China Explains Decision to Block U.S. Ships [Blames US]

New York Times ^ | 11/29/07 | David Lague

[charles m]

BEIJING, Nov. 29 — China denied permission for a United States aircraft carrier battle group and other American warships to visit Hong Kong last week because of the Bush administration’s proposal to sell upgrades to Patriot antimissile batteries to Taiwan, Chinese state media said today.

Beijing also said today that Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi had not told President Bush in a meeting Wednesday that the decisions to deny the ship visits were a “misunderstanding,” as the White House had reported after the talks.

“Reports that Foreign Minister Yang said in the United States that it was a misunderstanding do not accord with the facts,” a Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao, said in Beijing today, adding that China had “grave concern” over United States weapons sales to Taiwan.

Mr. Liu said that Mr. Bush’s meeting with the Dalai Lama in Washington in October had also damaged ties between the two countries.

“After the U.S. seriously harms China’s interests, it still asks for an embrace from China,” the officer said. “There is no reason in the world for us to do so.”

[HamiltonJay]

Well, as painful as its going to be, time to not buy a damned thing made in China.

[Piquaboy]

My heart pumps piss for their concerns.

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

Hey I am all for purchasing things made in America, a ban on made in China suits me just fine.

[edcoil]

“After the U.S. seriously harms China’s interests, it still asks for an embrace from China,” the officer said. “There is no reason in the world for us to do so.”

Hells bells, this is demanded of America everyday, many times by you get used to it.

The aircraft carrier I might understand but the smaller ships requesting harbor access to get out of the storm and into the safety of the harbor - what is that excuse?

[brownsfan]

But, but... I was told China is our FRIEND.
It’s ok to support the Chinese communists, right?

Or, is it even remotely possible that businesses that offshore to China are not only making a bad decision, they’re being unpatriotic?

[charles m]

Ah, if only we thought the same way against France and Germany when they backstabbed us...

“After [France and Germany] seriously harm American interests, it still asks for an embrace from the U.S.,” the officer said. “There is no reason in the world for us to do so.”

[rabscuttle385]

Perhaps some ships carrying Chinese goods to U.S. ports should be turned around, maybe some U.S. tech firm can announce that it will not actually build a factory in China, etc.

[Lexington Green]

Guess Americans aren’t welcome at the ‘08 Olympics, either.

[cripplecreek]

Lets turn some container ships away from our ports.

[charles m]

maybe some U.S. tech firm can announce that it will not actually build a factory in China, etc.

Fat chance.

[Southack]

Bring on the trade war!

[reagan_fanatic]

time to not buy a damned thing made in China

What - and forfeit our God-given rights to $39.00 DVD players? There would be riots in the streets, I tells ya.

[primatreat]

Just wait till that “big old Dam” breaks and kill millions. Bet they will let our aid ships in!

[mysterio]

Is it finally time to stop borrowing money from them?

[HamiltonJay]

$39? Those are Sri Lankan... Chinese are $29

[charles m]

What - and forfeit our God-given rights to $39.00 DVD players? There would be riots in the streets, I tells ya.

Haha I just had an image of all the Black Friday shoppers turning over cars in the parking lots.

[uglybiker]

That'll be our fault, too.

If not direct involvement, it will be attributed to Global Warming^TM. Which everybody knows is caused by the United States.

[steel_resolve]

that would be so awesome.

[onedoug]

Who can even trust "Made In The USA" anymore? The ingredients/contents are as likely as not to come form China anyway.

Labeling laws are deceptive at best.