| > | | | | the world as an equal and be able to hold her head |
| China is a huge place, of that there is no doubt. With | | | | high in the company of her peers. |
| over 1.3 billion people it faces enormous pressures | | | | Certainly her rhetoric is there and sometimes we |
| and challenges that only the people of Asia and the | | | | must state our goals before they can be realised. |
| subcontinent can truly understand. | | | | There is a time delay between when we say we |
| This was brought home to me again recently when | | | | are going to and the time we can say we |
| talking to a Kazakh friend of mine in Shanghai about | | | | have done |
| the Avarian Bird disease currently threatening | | | | I think we must accept that China does truly wish to |
| China. All this very intelligent and educated man could | | | | evolve. Students of International Politics and followers |
| offer as to the why’s and where’s | | | | of Machiavellian theories can and will offer arguments |
| was the intonation too many people, too many | | | | to the contrary, of that I am certain. As wise people |
| people | | | | we must listen to their arguments. It is certainly not |
| This analysis may sound simplistic to the | | | | unknown in history that nation states can say one |
| scientists and medical experts who attempt to | | | | thing and mean another, something Neville |
| understand and contain the spread of this disease | | | | Chamberlain learnt to his eternal chagrin.. |
| but, sometimes, simple analysis is best. | | | | But if we work on the premise that this is a true and |
| China has huge problems as a result of population | | | | genuine intention on behalf of the P.R.C. then we |
| pressure. People need to be fed, employed, clothed, | | | | must act differently. We must give the benefit of |
| warmed, transported and made to feel secure. As | | | | the doubt. |
| the P.R.C. officials have said on countless occasions, in | | | | But like a New Years Resolution we sometimes need |
| part justification of it’s Human Rights record, | | | | a little egging on or, even, not so gentle reminders as |
| is that the idea of widespread unrest and lawlessness | | | | to our flagging resolve or lack of urgency. |
| in a country with the population the size of | | | | Despite our being able to emphasise with |
| China’s is unthinkable. | | | | China’s unique problems we must still maintain |
| China is starving for fuel, it is short of many | | | | the pressure on China over human rights violations |
| resources, it is sinking in it’s own pollution, | | | | and remind her, as a friend would, of her resolutions |
| hygiene is poor and it’s environment and | | | | and pronouncements. |
| natural resources are being degraded at a rapid rate. | | | | Yes! China we understand your difficulties, we |
| The threat of Avarian disease, SARS or any number | | | | emphasise with the challenges you face and the |
| of untold other diseases is very, very real. | | | | difficulty of the job at hand. We realise that the |
| Add to this the challenge of having 56 ethnic groups | | | | Titanic can not be turned on a sixpence, that in many |
| within it’s boundaries and large representations | | | | echelons below your Politburo there are people very |
| of the major world religions, often than not, very | | | | set in their ways. |
| different in ideology and outlook to each other. | | | | But China, you must sometimes give before you |
| The sum result is an unbelievable challenge for any | | | | receive. You must be seen to be at least trying and |
| government and, one that you can not help but | | | | unfortunately, in the area of Human Rights, you are |
| think, would be beyond the capabilities of a totally | | | | still not seen to be. |
| democratic government in the Westminster style. | | | | We want to welcome you into our bosom but you |
| As commentators and analysts, especially those of | | | | can not expect to be received as an equal when you |
| us with a Human Rights bent, we can so easily fall | | | | maintain your programmes of oppression, |
| into the trap of, for want of better words, China | | | | victimisation and worse against the likes of the |
| Bashing. That very comfortable zone where it is | | | | Uygurs and the Tibetans. |
| easy to provide criticism but rarely put forward | | | | China, how can you expect us to shake your hand as |
| solutions. | | | | a friend when it continues to be sullied with the blood |
| The P.R.C. say that we are witnessing the birth of a | | | | of your peoples? |
| New China, a China that will take her place in | | | | |