China Wants U.S. to Leave Hong Kong Alone

[DuctapeFatwa]

..China has demanded that the American government "stop interfering" in the territory's internal affairs, the official news agency said Sunday.

Kong Quan, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, was quoted by the Xinhua News Agency as responding to a U.S. State Department spokesman's comment on Hong Kong's political development.

"Hong Kong affairs (are) an internal issue of China, and the Chinese government firmly opposes any foreign government interference in the affairs of Hong Kong in any form," Xinhua said, paraphrasing Kong.

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20040111_1.html

[Gman]

1. Who? Little 'ol us? Interfere in another country's internal affairs?

How dare they insinuate such a thing?

[phgnome]

2. And for that matter

The US ought to stay out of the Taiwan-China relationship, as well.

[auburnblu]

3. And what would happen to Taiwan?

So the U.S. should just say to heck with Taiwan? I'm sure many in the Chinese government would love that. Oh hell, why not just pull all troops out of Asia all together. Tell South Korea bye, I'm sure all North Korea would do is send them Valentine's Day cards. Why doesn't the U.S. publicy announce, we don't care who does what in Asia. Heck why don't we just become an isolationsit country?

[mbperrin]

4. OK!

Let's do it! 50 years of totally ineffective, costly and deadly troop movements and bases have gotten us zilch!

Let's do what G. Washington said and avoid foreign entanglements!

[Kinkistyle]

5. We are right to encourage democracy and human rights where appropriate

Like our OWN country for example. But in other places like China (e.g. when Tianemen Square went down), Burma, Hong Kong, etc... By applying subtle economic and diplomatic pressure we can influence authoritarian countries to lay off a bit. When the help is askd for, of course. Hong Kong may very well enjoy being slowly oppressed, but judging by the 500,000 people-strong protest against the government last year, my guess is they don't.
I do not espouse rampant military involvment however, that is an entirely different matter.

[mbperrin]

6. I'm not saying there is nothing wrong in the world, but

there is plenty wrong here as well, and it doesn't make much sense to make a country like China one of your biggest trading partmers and buyers of national debt and also threaten it politically and/or militarily.

Doing both simultaneously only enriches 1) multinationals and 2) military-industrial complex.

I'm agin that.

[Kinkistyle]

9. Being a trading partner gives us that opportunity.

We are helping them out, they help us out, its a good relationship. So while we are helping each other out, "Hey listen, about that Human Rights, don't you think its about time you addressed it?"

Of course China can also give us a major tongue-lashing when it comes to Iraq, and the environment is not so ripe for asserting our morals on anyone.

[0007]

7. This administration indeed good at foreign affairs, 'eh

:hi:

Now that we got the whole world pissed at us, it would be wise to bring the troops home from everywhere and practice brotherly love in the name of brotherhood.

Thanks for the pm - been away during the holidays and forgot to answer 'ya. Funny about the whole town being JB's.

[mbperrin]

8. I would say that their oaf-airs are indeed well-practiced!

You're welcome!