NYT: China's Big Need for Oil Is High on U.S. Agenda (Rising Oil Prices)

[Maven]

WASHINGTON, April 18 — The competition for access to oil is emerging high on the agenda for President Hu Jintao's visit to the White House this week. President Bush has called China's demand one reason for rising prices, and Washington has warned Beijing against trying to "lock up" global supplies.

With crude oil selling for more than $70 a barrel and American motorists paying $3 a gallon for gasoline, American officials say the subject cannot be avoided at Thursday's meeting in the Oval Office, as it was sidestepped when Mr. Bush visited Beijing last fall.

China's appetite for oil also affects its stance on Iran, where a growing confrontation with the United States over nuclear programs has already unsettled oil markets. China has invested heavily in Iran, and as a permanent member of the Security Council, its position on the question of sanctions is crucial.

...

"Getting the Chinese to come around on Iran," said one of the officials, who has been preparing for the Oval Office meeting between Mr. Hu and Mr. Bush, "is going to be the great test of whether we're getting through on these issues."

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[aquart]

1. And who gave them the big need? US!

All our factories are over there. There's not a stitch of clothing we wear that they don't make.

[hatrack]

2. Yeah, but if they really wanted to lock up supplies, they'd invade, and .

Oh, wait, never mind!

My bad!!!!

:evilgrin:

[pinniped]

3. Ya, what's boy monkey gonna do?

* has warned Beijing against trying to "lock up" global supplies.

Send another spyplane over there to crash into one of their MIGs?

If that happens again, the pukes will be calling for global thermal nuclear war.