ASIAN BLOC
And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
—Rev. 16:12
ORIENTAL FORCES WILL INVADE THE MIDDLE EAST AT THE END TIMES. THE EMERGENCE OF ASIAN NATIONS AS GROWING WORLD POWERS IS SEEN BELOW
306 China’s Area And Population
China occupies a huge area of the globe—3.7 million square miles—slightly larger than the United States. She is also the world’s largest nation, with over 800 million people, or four times the population of the US. By the year 2000, an estimated 1 out of 3 people in the world will be Chinese.
307 The “Overseas” Chinese
In addition, there are 22 million Chinese living along the periphery of China, largely in the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Fortune magazine called this “the most powerful economic force in Asia, second only to Japan.” And Japan has 100 million people.
These overseas Chinese are (1) well educated, generally energetic, capable, and (2) wealthy as a group, controlling a large portion of economies of the countries where they live.
308 “A Second Persian Gulf”
Newsweek magazine said in 1975 that within two decades, China will take its place in the rank of the world’s oil giant, matching the output of Saudi Arabia now.
The US-China Business Review placed China’s mainland oil reserves at 30,000 million tons, with off-shore reserves an additional 20,000 million tons. This exceeds the entire known reserves of the Middle East—an estimated 54,000 million metric tons.
According to the United Press International, China oil production by 1990 might exceed 450 million tons, making her one of the 5 major oil producing nations (along with Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United States and the Soviet Union).
There seems every reason to conclude that the unlikely sheiks of Peking will soon take their places among the world’s petroleum giants.
309 Chinese Intercontinental Missiles
The Chinese exploded their first atomic device in 1964. Since then, they have test fired 13 nuclear warhead and built a rocket booster that has launched 5 satellites into orbit around the earth.
By the end of this decade, Peking is expected to have 10 to 30 true intercontinental missiles.
310 Phenomenal Growth Of Japan
In some 15 years time, Japan’s growth has been explosive. She went from $24 billion in total spending in 1955 to an estimated $375 billion in 1975. She leads the world in shipbuilding and is expected to surpass both the United States and Russia in steel output. Japan’s growth rate has averaged about three times that of the US.
311 Southeast Asian Alliance
The ASEAN nations is an alliance of 5 Southeast Asian nations: Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Except Burma and the Indochinese states, these are all the nations in Southeast Asia. The previously organized SEATO—composed of Philip pines, Thailand, Pakistan, the USA, Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand—has been scrapped.
The first ASEAN summit was held in Bali in 1976. The second was held in Kuala Lumpur in 1977. ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) was organized for economic cooperation and unity.
312 Japan In The Middle East
In January 21, 1977, Japan signed an accord with Iraq to provide the latter with $1 billion in credit in exchange for a steady supply of Iraq oil. The funds would be used to help Iraq develop industrial projects.
313 India’s Population
India, with 500 million people, is second in population among the nations of the world. She has also exploded the atomic bomb and is considered a nuclear power.
314 Military Bounty In Vietnam
The vast amount of American supplies left in Vietnam when the US pulled out in 1973 is valued at $5 billion by the Pentagon. Counting military losses and deterioration, perhaps some $2 billion worth remained in serviceable condition.
Nearly 1,000 aircraft were left, including 72 F-5s and A-37 jets—more than the combined airforces of all other countries in Southeast Asia. Enough ships stayed to make the Vietnamese navy second numerically only to China in the Far East.
In addition, the Vietnamese military picked up 1.6 million rifles, 550 tanks, 1,200 armored personnel carriers, 1,330 artillery pieces, 42,000 trucks, and 130,000 tons of ammunication.
315 The Sino-Soviet Border
Bible revelation places the kings of the east separated from the king of the north. And this exists today.
The Sino-Soviet border is guarded by a total of 1.7 million troops. This 4,000-mile border between China and Russia is considered the most militarized in the world today. Here are stationed Soviet atomic missiles and over 30 specially constructed airfields.
After over ten years of talks (1969–1980) following the border clashes along the Ussuri River, both sides have failed to end the hatred and rivalry.
316 Peking’s Biggest Worry
The Chinese First Deputy Premier Teng Hsiao-ping, at the 1974 Elysee Presidential Palace Banquet, indicated that Peking leaders are so worried about Russia that it is not opposed to continued US military presence in Asia and Europe. In his toast, he urged the Europeans to strengthen their guard against the Soviets and promised Chinese help to safeguard Europe’s independence.
—United Press International
317 First Time In The UN
For nearly two decades, the Chinese and Soviets have torn at each other. In 1971, for the first time in the General Assembly of the United Nations, China’s chief delegate Chiao Kuan-hua, his voice rising with emotion, made a blunt accusation:
“If the Soviet government truly has the desire for disarmament, the Soviet representative should solemnly declare that at no time and in no circumstances will the Soviet Union be the first to use nuclear weapons, and that it will dismantle all nuclear bases and withdraw all nuclear weapons … ”
Continuing to point at Soviet Ambassador Yakov Malik, Chiao said: “If you are man enough, you will do it. But if you have a guilty conscience and an unjust cause you will not dare to do so … Is this not true? Please reply!”
Malik quickly rose to his feet and accused the Chinese of “class betrayal.”
—Time