Listening to Beijing
Mainstream news sources can't agree on how to assess China's dissatisfaction with Washington. The Washington Post seems to think it's business as usual despite Beijing's complaints about the Dalai Lama's visit to the White House and, separately, the U.S. sale to Taiwan of $6.4 billion in weapons. The New York Times sees rising tensions, while the Times of London notes that diplomatic footwork should appease Chinese feelings. Call me paranoid, but I'd make one fairly obvious connection that's not to be found in mainstream accounts: China recently sold about 5% of its U.S. bond holdings. If it has to talk any louder than that pretty soon it'll be swinging the proverbial two by four...
Posted by George Kenney on February 20, 2010 9:07 AM 
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Comments
Joel Brinkley argues that the US should make nice with China in order advance a more important goal — sanctions against Iran.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/86072.html
Promoting and advancing Likud/Israel's policies come first, don't you know.
[Considering how much China wants Iran's hydrocarbons, I doubt it'll agree to real pressure. g.]
Posted by: Butch in Waukegan | February 20, 2010 10:28 AM
It concerns me that the Obama administration appears to be deliberately antagonizing the Chinese government. While it might be useful to the military/industrial/intelligence/security complex to create another bogeyman since Bin Laden is probably dead, creating a global confrontation with China is even more idiotic than bombing Iran. What can these people be thinking?
Haven't we got enough problems and enough enemies without a conflict with China?
Posted by: Charles D
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February 20, 2010 1:35 PM
Thinking the Unthinkable: What if China Devalues the Renminbi?
By Marshall Auerback, a fund manager and investment strategist who writes for New Deal 2.0 and Yves Smith
http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2010/02/thinking-the-unthinkable-what-if-china-devalues-the-renminbi.html
Posted by: Jon | February 22, 2010 10:17 PM