I thought China had already been the offical enenmy, hence the Korean War in 50s which the Chinese launched as a preemptive strike coz MacArther then got excited and crossed the Korean broder beyond his mandade and upset the Chinese. That was the begining of the Cold War in East Asia – and some would argue , most of the Vietnam War was about containing the Chinese, and the Russians.

Seems this old enemy discourse never really went away .

Leon, you seem to have chosen your words very carefully here, as if to imply that it was a western conspiracy. Was that done on purpose?

I don’t see why it should be a cold war. China and the west are far more interdependent that Russia and the west ever were. But we do need China to step up to the plate in more ways than just economic. Power brings with it reponsibility. I think it can, but I’m not sure a one party state can deliver.

As an aside — since Leon’s words reminded me vaguely of that old chestnut, the U.S. military-industrial complex — I remember listening to the head of a U.S. company which specialised in letting office buildings to the U.S. government departments (e.g. Drug Enforcement Agency, FBI, US Dept of Agriculture, etc).
“I was once asked ‘What keeps you awake at night?’”, he said.
“World Peace, I said”
I thought it was funny anyway, and so did all the suits in the room. Nothing like a little joke to lighten the mood at a boring corporate event.
I guess some of you think he is a wanker, or worse.

Did you miss me justforfun? I’m humbled, though I think you have me confused with somebody else.

That’s pretty impressive given the size of UK.

I wish……..

The balanced voice of reason…..

Hang on – I swear a bunch of Islamo fundos were just arrested or convicted for talking this type of shite?

Don’t fly the Union Jack, Old Glory or the Tricolour – just fly the Chinese Red Flag and you will be safe, just in case any picklers were planning to use their yearly bonuses to go on a world cruise in their new yachts PS where is El Cid these days?

justforfun

The problems of underpaid maritime security forces and smuggling infect China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy as well. Recent reports describe documented attacks on a number of ships on the high seas that were boarded by personnel from military gunboats bearing the markings of the PLA Navy. The pirates reportedly were dressed in PLA Navy uniforms. These reports illustrate that although piracy is not condoned in the regional maritime security forces, the temptation to participate in it or to turn a blind eye to it in exchange for kickbacks or bribes appears to be very strong.

http://www.heritage.org/Research/AsiaandthePacific/BG1379.cfm

just in case any picklers were planning to use their yearly bonuses to go on a world cruise in their new yachts PS where is El Cid these days?

justforfun

Its gonna be a blast

Dockers in Durban were refusing last night to unload the ship. The SA Transport and Allied Workers Union’s general secretary, Randall Howard, said: “Satawu does not agree with the position of the government not to intervene with this shipment of weapons. Our members will not unload this cargo, neither will any of our members in the truck-driving sector move this cargo by road.”

People who care and people who can effect the situation at the right place at the right time. Obviously trade unionism is alive and well in SA. Good for them.

justforfun

http://lettersfromatory.wordpress.com