PRC has a rather lengthy border with Pakistan. The location of the Pak nukes is snuggled up tight in the Northeast corner -- cheek to jowl with said Chinese border. Afghanistan has a bit of a border with PRC. But I don't expect the Chinese to invade through there. (Or invade at all -- not subtle enuf.) They're playing a different game -- on my hypothesis, of course.
We know that PRC entered into a "friendship treaty" with Taliban on the day of the strikes. We also know that PRC has supplied military and communications infrastructure to Taliban; advanced, state-of-the-art air defense systems to IRAQ; they are "helping" Sudan to police the Sudanese oil fields; etc., etc. Therefore, we may feel justified in concluding that they are frankly aiding and abetting state-sponsors of terrorism.
As far as their own Muslim separatists are concerned, it is doubtful to me that PRC would "squish them" at a time when PRC is being so friendly to and supportive of fundamentalist Islamic regimes outside China.
Bear in mind China has no friends, only "interests." Muslims and Westerners alike are "barbarians" in the Chinese view. They plucked the U.S. for hard currency to modernize their military. They hate us as "imperialists" who constrain Chinese action in their own backyard. They have an interest in seeing the U.S. harried and hammered so as to weaken us -- and then PRC may find itself in a position to "break out." They are certainly helping our enemies -- some examples given above, plus Chinese troops serving with Taleban (positioned such that PRC does not appear to be the reason for their presence in the conflict); moral and financial support to terrorist regimes, etc.
U.S. is embroiled in horrendous difficulties that China may wish to see extended indefinitely -- to further weaken America militarily, economically and diplomatically. Jiang's statement of support (such as it was) for the United States as recently as two days ago was breathtaking for its noncommital tone: They wish to play "both sides against the middle" -- Islamic Fundies vs. U.S. They probably hope we kill each other off.
Here's the thing I truly worry about: If OBL had nukes, he would strike the U.S. China knows where OBL can get nukes: Pakistan. Do you think China would not help him acquire them if it had a chance -- without having to do it "openly???" (It's certainly not going to fork over any of its own. It'll maybe need them for later....)
Anyhoot, U.S. gets "cut down to size" by China's Fundie friends; she is now free to range around her own backyard -- in the South China Sea. Taiwan and Japan are left unprotected. Plus now China and several Fundamentalists states are "friends" now -- and just as China always treats her "friends," she would take advantage of that situation to increase her influence in the Arab world. And if PRC can find a way to do it -- and I think it can -- gain de facto, if not de jure, control over the oilfrields without firing a single shot. After the House of Saud is gone, and America is too weak to act, we have End Game.
So you think I'm nuts. Go read a couple threads -- especially this one: Prof. Yu on the Chinese Mind. (See Reply #57. Notice what Prof. Yu says about "crab-like movements." Read: Dialectical "science" applied to long-term power-projection strategy.)
Also this one: Unlimited War
Then tell me what you think. best -- bb. We also know
Time to teach China a lesson too alongwith with Afghanistan.
Those who support and harbour terrorism must be punished.
One little problem - China still does not have a blue water navy. And they can't get control of the Persian Gulf oil without one.
Yes. Even more simply -- if the U.S. were out of the big power picture, show does that leave by DEFAULT.