፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨

Dear Mr. President,

Hong Kong has been through quite a bit since the 1997 handover. Even so, we have largely managed to keep our basic freedoms and liberties intact.

The future of Hong Kong changed dramatically with the May 21st announcement by the Chinese Communist Party that the National People’s Congress (NPC) will bypass the Hong Kong legislative process, as laid out in the Sino-British Joint Declaration, and will impose new laws from Beijing covering political and national security matters. Our struggle has changed accordingly.

China’s Communist Party is now canceling Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and inserting Communist Party rule over Hong Kong. They have made their clear intent is to destroy Hong Kong’s most valuable asset, the rule of law.

Only through international pressure will the Chinese Communist Party ever reconsider this disastrous course of action. Without that pressure—and the active insistence of the United States—Hong Kong will change from a city operating under the “rule of law” to one operating under Beijing’s “rule by law.” This would be a tremendous loss for the world, including the United States, which has a tremendous investment in our city.

In Hong Kong today you are already respected as one of the few world leaders willing to confront China’s bad behavior. We now need both your public support and the diplomatic efforts of the United States to help keep our city a center of international trade and home for freedom.

Mr. President, please help us.

Thank you and God bless.

፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨

（中文譯本）

親愛的總統先生︰

香港自1997年主權移交以來經歷風風雨雨，儘管如此，我們大致能保有我們的基本自由和自主無缺。

隨着中國共產黨全國人民代表大會5月21日宣佈，將繞過《中英聯合聲明》所規定的香港立法程序，由北京強加新例涵蓋政治及國家安全事務，香港的未來就發生了急劇轉變，我們的鬥爭也隨之轉變。

中國共產黨現在撤銷了香港的高度自治，共產黨插手管治香港，他們清楚表明了要摧毀香港最寶貴的資產︰法治。

只有透過國際壓力，才能令中國共產黨對這項災難性的行動三思。沒有國際壓力、沒有美國的積極堅持，香港將會由一個在「法治」下運作的城市，變為在北京「法治」下運作的城市。這將會是全球的巨大損失，包括美國，美國在我城有巨大投資。

今日的香港，總統先生你已獲公認為世上少有敢於對抗中國惡行的領導者，現在我們既需要你的公開支持，也需要美國的外交努力，幫助我們城市保持國際貿易中心和自由之都的地位。

總統先生，請幫助我們。

感謝。願主保佑。

፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨ ፨

【Voice Will Guide You】Coldplay - Fix You ( A Cappella Cover )

用歌聲幫台東加油。找找我在哪裡:)
八月，台東見！

【Voice Will Guide You】Coldplay - Fix You

感謝每位貢獻出一己之聲的參與者，聲援臺東計劃影片釋出！

7月8日，尼伯特颱風帶來了臺東人記憶中最嚴重的一次災害，市區街道無一倖免，農業交通、商家、民宅乃至很多學校機構都受到了重創。為此，Vocal Asia Festival 集結了來自世界各地阿卡人的聲音，為臺東地區那些需要幫助的人或是正伸出援手幫忙的人加油打氣。讓歌聲帶領大家前往一個寧靜祥和的地方。

聽了撫慰人心的阿卡貝拉大合唱，是否您也深受感動呢？如果您也願意付出心意、貢獻力量，您可以參與"無限延聲計畫"，提供贊助傳遞音樂力量到偏鄉和臺東，捐助款項將給到臺東在地醫院，幫助當地災後的重建與復原。回饋項目包含8/13「無限延聲」公益音樂會免費入場卷以及公益明信片，欣賞古巴人聲天團 Vocal Sampling 帶來的精彩演出。詳情請至 Red Turtle 公益募資平台查看 http://www.redturtle.cc/project.php?action=detail&pid=322

"Voice Will Guide You" Special Project - Coldplay - Fix You

On July 8, Taitung was struck by the most disastrous typhoon in its history. It was a night of horror with strong wind and heavy rain, and the next morning the entire city faced tremendous damage. As Vocal Asia Festival approaches, we gathered the voices from around the world, hoping to encourage those who need help, and those who came to help. Let our voices guide you, and all of us, to a peaceful place.

Thanks for all the participants who sing and pray with LOVE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf6kwv4GH18
http://vaf.vocalasia.com/special-project

“Fix You”written by Coldplay

編曲 Arranger : Lorenzo Subrizi
剪接師 Editor : Tom
混音師 Mixing Engineer : 子龍 Dzih Long
文案韓文翻譯 Korean Translator : Rokmi Lee
歌詞中文翻譯 Chinese Translator : Catherine Liu

Presented by Vocal Asia