The White Rider - 03/12/2098

The National People's Congress put on a Two-Year Recess after President Argues with members of the Right-Wing KMT

On the 9th, in a state bunker, the National People's Congress argued. Tian Yuqing, leader of the CCP, brought a proposal to increase funding for scientific research and the continued development of improved 3D printers. He, the CCP, and the left-wing faction of the KMT led by President Li Shimin supported the motion while the Democratic Progressive Party and the right-wing faction of the KMT vehemently opposed the motion. The cost was seen by some as burdensome during this chaotic time, while most agreed that this would be a most profitable endeavour.

Tian Yuqing

Despite being in the majority, the minor Democratic Progressive Party and right-wing KMT, which has grown unpopular over the years due to President Li Shimin's so far prosperous rule, were able to prevent the motion from passing due to the National People's Congress requiring a 2/3 majority in the house for a motion to pass. Growing frustrated and harkening back to his days as a warlord, the President drew a pistol. As he had restored the Republic and organised the military around his clique with a strong emphasis on disciplined and ideological training to prevent the army from being bribed by enemies, the armed guards did nothing to oppose him. Instead, being used to this, they simply looked away.

Comedic image based on foreign "Memes" that recently went viral amongst netizens

The President, so flustered that veins on his head were popping, beat Tian Yuqing in the head with the barrel of his gun until it was completely red with blood. Sensing the rising tension and fear in the room, he declared that the National People's Congress was on recess. He did not say for how long, nor anything else for the matter. Everyone simply left, while Tian Yuqing breathed heavily. The guards ignored him as he tried to use his elbows to stand up and then fell flat on his face and lied face down for the next hour and a half. A few days later, he announced on a groupchat which he had put the National People's Congress on that the recess would last two years. Though he had by then calmed, not one man dared to say a thing besides "Okay."

President Li Shimin

The Republic of China Declares the Paocai Dish to have the Status of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Paocai refers to vegetables that are pickled, specifically fermented in brine, in Chinese. The Chinese dish has 11 varieties and can be made using Chinese cabbage, cabbage, radish, mustard stems, long beans, peppers, daikon, carrots, and ginger which are placed into spices into a seasoned brine and kept shut and is widely used as side dishes, appetizer, and condiments because of its crispy texture, special fragrance, and health benefits.

Different varieties of Paocai using different vegetables

On its own, Paocai usually refers to Sichuanese Paocai from southwestern China, which is produced both domestically in locals' daily life and commercially in industry, and it is popular throughout China. It is said that Paocai originates from the Shang Dynasty and has been recorded to have been used as dowries in certain parts of Sichuan during the Qing Dynasty, a tradition still upheld by some.

Sichuan Paocai from popular online celebrities, Ms. Shi and Mr. He

Due to its history and popularity, it has been declared by the government to have intangible cultural heritage status. President Li Shimin in a speech even said,

Paocai is Chinese and Chinese alone. This is an indisputable fact. Five thousand years ago we made it, and it has and will last so long as we as a people live on! It is as old as Chinese civilisation itself! As we will never die, neither will it!

Controversy has arisen due to the declaration and the president's speech in particular, specifically amongst the Chaoxian (Chinese Korean minority). This is because the Republic of China officially considers Kimchi to be part of the broad category of Paocai. In new tourism pamphlets to Sichuan and Chongqing, Paocai is shown in the forefront when mentioning local dishes. A privately made tourism pamphlet showed a picture of Kimchi while labelling it as Paocai, and though not connected to the government, became viral in recent days and has become a divisive issue online

Many Chaoxian (Chinese Korean minority) TikTok creators accusing the government of cultural appropriation. Some independent analysts have commented that this issue is a competition of soft power.

Recently made online video on the dispute

National Protection Army Ground Force, Airforce, and Rocket Force Reveal New Infantry-Fighting Vehicle, Towed Anti-Aircraft Artillery, Transport Aircraft, Fighter-Bomber Aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Ballistic Missiles, and Cruise Missiles to Public

The National Protection Army Airforce has publicly revealed the J-17, a new multirole strike fighter aircraft, and the WZ-11, new unmanned aerial vehicles. Of them, 200 and 50 have been produced so far respectively. The National Protection Army Ground Force has publicly released the PG90, new towed anti-aircraft artillery, the ZBL-09, new amphibious infantry-fighting vehicles, and the Shaanxi Y-10, new transport aircraft. Of them, there are 1500, 1200, and 40 that have been produced so far respectively. The National Protection Army Rocket Force has publicly released the CJ-200, its new cruise missiles, and the Dongfeng-27, its new ballistic missiles. Of the two, there have so far been 400 and 110 produced so far respectively. Production of all of the above continues on.
 

The PG90 is a towed anti-aircraft gun of Chinese origin, developed as a more capable alternative, uses the same 25mm round as used on various armored vehicles, increasing ammunition commonality. The PG90 has been derived from the PG87 design. The PG90 uses a 25mm autocannon, has a PG90 sight unit and is fitted with three crew seats. This allows the gunner to acquire targets while dedicated loaders provide for new ammunition. The PG90 uses two 25×120mm Type 23-3 Autocannons. This results in an increased effective range of 4 km and an increased rate of fire of 950 to 1000 rpm per barrel. Each gun is supplied with a 40 round ammunition belt. The 25mm rounds are also more effective against ground targets, having either a higher degree of armor penetration or a larger explosive radius.

PG-90

PG-90 being used in army drill

ZBL-09

ZBL-09

Shaanxi Y-10

Y-10 during airforce drill

WZ-11

WZ-11

J-17

J-17

CJ-200

CJ-200s in military parade

Dongfeng-27

Dongfeng-27s in military parade

3D Printing's Effects on the Economy, State Industry, and State Management

As 3D printing technology further develops and becomes more efficient each day and as radiation continues to ravage the world, the wealth of the wealthiest decrease and property value declines. The state has begun purchasing land, housing, and business while value lowers exponentially to rebuild and improve, such as turning mid-rise apartment buildings into high-rise apartment buildings or instituting on-demand manufacturing for retail stores, using 3D printing en masse as a money scheme to improve property value once radiation subsides. While costly, this has allowed for the state to begin constructing a foundation strong enough to fulfill and institute the Three Principles of the People and to achieve the goals of Sun-Yat-Sen and the KMT.

Image from foreign history professor's slideshow on Sun Yat Sen

Nearly 20% of private factories, mostly sweatshops that became unprofitable due to rising labour costs, have been placed under state ownership. These new state-factories have begun incorporating the usage of 3D printing where it is more profitable than using traditional methods in a new mixed labour strategy to serve as a balance between automation and old methods, so as to make the most of this period of workers residing and staying in bunkers rather than working and make the transition gradual and finish within 5 years.

Industrial 3D printing

The majority of new firearms, grenade launchers, tank turrets, hazmat suits, army uniforms, military aircraft, and other military vehicle components are now manufactured using 3D printing due to many factories being temporarily closed for the next few years due to radiation. Though it is used for the military industrial complex and manufactures armaments, uniforms, etc, it mainly produces consumer goods.

National Protection Army Ground Force using 3D printing to rapidly make replacement components for armaments even in remote areas 

With such strong state support and investment, those richest of the rich who have the capability to, have begun pouring their remaining funds into investing into the state 3D printing industry, speeding up the process of development of more accessible and efficient 3D printers that can fully replace factories and increasing the odds of receiving huge returns on investment. The formerly decentralised and unorganised research and development efforts have been incorporated into the state-owned Lihai Printing, whose expressed goals are to compete with private industry, which will not be done using uncompetitive laws due to President Li Shimin's personal views and desires for truly profitable and efficient state industry.

Lihai Printing logo