This all said, China DOES see itself as a world player, looking for as many allies as possible, and sees the United States as a potential enemy. Big surprise, given U.S. interference regarding Taiwan, and U.S. trade protectionism. China CLEARLY sees Taiwan as part of China, which shouldn't have split after communims took hold. (Hopefully the U.S. doesn't try to justify invading Canada as payback - as no other military other than China's is large enough to do more than prolong eventual defeat, (unless many nationas worked together to defend Canada- which the UN wouldn't have the nerve to do) while destroying a few American targets while they're at it.
Canada should be making friends with China (and other nations) as quickly as possible--more so than they already have. Luckily, leaders like Difenbaker and Trudeau paved the way for better relations with China than the U.S. has, by trading with China.
I find the closing statements by China's foreign minister quite refreshing, and thought they may or may not reflect China's actions all the time, it's refreshing to see a leader challenge the capitalist view of the world. Of course, there are rich and poor in China, and some state violence may or may not be justified, but at least China beleives in the power of strong state interevention to aid a nation's economy.
The key of Canada, I think, is to find a balance between capitalism, communism, and socialism. Perhaps we shouldn't mimic China to the extreme, but there is a lot of wisdom there. They are a VERY old culture. It's great to see that kind of rhetoric from a national politican.
Anyway, enough of my ramblings, here's the start of the article:
CNEWS (via canoe.ca)
Chinese foreign minister: China looking for 'as many friends as possible'
By STEPHANIE HOO
BEIJING (AP) - China's rising status shouldn't worry its neighbours, the foreign minister said Saturday, calling his country's growing prosperity its "biggest contribution to global peace." Nonetheless, Li Zhaoxing insisted China won't allow "any outside force to interfere" in its effort to unite with rival Taiwan, and he rejected foreign criticism of China's human rights record..The article ends with quite an intriguing, and profound statement (That I happen to like) :
Li was scornful of critics of China's human rights record, saying they have "misconceptions." He added that the Communist party deserves credit for improving life for China's 1.3 billion people, including doubling life expectancy during its 54 years in power.read the entire article
"For a handful of westerners who claim to be human rights guardians, their annual income is tens of thousands, even millions of dollars. But they are indifferent to the poor," Li said. "What they have is just a cold heart."
Note: read the entire article
Stumble It!
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Dave Ruston
"The greatest price of not participating in politics is being governed by your inferiors." Plato
As for the U.S., I agree that conventionally, their army is perhaps overrated. From what I've read, training is best in Canada, and the U.S. apparently dodn't even give reserves and national guard troops in Iraq bulletproof vests! Sounds like the U.S. spends all their money on missiles, mini-nukes and their large navy and air force. Even their air force and navy are more about quantity than anything else. I think the F-22 contract is still cancelled, and the Sea-wolf class was cancelled, I guess the Ohio class subs are still being upgraded, though.
I think Canada differs from Iraq in that fewer people have guns, and have had an opportunity to use them, but I'd be willing to learn if need be.
-Perturbed.
If the U.S. keeps fighting wars and building more equipment, they'll hurt their army, and with their debt-based banking system and lower-taxes, could continue to over-extend themselves......I just meant in my comment earlier that I'm just worried that due to nuclear weapons, the U.S. could potentially do a lot of damage on their way out.....
I don't see them taking it as well as the Russians did, if their once proud military sinks to the bottom of the harbour every time they take a sub out for a trainging exercise.
I could see them having to downsize bigtime, but we'll see.
-"FOR THE UNION, MR. REAGAN!!!"
-Bye.
I mean just consider the amount of discussion we do about our dire political situation, if this was going on down south they would be up in arms, we are seeking solutions in peaceful ways to take back our country and protect it in the future, considering our trade options rather than taking what we get, we are investigating. This is good, I think, although I do get a sense that some people are getting tired of talking and may soon resort to other means of communications,some people are saying they feel a revolution coming on, even in Canada, I hope not but...
Then we can go back to being NDP peaceniks. Historically, it could be argued we're not pacifist at all, but pragmatic. It would be quite pragmatic to round up business elites and Libertarians, cage them and strand them on northern ice-flows. Who's with me?
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Dave Ruston
If we ever have American troops on our soil, we should co-ordinate strategy, and find ourselves a couple of well-protected sniper spots.