#1406 - Family Affairs and World Affairs

Currently, the most important major power relationships for China are with the United States, Russia, and Europe!

The United States, one of the main founders of the Yalta system, the biggest winner of World War I and World War II, replaced Britain as the maritime hegemon. Since World War II, it has been the most powerful country in the world, the global hegemon, the world's largest economy, and the main shaper and beneficiary of the current international order.

Russia, the largest inheritor of the Soviet Union's legacy, inherited three-quarters of the Soviet Union's territory, about 80% of the Soviet Union's conventional armed forces, and almost all of its nuclear strike capabilities. This included over 3 million military personnel and a large number of tanks, aircraft, warships, and other equipment. Especially in terms of nuclear weapons, Russia inherited almost all of the Soviet Union's nuclear weapons and strategic bombers.

In terms of economic resources, Russia inherited about 70% of the Soviet Union's economic resources, including a large number of industrial facilities, natural resources, and technological heritage. These resources provided Russia with a strong economic foundation, enabling it to maintain an important position on the international stage.

In terms of international status, Russia inherited the Soviet Union's permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, as well as its representation in other international organizations. This inheritance of international status allows Russia to play an important role in international affairs.

Both the United States and Russia are among the few countries in the world that possess independent sovereignty. They also have strong military forces and play a crucial role in international affairs.

Europe, here referring to the entire continent as a whole, because today's Europe is no longer the Europe of the pre-World War II great powers. A single European country, whether it is Britain, France, or Germany, is in fact far from being comparable to the top three permanent members of the UN Security Council. Only the entirety of Europe can become an important pole in the international community.

However, the reality is that after so many years, Europe still has not achieved regional integration. The path towards European integration has been fraught with setbacks, with frequent conflicts and each European country pursuing its own agenda. The United States and Britain's stirring up trouble in Europe has made European integration even more difficult, and it has even faced the huge crisis of dissolution on several occasions.

Even now, the European debt crisis continues to plague many European countries. These European countries even resent France and Germany, believing that they are using the European Union to deceive and bully them, and this resentment is growing.

Right-wing forces in Europe are constantly increasing. For example, in France, the right wing in last year's general election approached 40% of the vote. If the neutral and left-wing camps had not united, the right wing would have inevitably taken over the highest power in France. But now, countries are worried that in the next French election, the right wing may defeat all parties and win the election.

In European countries such as Italy and Spain, right-wing forces are constantly growing.

If right-wing forces really dominate European countries, then the entire European integration process may come to an abrupt end, and even the European Union may collapse.

But no matter what, Europe still plays a pivotal role.

China's largest trading partner is the United States, and the United States is also China's largest source of trade surplus. In the past, China had a trade deficit with the United States, but later, China gradually developed a trade surplus with the United States, and this trade surplus continued to expand. China is now the United States' largest trade deficit country.

China's second largest trading partner is the European Union, and the European Union is also China's second largest source of trade surplus. This trade surplus is constantly expanding, even though the number of Chinese tourists visiting Europe every year is constantly increasing, and Chinese tourists bring considerable tourism revenue to European countries, it has not changed this trade surplus. On the contrary, as Europe's industrialization is constantly being crushed and its products lack competitiveness, the expansion of this trade surplus is constantly increasing.

As for China's trade with Russia, it has been in a trade deficit for many years. Similarly, China also maintains a trade deficit with energy powers such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar.

In 2008, during the Russo-Georgian War, Russia decisively struck to maintain the strategic security of its hinterland. Although Georgia has been making trouble from time to time in recent years, it has never been like it was in 2008. The surrounding countries, also deterred by the Russo-Georgian War, have not jumped up and down again.

During the 'Arab Spring,' the United States intended to take Libya, holding high the banner of democracy and freedom, to overthrow Gaddafi, thereby controlling North Africa, the most important oil and gas producing country, and further controlling Europe's energy. For its own strategy, Russia resolutely chose to enter the game and engage in a proxy war with the United States in Libya on a manageable scale.

Faced with the support of France, Germany, Russia, and Arab countries, the United States has been unable to open up the situation in Libya for a long time. As the leader of the West, the United States has the ability to project huge power in Ukraine, an advantage that China does not possess.

In the final analysis, China's foundation is still too weak.

The increase in foundation cannot be completed overnight.

Major power games use the world as a chessboard and many countries and regions as chess pieces. There are only a handful of people who can be chess players. How many cards a chess player has to play depends on their respective foundations.

As for the chess pieces, their fate is not something they can control at all.

Backwardness invites aggression, which has already been proven. The essence of the world is still the survival of the fittest, and it will not change because of the wishful thinking of some bleeding hearts.

These people often believe in the American way, but it is precisely the United States that is destroying it.

Since World War II, the wars launched by the United States have simply run through the entire history of world wars.

Almost every war is launched by the United States or instigated by the United States behind the scenes.

Unfortunately, like Americans like to play double standards, these people also like to play double standards, and then they are completely unaware of it.

On this day, Liu Tao was watching the live broadcast of the launch of the Shenzhou spacecraft with his wife in front of the TV.

The reason why he specifically watched this live broadcast was because Liu Yingqing, as an astronaut, was performing this manned space mission of the Shenzhou spacecraft.

Although, by now, China's Shenzhou spacecraft is very mature, and the launch of carrier rockets is also a mature technology with a very high probability of success and a very low probability of failure, the two are still full of worry.

Because once it fails, it means certain death, and often even the remains cannot be found.

At this time, the four astronauts are taking an oath before their expedition. Every astronaut who dares to advance into space is a hero.

To this day, China has only had twenty-eight astronauts enter space.

This Shenzhou spacecraft is led by two veterans and two newcomers. Liu Yang and Nie Haisheng, two experienced astronauts, lead Liu Yingqing and Huang Tao, two new astronauts. Among them, Huang Tao is a professor from Beihang University.

After the oath ceremony, the astronauts boarded the bus and set off for the launch site, and then, witnessed by everyone, entered the Shenzhou spacecraft.

The carrier rocket stood tall, waiting for launch.

Finally, all preparations were completed, and it was time for ignition and launch.

This Shenzhou manned spaceflight, in addition to sending four astronauts into space, will also carry out the rendezvous and docking of the spacecraft with the space station. The four astronauts will enter the space station and perform three months of duty in the space station, and carry out a series of space experiments.

Liu Tao silently prayed in his heart, praying for the successful completion of this manned space mission and for his daughter to return safely.

If something really happened in space, even he would have no way to do it, no way to bring people back.

On Earth, Liu Tao can do most things, but in space, there is really no way.

The rocket ignited and launched, and the rocket made a powerful roar, carrying the Shenzhou spacecraft towards outer space.

There were no mishaps, and the carrier rocket successfully sent the Shenzhou spacecraft into its predetermined orbit. Next was to change orbit and rendezvous and dock with the space station.

"Alas, why would Yingqing want to be an astronaut? If something happens, there won't even be any remains," Zhu Lin sighed. Over sixty years old, Zhu Lin also has many wrinkles on her face.

Even if she was stunningly beautiful when she was young, she can't resist the erosion of time after all. Even beauties have a day when they grow old.

It's just that she belongs to elegant aging. Even now, people can tell at a glance how stunning she was when she was young.

She officially went through retirement procedures a few years ago. In her retirement life, she either dances, or volunteers in the cafeteria, or goes to concerts and listens to lectures by scholars.

Zhu Lin is very opposed to Liu Yingqing's choice to become an astronaut after retiring from the military.

Liu Tao said, "As the saying goes, children are beyond their mother's control when they grow up. Let her go and let her do what she likes to do."

"It's just that you spoil her too much, making her not in a hurry to find a partner even now," Zhu Lin said unhappily, and began to complain about Liu Tao.

Liu Tao couldn't help but feel his scalp tingle when he heard this, and his heart was full of helplessness.

Raise sons poorly, raise daughters richly.

For his daughter, he has always been very doting, which is an indisputable fact.

But now, as a father, he is also beginning to worry about his child's lifelong affairs.

It's just that the child has grown up and has her own ideas, so what can he do?

As for political marriages, that is what he is unwilling to do, and there is no need to do so.

Now that he is in his current position, there is no need to do such things.

After watching the live broadcast, the two ate dinner together at home and then went out for a walk.

Even now, the park here is still not open to the public, and is used by internal employees.

When Liu Tao is at home, he always goes out for a walk after dinner.

In the park, the two met Chen Weimin and Liu Honglei, a couple.

Everyone walked together, talking and laughing. This has often happened in the past few years.

Since Chen Weimin was transferred back to Kun City, the two families have been in very frequent contact.

Especially since Liu Honglei also went through retirement procedures a few years ago and officially retired, she is often with Zhu Lin.

They even write books separately, but the books have not been finished yet.

Liu Honglei talked about the marriage of her youngest daughter 'Chen Weiying', hoping that Liu Tao, as her uncle, could attend.

The tradition of China is that maternal uncles are close. Among relatives, the relationship with the maternal uncle's family is the closest, and there are more interactions. A very important reason is that the maternal uncle's family can come forward to protect the rights and interests of daughters in important matters such as property inheritance, elderly care, and treatment of daughters-in-law.

Liu Honglei knows that their family can be where it is today mainly because they have Liu Tao as a backer. Liu Tao is not only her biggest backer, but also her children's biggest backer.

As long as Liu Tao is there, her children will be protected.

"When is Weiying's wedding scheduled for, and where will it be held?" Liu Tao asked. As long as he has time, he will attend whatever he can.

If there is a conflict, there is no way, and his wife will come forward.

Chen Weiying studied international relations for her undergraduate degree, and later studied at Southwest Associated University, obtained a doctorate in international relations from Southwest Associated University, and then stayed at Southwest Associated University, and is now an associate professor of international relations at Southwest Associated University.

"The first day of the third lunar month. This day is suitable for betrothal, marriage, and travel. It is the most in line with their birth dates," Liu Honglei said.

Liu Tao nodded and said, "Okay, I will attend Weiying's wedding then."

Liu Tao calculated that it was the time of his vacation, so he could attend.

All along, the time he takes off each year is considered relatively long. In addition to the Panshan Group, the main job he is responsible for is China's science and technology field.

Then, he will also participate in some foreign-related aspects.

Liu Honglei was very happy to hear this.

Chen Weiying's partner is a physicist from Southwest Associated University, three years older than her, and an associate professor at Southwest Associated University. Liu Honglei and Chen Weimin have no objection to this.

The four children are considered to be relatively promising, which makes them very gratified.

As for whether to engage in politics, join the army, or do other things, they do not force it and leave it to the children to choose.

Zhu Lin inevitably talked about her troubles. Her current trouble is the marriage of her children, but she feels helpless in this regard.

Liu Honglei could only comfort Zhu Lin, telling Zhu Lin to look at it openly. Fate is something that cannot be forced. And when fate arrives, it cannot be stopped. Liu Honglei also cited Liu Ziyu as an example. In the past, no matter how anxious everyone was about Liu Ziyu, it was useless, but when fate arrived, her lifelong affairs were resolved, and now she has a son and a daughter.

Then, I don't know what happened, Liu Honglei and Zhu Lin began to complain about Liu Tao, saying that Liu Tao was too doting, which led to these things happening, otherwise it would not be like this.

Especially regarding the children's career choices, Zhu Lin now feels that being a professional athlete is not a good thing. They spend a lot of time in competitions and preparing for competitions, and they don't really have much time to rest and vacation, and they also have injuries.

Instead, Zhu Lin feels that going to the military, engaging in politics, or teaching at a university are good choices. (End of this chapter)