Secret Cables Sketch Oddities of U.S.-China Relations

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

BEIJING — This capital city’s skies were clogged with pollution, as is often the case, and China’s government was concerned. So it summoned officials of the American embassy here to a meeting.

But the session had nothing to do with hazy skies. Rather, Chinese officials were peeved that the Americans were monitoring pollution themselves, and posting their more precise findings, which usually judged the smog far worse than official Chinese readings, on Twitter for anyone to read.

Chinese officials feared the conflicting information “might lead to ‘social consequences,’ ” an American embassy cable quoted the officials as saying. So could the Americans please block Chinese citizens from visiting the Web site?

That July 2008 cable, posted on the Wikileaks Web site on Friday, is one of hundreds from the American embassy in Beijing that offer a glimpse into the depths, and heights, of relations between the United States and the Chinese government. The cables, involving secret but not highly sensitive correspondence between the two powers, cover topics ranging from China’s claims on the South China Sea to the daily exercise regimen that the Chongqing Communist Party secretary, Bo Xilai, designed for himself.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/05/world/asia/05china.html

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. Also interesting in the China cables:

Many incidents of USA "warning" China about Iran's evil intentions.
(as in " Let's you and him fight" strategy.)

[Left Coast2020]

2. The Beijing government is more interested in protecting....

...its business interestes than protecting the people. Officials (sometimes known as "leaders") of the various provinces have a stake in the process. The corruption is so thick at every level of government you can cut it with a knive. This is why Youtube is blocked. This is why Twitter is blocked. This is why Facebook is blocked. They don't want the Chinese people to see the truth. When you go to Google, you go through Google HK (Hong Kong). As a former English teacher who worked in Shenyang (Liaoning Province), I would hear occasional stories about officials who have been shot, or sent away in the middele of the night because they have said something, or did something that opposes the SOP of the governemnt. Wheather its the Bank of China, or Lenovo computers, a government official have their dirty little hands in the business for protection. If you are able to ask an official why something is part the procedure, they will tell you, "its the regulation" without an explaination why.

[ret5hd]

4. When, here in the u.s., you ask a cop or building inspector or...

code enforcement officer, or business licensing official "Why?" what answer do you get?

I am not drawing a direct equivalency (i don't expect to disappear because i ask "why?") but i also don't expect an answer that actually answers my question.

[defendandprotect]

3. kr