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International News Networks / Re: Telegraph Union of Huaxia
« on: August 29, 2020, 10:56:36 AM »TELEGRAPH UNION OF HUAXIA
Protests gather Illumic Channel and Mhorish Sea as fear rises over fishing rights
Various local unions throughout the country today have taken to the streets in what they call "The March to the Sea" in an effort to demand a stronger response from the Congress of Trade to address concerns over coastal fishing rights. Local leaders have called for peace and a return to work in hopes to quell the protests as more formal discussions can be held, however after nearly a year of stalled negotiation and even sidelined legislation in the Congress have resulted in tensions reaching a breaking point along the northern coast of the nation.
Huaxia, long prided on its unique form of governance is moderately well known in the international community. Modern governments and the costly nature of war has given the young government time to properly establish itself within the last few decades, as well as properly establish and enforce its territorial rights internationally; mostly due to its shared cultural heritage and identity. However, in recent years with the rise of global trade and ever growing private enterprises from neighboring regions, said territorial integrity is becoming harder and harder to enforce. Strike organizers claim the problem falls with the government, an intrinsic problem not considered at the time of the countries radical reformation. While it is easy to maintain trustful relations with neighboring nations, it is much harder to do so with companies and other private enterprises. To make matters worse, the Huaxian 'navy' exists mostly in name alone—relying instead on provincial militias to produce, regulate, and maintain small naval forces to guard their coastlines. A safeguard against a strong militarist state perhaps, but one that finds itself incapable of dealing with illegal fishing and shrimping off the coastline. Larger vessels tend to outrun any militia one, and as you travel farther from the shore the dangers of the open ocean begin to challenge even the most sturdy of vessels the officials own.
"It's just bullshit man. Look, I get it. You won't find a more understanding people than those at this strike right now. We're patriots, we love our country but we think this whole thing is inherently flawed. No navy so to speak? We know it exists, they have posters every now and then on government owned buildings advertising service but where are they now? I have a family to feed, and this overfishing is getting ridiculous. Hell, it isn't even JUST the fishing anymore—You know they actually hook up hoses to the side of their larger ships? They drive us off if we get too close and contest the water!" - Huaxian Striker
Local vessels being sprayed as patrol boats attempt to force a retreat
Officials from surrounding Unions have expressed their sympathies for the strikers, with many wishing a quick end to the strikes and swift congressional intervention to ensure their livelihoods are protected. Some have even planned solidarity protests for early next month.
The Telegraph contacted the Office of the President for any official word, however at this time nothing was given. Other representatives at the Congress were however available for comment:
"It's a troubling issue." Says Li Daoshu, Union Representative for Huaxia's steel industry. "On one hand, the lack of a centralized military is a cornerstone of our democracy. We weren't deaf to the rise of other leftist nations in the past, and how their radicalism lead them to authoritarianism with the jackboot of the military to enforce their demands. But we also are completely aware that even an apolitical military like that in some of Mundus' first world have their problems. A large military tends to make one a strategic threat, whether it intends to be or not. 'Optimistic Pacifism' isn't exactly the word I'd use to describe it, but it is how we see ourselves. We're hopeful for all things to resolve peacefully when it comes to our national security, and for awhile it seems to have been working. But right now we are faced with a difficult decision with an enemy that reminds us of our past. Corporate interests are dangerous interests, and while we know our enemy it is much harder to fight them when they are not actively in our streets."
Not all representatives feel the same however, Shi Zhao (Rep. Wool) disagrees fundamentally. "I'm not anti-strike, to think that is even remotely the case after the yellow tongue scare earlier this summer is absolutely childish. No, but I am anti-reform. What we have WORKS, and it works for a reason. It may not affect everyone equally but the type of reform and action they are asking for is a universal threat to our way of life. If we give the military an inch, even a little bit of political breathing room, we'll have them breathing down our necks in no time. I believe in worker rights, but I do not think anyone who volunteers to serve our nation deserves to be represented in the Union, and that is exactly what will happen if we nationalize the militias as these so called 'Protestors' are calling for. We should seek communication channel with foreign companies to ensure our territorial sovereignty is respected. If that means asking for foreign assistance in wrangling in their cabal of corporate pigs then so be it! All the better for it if you ask me.
For now it seems the tensions will remain heated as Congress isn't slated for any session in the near future. The end of the year is quickly closing in, and while we are still months away from 2021 the course of the nation through the year will be the topic for debate in the coming Congressional meeting later this month and many are banking on the strikes to subside by then.