The nazi Germany had millions of citizens too, just like you and me. People who wanted to live a happy and fulfilling life.

We're not talking about bombing them. We're talking about economic boycott and economic sanctions.

What else do you have in mind? How do we act against countries that commit crimes against humanity? Do we just stand and watch because they have millions of good citizens?

Economic sanctions should be directed at leaders. I don't see much use in random people boycotting random things from China, having much effect on the leaders.

I guess it may have effect if you tell your favorite seller on Aliexpress, that sorry, I will not be buying anymore stuff from you, because XYZ. But just stopping, means nothing. Sends no discernible signal to the other side, and just increases economic suffering, which while it can lead to revolutions, only probably when it hits some extreme level. Just look at Syria, massive sanctions, people can barely eat, currency is spiraling to hyperinflation, and they still have not toppled the corrupt asshole in charge. And I doubt having to spend half a day just figuring out how to get something to eat helps in any way. In fact corrupt asshole in charge is using the sanctions, to rally his supporters.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/syria-s-assad-say...

And that's the ideal case of a country west doesn't really need anything from and can boycott/sanction at will.

Sanctions against leaders don't work if they don't have their assets in the west. Chinese officials wouldn't give a fuck about it.

And besides that, we're in an economic against them. Actually, they are in an economic war against us. We can't do business in their country freely but they can make their own companies here or buy the ones we already have with the money they are making from manufacturing our stuff. Nope.

> What else do you have in mind?

Clearly government is involved. When did a government of somewhere last express their displeasure at China's government for this? If they've done it, they must have buried the news. If you don't think a public rebuke will help anything, what do you propose?

If you don't think that it will help, don't do the wrong thing for the right reason. That will only clear your own conscience.

Let's not do things that harm the wrong people. Is not buying a toy from China really going to help anything? You'll put some toy guy out of business, but is he gonna lobby government to stop the prison camps?

> There's a billion people there, and most of them have nothing to do with the government.

Because that billion people there is the only one who can change the government.

Are you quite aware of how much blood is spilled when China goes through political turmoil? Aside from the world wars, a huge chunk of the top 10 bloodiest conflicts in history are Chinese internal conflicts.

You're asking people who understand very well that standing up for a new government is going to be extremely costly.

In the meantime, you want to deprive them of work.

Ever wonder how those two things are connected?

Do you have a source for the ten bloodiest conflicts? Not saying you’re wrong just curious. Tiananmen Square and maybe some cultural revolution moments come to mind. But I also haven’t studied much Chinese history, which is why I’m curious.

Thank you!

Sure, so let them just continue to commit atrocities.

Why won't 350 million American citizens do something about their own government first, before engaging in moral grandstanding in respect to other countries? No, this doesn't mean just getting rid of Trump - the entire political spectrum is complicit in millions of deaths every decade.

US calls itself a "Democracy", so you're supposed to be more empowered to make a change than an average Chinese citizen.

You're asking a very tricky "what if" question and implying a better result without evidence.

There are only 3 countries with the potential to become superpowers in the modern age -- USA, Russia, and China. Hegemony by one of the three is inevitable.

It is up to YOU to provide proof that Russia or China would be better choices.

President Roosevelt said "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." The US foreign policy has gone very far with that idea. A large military then economic pressure is what led to the collapse of the USSR. The same tactic has kept North Korea, Iran, and other despotic countries at bay for decades.

Today, Trump and Biden both have endorsed a similar approach to China. Build up the military presence around China and pile on economic pressure until they collapse (trying to walk the fine line to avoid war).

Unlike the US, China and Russia/USSR have killed tens to hundreds of millions of their own people. Do you really think there would be fewer deaths if China or Russia were the dominant power? If they're willing to kill their own so casually, they're going to be even more barbaric with foreigners.

I'd ask again, do you have any proof that the alternatives are better?

I'm not american.