I think not being able to procure n95 masks because mask production was all off-shored, particularly to China, was a real wake up call that supply chain security is integral to national security.
Ukraine was the moment that showed that: "No two countries that both have a McDonald's have ever fought a war against each other." is a false idea.
Hong Kong made it clear that the idea of increasing prosperity in China will not lead to it's liberalization, nor can China be relied upon to be bound by documents that are "historical documents that no longer have any practical significance."
> Hong Kong made it clear that the idea of increasing prosperity in China will not lead to it's liberalization, nor can China be relied upon to be bound by documents that are "historical documents that no longer have any practical significance."
This is a great point, it is underestimated I think in how what happened in Hong Kong impacted perceptions of China. Was the first clearcut example that once China was in they would not respect prior agreements (like around having 2 systems in Hong Kong) which led to a wake up call for what letting China have a big political role in your society would mean.
Ukraine was the moment that showed that: "No two countries that both have a McDonald's have ever fought a war against each other." is a false idea.
Hong Kong made it clear that the idea of increasing prosperity in China will not lead to it's liberalization, nor can China be relied upon to be bound by documents that are "historical documents that no longer have any practical significance."