Posted on 06/05/2007 7:03:32 AM PDT by pissant
EXCERPT: A China-Iran-Russia alliance against the West for control of the Eurasia heartland seems to be in the making.
Advocates of continued Most-Favored-Nation trade status for China claim that this is a ``normal'' part of U.S. international relations and that China hasn't done anything odd enough to be an exception.
China's friends seem to have adopted a rather jaded view of normality. Are thinly veiled threats to attack Los Angeles, like those made by China during the recent Taiwan crisis, ``normal'' diplomatic discourse?
Was Beijing's attempt to influence elections on Taiwan by military demonstrations and missile firings ``normal?''
Was the movement of two U.S. carrier battlegroups to positions of potential confrontation with China a ``normal'' gesture of friendly relations?
Or, do these actions indicate a strategic relationship with China more on a par with Cuba or North Korea, countries with which we do not extend MFN?
We didn't grant MFN to the Soviet Union either, when it was aiming missiles at U.S. cities.
As China ascends, America declines
University of Miami Professor June Teufel Dreyer said, at a recent Army War College conference, ``the leadership of the People's Republic of China is profoundly dissatisfied with the international status quo ... the Chinese leadership's goal is to replace the United States as the hegemonic power in the Asian region.
``It sees the (People's Republic of China) as an ascendant power while America, which has withdrawn from bases in the Philippines, downsized its military personnel, slashed its defense procurement programs and consigned its navy to a littoral role, is seen as declining.''
Another sign of American weakness
Renewing China's MFN status without a strategic quid pro quo would be another sign of relative American weakness.
This is not about trade.
The ``China Market'' has always been a myth.
Trade with China never exceeded three percent of total American commerce during the 19th century. In 1995, with a billion Chinese, trade with Beijing was still only about four percent of U.S. commerce -- or $11.7 billion.
China doesn't want imports; it wants investment and technology to build its own industrial base -- which will reshape the balance of power. As a 1994 GAO report stated: ``In the People's Republic of China, sophisticated manufacturing technologies acquired through cooperative programs with the West are being adapted for Chinese military use.''
U.S. firms have been encouraged to enter joint ventures and coproduction agreements that transfer capital and know-how to Chinese industry.
China has been buying from a variety of U.S. sources the machine tools used to manufacture cruise missile and nuclear warhead components. Much of this equipment was supposed to be for civilian use, but has ended up at military-owned factories.
Transnational firms are seeking profits from building the strategic industrial base that will support China's bid for regional dominance. U.S. policy, however, must be based on national interests, not private profits.
China's trade surplus with the U.S., a direct result of MFN, provides Beijing with hard currency needed to buy weapons. Much of China's trade is actually conducted by companies operated by the People's Liberation Army.
Last year, this surplus gave China $34 billion. This is not a petty sum.
For comparison, consider that for Fiscal Year 1997, the House of Representatives has authorized less than $39 billion for our country's own military procurement. China's trade surplus will surpass this figure by year's end.
Russia has been the main source for arms, with China pressing to build improved versions in their own factories. When Boris Yeltsin visited China in April, the resulting agreements were termed by both sides as a ``strategic partnership.''
Jacob Heilbrunn, writing in the May 27 issue of The New Republic concluded that ``Russia is moving to become the junior partner to China in its move against the West.''
China has also bought a variety of weapon systems from Western Europe.
Beijing, in turn, is passing on advanced military technology and weapons to Iran -- also a favorite customer of Russia.
Indeed, a tacit China-Iran-Russia alliance against the West for control of the Eurasia heartland, with its vast storehouse of oil and minerals, seems to be in the making.
Proponents of what the Clinton Administration calls ``engagement'' (but others could easily call appeasement) claim trade and economic growth will encourage democracy.
This has no historical basis.
When economic growth outstrips political reform, authoritarian regimes gain more capability and resources to pursue old feuds and new ambitions.
It should be remembered how this imbalance played out in Japan and Germany in the first half of this century.
Both of those states had fast-growing economies, but in the service of reactionary regimes bent on upsetting the international status quo. They produced two world wars.
This almost happened a third time with the Soviet Union. The Cold War was won not because the U.S. helped the U.S.S.R. become a success, but because, under economic pressure, the Soviets collapsed.
Most Favored Nation status for China must be denied. Not so much to pressure China into reform, but to deny China a source of economic power until reform takes place.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, a Republican from California, is chairman of the House National Security Subcommittee on Military Procurement. Readers may write to him at the U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515.
With Thompson in, Hunter’s out. He just doesn’t know it yet.
Every time I see a Hunter article, it’s either you or Ultra.
Keep up the good work.
Hunter has been so far ahead of the curve on China, Illegal aliens, terrorism, and the military that it seems preposterous to consider any other candidate for Commander in Chief.
I think not. Hunter is in for the long haul.
Rob21 has done some good work as well.
If we get Thompson as POTUS, I can certainly see a job for Hunter in the White House.
Ping of interest.
“Beijing, in turn, is passing on advanced military technology and weapons to Iran — also a favorite customer of Russia.
Indeed, a tacit China-Iran-Russia alliance against the West for control of the Eurasia heartland, with its vast storehouse of oil and minerals, seems to be in the making.”
I’d be tempted to call this prophetic, but it has been there for all to see for a long time. It has advanced soooo far as to bring Putins mouthing off over the defensive stuff proposed for Chechoslovakia.....and Bush’s response is like the subbie in a BDSM skit!
He doesn’t have the money to stay in long term, unless he wants to be the Kuncinich of the right.
Yes, you can now join the millions of happy and prosperous Chinese citizens taking advantage of the growing numbers of American and Western multinational corporations “outsourcing” their production to the hard-working and industrious people of China. This outsourcing has now spread to their food supplies and ingestible items. Since these firms pay us for gross weight – and this new weight will be pretty gross – and the stupid American government only spot-checks imported items in these categories (they just got lucky on the anti-freeze thing), it has opened an entirely new opportunity which our beloved Chairman is offering to any Chinese citizen willing to do a little of what the foolish Americans call “grunt work.”
Installing one of these state-of-the-art food additive production facilities behind YOUR hovel is as simple as clipping the coupon below and sending it to the address shown. Your production plant will be shipped to you in 4 to 6 weeks. Supplies are limited so don’t fart around. ACT NOW!! 
These silly Americans have an expression we have “borrowed” and modified to describe this new and exciting venture: “Don’t give me any s**t.”
Our motto will be “We won’t give any s**t. But we’ll SELL it to you fools at a really great price.”
AND LOOK FOR A NEW DROP-DEAD MONEY-MAKER COMING SOON. SOYLENT YELLOW PROMISES TO BE BIG!!
Bush has Putie by the balls. They both know it.
ROFL! Well done.
He’s spot on-
He has one thing going for him. He is the best man for the job.
bump
bump for later.
ping
That may be true, but I am sorry to see it. Hunter is, in my view, the better man and probably smarter. Too bad he didn’t have a TV show, too. But you know who has a bigger TV show? James Gandofini - let’s nominate him!
That might have worked in Lincoln’s day; not so today. Today you have to have the right media advisers, makeup people, and most of all, money. Lots and lots of money.
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