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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| China paying for new presidential palace - for Sudan |
| 2007-02-07 |
| Via Damian Penny Last week China's leader, Hu Jintao, provided Sudan with an interest-free loan to build a presidential palace. With that gesture, Hu demonstrated his contempt for the Western understanding of the world -- and for Western policy toward his own country. Sudan, you will recall, is the scene of the Darfur genocide. Since the killing began three years ago, the United States and its allies have flown in food and medicines, provided logistical help and money for a token African peacekeeping force, and done their best to isolate the Sudanese regime, which orchestrates the massacres. They have done this not because they have a selfish interest in Darfur but because tossing babies into bonfires is a crime against humanity. In the run-up to Hu's visit to Sudan on Friday and Saturday, there were hopes that the Chinese leader would back the West's Sudan policy. China's diplomats are forever reassuring the world about their country's "peaceful rise," and Hu duly expressed support for an expanded peacekeeping force in Darfur. But everything else about his visit demonstrated the gap between Chinese and Western priorities. Hu called on nations to "respect the sovereignty of Sudan." But since the end of the Cold War, the Western view of sovereignty has grown increasingly contingent. If a nation slaughters its civilians (think Rwanda, Kosovo), harbors terrorists (Afghanistan) or refuses to cooperate with U.N. weapons inspectors (yes, Iraq), it forfeits its right to sovereignty. It may not be invaded, but it certainly can expect to face sanctions. Sudan, by these standards, is an easy candidate for sanctions. But China's talk of "sovereignty" is code for the opposite policy. As well as paying for a presidential palace, Hu used his trip to cancel $80 million of Sudanese debt, to announce a plan to build a railway line and to visit an oil refinery that China partly owns, basking in the fact that 80 percent of Sudan's oil goes to his country. |
| Posted by:Seafarious |
| #7 SPACEWAR > CHINA CHECKMATING THE USA article > Hu Jintao's upcoming visit to West Indies = China SSSSHHHHHHH wants a naval base [and by extens Air] in the Seychelles. *Interesting - USA + Brit also wanted a base(s) there in Seychelles but conservationist + enviro groups complained/resisted. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2007-02-07 21:14 |
| #6 Is palace building another example of socialism with Chinese characteristics? |
| Posted by: Excalibur 2007-02-07 12:16 |
| #5 Don't think the wait for Stinger like missles in Iraq will be long. If they aren't there already. Why in the hell do we allow any imports from China? Just saying... |
| Posted by: Icerigger 2007-02-07 07:57 |
| #4 I get the feeling China And Russia are behind all our enemies whether North Korea,Iran,Syria etc "I've Got That Old Feeling" No matter what I say or do, I just can't seem to get inside your heart What have I done wrong? Lately you're so far away, You just don't seem to hold me like you used to Something's going on I've got that old feeling, you're leaving I'm so tired of goodbye I can't wait on your love forever While you change your mind Morning finds us face to face I feel you staring through me while I'm talking Familiar looks I recognize the same old looks that said goodbye the last time Something I'm used to I've got that old feeling, you're leaving I'm so tired of goodbye I can't wait on your love forever While you change your mind |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2007-02-07 07:15 |
| #3 I get the feeling China And Russia are behind all our enemies whether North Korea,Iran,Syria etc Welcome to my world EG9608! Yes, we are fighting proxy wars all around the world. It is called death by a thousand cuts. |
| Posted by: DanNY 2007-02-07 05:19 |
| #2 I get the feeling China And Russia are behind all our enemies whether North Korea,Iran,Syria etc |
| Posted by: Ebbolump Glomotle9608 2007-02-07 04:48 |
| #1 One way for China to show Sudan the love. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2007-02-07 01:02 |