By Andrew L. Jaffee
Chinese Yankee Traders in the People’s Paradise are upsetting the apple cart. The capitalist genie’s out of the bottle. All under the rubric of “communism,” many of the egalitarian masses are struggling — 20,000 rioting now — some are honestly capitalizing, while China’s “communists” have gotten loaded in pursuit of the almighty dollar, er, ah, Yuan:
by David Harris*
For too long Canada has somehow overlooked the biggest democracy in the world, India, mistakenly focusing on China instead. India’s annual GDP growth is now only one percentage point short of China’s. And the subcontinent is pushing a broader spectrum — both manufacturing and services — than China, with its emphasis on manufacturing.
A passage to India, or a slow boat to China? At last, Stephen Harper’s government might be making the right choice.
For years Canadian diplomacy has emphasized China over India. But next week, Trade Minister David Emerson’s high-profile India mission can bring a needed change — provided Canada’s government is prepared to pursue the right initiatives.
By Andrew L. Jaffee
What in China has been “egalitarian” under communist rule? The 50-80 million dead bodies racked up by Mao, Deng Xiaoping, Zhou Enlai, Ye Jianying, etc? Did Marx envision communists getting rich by experimenting with capitalism — all while maintaining central control in the hands of a few? The concept of the democratic soviet (workers’ council) has been long forgotten in favor of making plastic chochkees for Walmart. The Chinese communist-billionaire-kulaks have expropriated land owned by the proletariat, established stock markets, and built trading relationships with the Great Satan’s evil corporations, like Ford, GM, and Google — and, of course, gunned downed a few protestors here and there. Chinese “communism” is far from being egalitarian, or consistent. The BBC, safe in the capitalist UK, isn’t even consistent about China’s inconsistencies, let alone its own sophist inconsistencies. I would venture to say that many of the BBC’s staff own private property, even though they wouldn’t admit to being un-”egalitarian.” Here’s a loaded statement from the Beeb, implying that private property rights are not “egalitarian:”
China has unveiled a landmark law that will boost the protection of private property rights.
This is the first piece of legislation in the Communist country to cover an individual’s right to own assets.
Analysts say the move is an important step away from Chinese egalitarianism and towards a market economy.
The bill will also reportedly boost protection against land seizures, which have become a major source of unrest among farmers in rural areas.
By Andrew L. Jaffee
Is the experiment by Chinese communists with capitalism (an oxymoron in itself) starting to let the genie out of the bottle? Charging for medical treatment in the great peoples’ paradise? From the BBC:
By Andrew L. Jaffee
The people have spoken in the U.S. The precious gift of democracy has been savored once again. Such unimaginable freedom we have, and yet, there are those who take liberty for granted, and live (talk) the illusion that the grass is greener “over there” — wherever “there” is. But think of those who lived through the Soviet years, or those who now live in the “People’s Republic” of China. Listen to this: Some poor Chinese shmuck had a truly brilliant marketing scheme for selling condoms. He put the images of Lei Feng and Mao Zedong on the wrappers. You’ve got to hand it to him: what a savvy way to get product recognition. The guy had balls; he had to know for sure that such a marketing ploy would insult the glorious memory of the revolution! Of course the “authorities” shut his business down and “accused [the vendor] of violating advertising and product quality laws.” From Reuters:
By Andrew L. Jaffee
Oh, so now North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has “expressed regret” over shooting off a nuclear weapon? The only reason he’s being contrite is because his trigger-happiness has hurt his little ol’ wallet:
Also Friday, employees of Chinese banks said they have suspended financial transactions to North Korea under orders from Beijing. China is the North’s main trading partner, and the step could be a serious blow to its frail economy.
By Andrew L. Jaffee
Even after what we knew about North Korea, and after Stalinist “fearless leader” Kim Jong-il’s detonation of a nuclear device, shooting missiles near Japan, and collusion with Iran… China and Russia are still hedging on sanctions against this most dangerous of Asian rogue states. From Reuters:
by Harsh V. Pant*
In January 2006, Saudi king Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz al-Saud visited China and India, a trip some commentators labeled “a strategic shift” in Saudi foreign policy and reflective of “a new era” for the kingdom.[1] It was King Abdullah’s first trip outside the Middle East since taking the throne in August 2005, and it was also the first trip by a Saudi ruler to China since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1990.
by Alastair Gordon
National Post*
Thursday, September 21, 2006
*Cross-posted with permission
When Stephen Harper addresses the UN today, Alastair Gordon hopes his remarks might sound something like this…
Ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to be here today. Where to start? Let’s go to the Far East and work our way round the globe.
- Taiwan is a peaceful, self-made democracy with the world’s 17th largest economy. Yet it has consistently been denied entry to the UN. Meanwhile, Iran, a wretched theocracy threatening the world with nuclear Armageddon, is a member not only of the UN General Assembly, but also of the Human Rights Council. Canada will now support Taiwan’s full participation in the UN and its agencies. I am also taking this opportunity to announce Canada’s withdrawal from the “One China” policy embraced by my predecessor.
By Andrew L. Jaffee
It seems that Israel and the U.S. are the only nations willing to deal with Iran. While many Westerners live their lives, oblivious to foreign affairs, Iran is developing a nuclear bomb. It may not yet be an immediate threat, but it won’t take long, especially given the belief system of Iran’s rulers. “Supreme leader” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has openly called for attacks against the West (“…the great Satan is responsible. The direction of the attacks and objections should be focussed on those that benefit from these unfair remarks by the pope…”). Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has urged that Israel be “wiped off the map,” and denied that the Holocaust ever occurred. Ahmadinejad fervently believes in — has a “presidential obsession” with — mahdaviat, “the restorer of religion and justice who will rule before the end of the world.” Apocalyptic enough for you? Apparently not enough to spur the West into action. From the AP:
By Andrew L. Jaffee
It must be extremely difficult for the residents of Hong Kong to live normal lives. They have watched their liberties eroded by Chinese communists since the territory was returned by the British to mainland control. Hong Kong residents have fought peaceably for their rights, sometimes successfully, but yesterday:
Hong Kong’s legislature has passed a controversial new law on the use of covert surveillance and phone tapping, which critics fear will harm liberties.
Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee said the bill was crucial for public safety.
He also promised there would be a “good balance” between effective law enforcement and protection of privacy.
Under the law, surveillance operations have to be approved by judges appointed by Hong Kong’s leader. Critics regard the checks as inadequate.
They have expressed worries that the new Interception of Communications and Surveillance law will empower police officers to eavesdrop on political opponents.
Judges appointed by Hong Kong’s leader? Tung Chee-hwa was appointed by the mainland communists. The actions of mainland Chinese “leaders” speak for themselves.
This new “law” will be nothing less than an Orwellian nightmare, where Hong Kong residents’ phone calls and emails will be “reviewed” by armies of communist eavesdroppers (apparatchiks).
By Randy A. Sprinkle
“The United States will make no concessions to terrorist demands and strike no deals with them. We make no distinction between terrorists and those who knowingly harbor or provide aid to them.” - George W. Bush
This statement made after the September 11th attacks resonated with America. It was clear and concise and readily understandable. There were not many at that time however who realized the great complexity of this statement in terms of application - it seemed a very simple yet effective strategy. First, there were the terrorists. Second, there were “those who knowingly harbor” them. Thirdly, (and this is where it became complicated) there were those who “provide aid to them.”
by Michael Rubin
Bitterlemons International*
July 6, 2006
http://www.meforum.org/article/972
* Cross-posted with permission
Asked on February 1, 2006 whether the United States would protect Israel militarily against Iran, President George W. Bush left no doubt: “You bet, we’ll defend Israel.”
To some realists, his statement was evidence that Israel had become a strategic liability to the United States. A few prominent Jewish leaders, worried that Jews might be blamed for any military conflict with Iran, urged Bush to tone down his statements pledging support for Israel. “We are basically telling the president: We appreciate it, we welcome it. But, hey, because there is this debate on Iraq, where people are trying to put the blame on us, maybe you shouldn’t say it that often or that loud,” Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, explained.
by P. R. Kumaraswamy
Middle East Quarterly*
Spring 2006
http://www.meforum.org/article/926
* Cross-posted with permission
Israel’s military ties with China—especially the upgrading of Harpy surveillance aircraft—are undermining the Jewish state’s security. The dispute goes beyond friendly and short-lived differences of opinion. Rather, the diplomatic row represents a clash of strategic outlooks that can have lasting consequences. Middle Eastern states, for example, may perceive Washington’s public unhappiness over the Harpy deal and U.S. restrictions on future Israeli military dealings as a sign of wavering support for a country perceived by many to be Washington’s chief ally in the region. For many states with strained or adversarial ties with Washington, Israel’s diplomatic importance was as a symbolic gatekeeper to Washington. They perceived the development of relations with the Jewish state as a way to win them goodwill in the White House. But U.S. anger over Sino-Israeli military ties has undercut such a perception.
By Andrew L. Jaffee
Pope Benedict XVI has struck a blow against Beijing’s communist dictators and in support of democracy in Hong Kong. The Pope promoted Hong Kong’s Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, an outspoken critic of China’s tyrants, from bishop to cardinal. From the BBC:
…the cardinal has always been an outspoken critic of the Chinese government, and he has given few signs that he will soften his approach now he is in a more high-profile position. …
After Hong Kong was handed over to China in 1997, his outspoken support for democracy put him in direct opposition to Beijing.
He played a high-profile role in the mass pro-democracy rally of July 2003, and became one of the spiritual and moral voices of the democrats.
He has openly criticised the Beijing-backed chief executive of Hong Kong, Donald Tsang - a good friend and practising Catholic - for his eagerness to please Beijing, and his failure to push for a democratic Hong Kong.
Supporters of democracy in Hong Kong have worked peaceably for freedom. They deserve our support.
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