Posted on 11/15/2005 4:16:37 PM PST by maui_hawaii
KYOTO, Japan (AP) - President Bush prodded China on Wednesday to grant more political freedom to its 1.3 billion people and held up rival Taiwan as an example of a society that has successfully moved from repression to democracy.
In remarks sure to rile Beijing, Bush said, ``Modern Taiwan is free and democratic and prosperous. By embracing freedom at all levels, Taiwan has delivered prosperity to its people and created a free and democratic Chinese society.''
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
Not quite "Tear down this wall...!" but it'll have to do.
Its more like "why can't you be more like your little brother [who is so much better than you at absolutely everything]"
And Big Brother China will take one look at us and say, "Ahhh, eef Taiwan so gooed, why you tradie with us?"
And the US will say, "Taiwan owns 75% of all electronics manufacturing in China"...
What was our trade last year with Taiwan, and what was it with the mainland?
Not too likely. In China, as in the Middle East, 90+% of the time "mercy","benevolence", and "freedom" are looked upon with suspicion, as weakness, or a combination of both. The powers-that-be in China know that more freedoms is often the first clod of dirt on the(ir) coffin --politically and often literally.
If you just want a surface number thats relatively easy to find...
And no, I am not talking all, or just US companies. We are talking 75% or so of China's exports are owned by Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Germany, the US, etc etc etc.
Thanks for the comments. That's interesting.
As for the exact trade figures, it's not necessary.
Bush has stood up and defended Taiwan fairly well. When he's gone I suspect we'll be back to Taiwan on the chopping block.
I don't think China is going to be too moved by the Taiwan example.
I wonder if he managed to find a Christian Church to worship in?
Glad to see the President taking on China in the heart of it's Red Republic. This on top of the Australia/India/Japan/Taiwan allaince will pay dividends in the end as challeging the Coms in Europe did once.
"In remarks sure to rile Beijing, Bush said, ``Modern Taiwan is free and democratic and prosperous. By embracing freedom at all levels, Taiwan has delivered prosperity to its people and created a free and democratic Chinese society.''"
Actually NOT. Bush is walking both sides.
He basically said China should become more like Taiwan, and that Taiwan IS PART OF CHINA ("free a democratic Chinese society", instead of "free and democratic TAIWANESE society"). So he's attempting to play both sides again.
Its going to kick off a whole new round of stuff though....
"Your President even came here to China and went to a Christian Church! Now why are you complaining about us persecuting Christians?"
The fact is, most people in Taiwan identify themselves as being ethnically Chinese.
They can't stand the CCP, but none the less they still consider themselves ethnically Chinese of some stripe or sort.
The problem in the wording is the Communist party refers to "Chinese" as a political association, whereas the rest of us consider it a race of people.
That's not correct.
How about "America is a democratic ENGLISH society?"
Would that work? I don't think so!
Even the "president" of Taiwan, Chen Shui Bian, would claim that Taiwan is not part of China and Taiwan is for Taiwanese and they ain't the same.
In other words, Bush has in effect, affirmed the one-China policy again, as expected.
How about "American people speak English."
Fact or not?
How about, "Many Americans have European ancestors."
What about that one?
How about "American society has its roots in England. That's where it came from. Yet through revolution against tyranny, Americanism was born. Yet, none the less, many Americans have British roots in their ancestory and blood lines."
Liberatarian eh?
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