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To: JasonC
What about China?

I haven't seen anyone really analyze the Chinese interest and possible involvement in the developing crisis. It seems to me that they have much to gain in the event of a full-fledged war: the destruction of one its chief rivals in the region, India.

Has anyone given any thought to whether or not the Chinese are actively influencing events, or are they just sitting back? Hard to believe they wouldn't have anything to say about a situation like this brewing up in their own backyard. Don't they aspire to "superpower" status? Wouldn't this be an optimal time for them to step forward as a potential power broker?

18 posted on 05/30/2002 1:55:22 PM PDT by borkrules
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To: borkrules
They have been very quiet. Of course they are a traditional ally of Pakistan and enemy of India. But they have been somewhat shoved aside in Pakistan by its post 9-11 shift to a pro-US line. They certainly have not pledged to aid Pakistan to protect it from India.

China probably likes the fact that the US is worrying about Islam, not Taiwan or Korea. The basic story seems to be they stir up trouble for us at long distance and stay out of the resulting fracas. They have supported Sudan, Pakistan, and Syria in particular for those sorts of reasons. But they have avoided any direct "crossing" of the US over such things, reserving that for Taiwan.

I doubt they relish the prospect of India defeating Pakistan in a conventional conflict, or the prospect of a nuclear exchange. But they probably don't mind us being worried and busy over it, and divided between Pakistan and India. The whole thing undoubtedly helps them sell missles. But the bottom line is they don't want India to just win outright, but don't appear ready to jump in to help Pakistan and prevent that - so I doubt they want an actual shooting war.

20 posted on 05/30/2002 3:40:18 PM PDT by JasonC
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