[Quix]

Given the relative intensities and successes at secrecy vis a vis the two governments,

it's hard for me to see the port exchange visits as

REALLY EQUAL

quid pro quo.

I suspect they got a lot more intel from us than we did from them.

Supposedly our sat intel is so much better it MIGHT not matter but I'm skeptical.

[Dr. Marten]

I really dont see what advantages we could gain from them in port-to-port visits.

1.We already possess far more technological advantages than the Chinese, so it's not like we have anything to gain there.

2. We already fly recon. missions on a regular basis. This provides us with a great deal of information in addtion to the inside connections that we have.

3. They are not going to be conducting any secret intel communications while in our ports due to the fact that they know we will be listening.

In short, yes, they are the ones gaining the advantage. I really do not have much more faith in Bush when it comes to China, than I did with Clinton. He may not be putting their people in the White House, but he isn't showing much of a backbone in dealing with the CCP either.