During his recent visit through five African nations, President Bush put continued pressure on China to stop trade with the Sudanese. While in Africa, Bush agreed to finance a 100 million dollar peacekeeping mission in Darfur. Bush was adament that "human suffering ought to preempt commercial interests." This statement was viewed by many to be a direct jab at the Chinese Government for their continued business with the Sudanese even in the midst of extreme human rights violations.
Since China is looking to 'diversify' their exports and build facilities near the raw materials, it seems only natural that they would begin courting African nations. (Shirk, 134) The African courtship by the Chinese government went into overdrive in 2005 and 2006 was coined the "Year of Africa" amongst Beijing officials. (Shirk, 134) Chinese officials seeking to secure their global position as a 'responsible power' claim to be well aware of the human rights violations in the Sudan. According to officials, they are 'working behind the scenes' with the Sudanese Government to make improvements. China frowns on the US for being so quick to pass judgment on the nations they choose to do business with. According to many Chinese officials, the US already has a monopoly on the regions that are rich with resources and deemed 'acceptable' to the rest of the world. Therefore, China has no other choice but to look to regions like the Sudan to meet their growing oil needs.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Bush The Latest To Challenge China's Role in Darfur (Blog #3)
During his recent visit through five African nations, President Bush put continued pressure on China to stop trade with the Sudanese. While in Africa, Bush agreed to finance a 100 million dollar peacekeeping mission in Darfur. Bush was adament that "human suffering ought to preempt commercial interests." This statement was viewed by many to be a direct jab at the Chinese Government for their continued business with the Sudanese even in the midst of extreme human rights violations.
Since China is looking to 'diversify' their exports and build facilities near the raw materials, it seems only natural that they would begin courting African nations. (Shirk, 134) The African courtship by the Chinese government went into overdrive in 2005 and 2006 was coined the "Year of Africa' amongst Beijing officials. Chinese officials seeking to secure their global position as a 'responsible power' claim to be well aware of the human rights violations in the Sudan. According to officials, they are 'working behind the scenes' with the Sudanese Government to make improvements. China frowns on the US for being so quick to pass judgment on the nations they choose to do business with. According to many Chinese officials, the US already has a monopoly on the regions that are rich with resources and deemed 'acceptable' to the rest of the world. Therefore, China has no other choice but to look to regions like the Sudan to meet their growing oil needs.
Since China is looking to 'diversify' their exports and build facilities near the raw materials, it seems only natural that they would begin courting African nations. (Shirk, 134) The African courtship by the Chinese government went into overdrive in 2005 and 2006 was coined the "Year of Africa' amongst Beijing officials. Chinese officials seeking to secure their global position as a 'responsible power' claim to be well aware of the human rights violations in the Sudan. According to officials, they are 'working behind the scenes' with the Sudanese Government to make improvements. China frowns on the US for being so quick to pass judgment on the nations they choose to do business with. According to many Chinese officials, the US already has a monopoly on the regions that are rich with resources and deemed 'acceptable' to the rest of the world. Therefore, China has no other choice but to look to regions like the Sudan to meet their growing oil needs.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
The Possibility of A New Cultural Revolution (Blog #2)
I need to be brutally honest...the main reason I found this course so appealing was because for the longest time I have been dying to learn more about the history and current events surrounding China. I have no doubt that by the end of this course I will be able to provide you with a better answer than what I will attempt right now...but here goes! :)
Of course, anything is possible...but, more than likely I do not think that a widespread and cataclysmic event such as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution could occur again in China today. The reason I doubt the recurrence of such an event is because of the introduction of the Internet and improvements in technology.
True, the Internet and advances in technology would be useful in gathering groups of rural farmers and unhappy workers aka 'the proletariat' together and informing the masses that in fact, a revolution was underway...but, the Internet allows for the too much freedom in regards to information and opinion. It would be too hard for the government to convince people to 'buy into' the ideas they were selling.
For example, the so-called 'first shot' at the cultural revolution was when Wu Han was criticized by Mao for his essay on Hai Rui. Han was supposed to make Rui look bad, but instead managed to praise him. Imagine how quickly this essay would have spread if it had been written in this day and age!!
Of course, anything is possible...but, more than likely I do not think that a widespread and cataclysmic event such as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution could occur again in China today. The reason I doubt the recurrence of such an event is because of the introduction of the Internet and improvements in technology.
True, the Internet and advances in technology would be useful in gathering groups of rural farmers and unhappy workers aka 'the proletariat' together and informing the masses that in fact, a revolution was underway...but, the Internet allows for the too much freedom in regards to information and opinion. It would be too hard for the government to convince people to 'buy into' the ideas they were selling.
For example, the so-called 'first shot' at the cultural revolution was when Wu Han was criticized by Mao for his essay on Hai Rui. Han was supposed to make Rui look bad, but instead managed to praise him. Imagine how quickly this essay would have spread if it had been written in this day and age!!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Unit 11: Missing
B). I will assume the role of the attorney for the US government attempting to prove no complicity in the death of Charles Horman in Chile in 1973.
(even though personally, I think they did!)
Argument #1: Let us begin by examining the manner in which Charlie Horman's body was found. Yes, I understand there was confusion. On behalf of the US Government and the US Embassy in Santiago, Chile, we apologize for any pain and suffering that we have caused the family. However, our records show that Charlie was shot in the stadium and buried in a wall, as is often times customary procedure for unidentified bodies. We believe he was arrested for some arbitrary reason, possibly caught up in the randomness of the coup, and as of right now we do not know why he was shot.
Argument #2: We have no reason to believe that Charlie Horman had any extreme political affiliation that could or would possibly anger the current Chilean regime. His own wife has publicly stated that he was an aspiring Children's Book author and artist. He did work on newspaper with some friends, however, he was mainly a translator of articles. If he had communist tendencies, we were unaware of them.
Argument #3: United States Government Officials, in particular, those working in Chile during the time period of Charles Horman's disappearance bent over backwards and did everything they possibly could for Mr. Horman and Charlie's wife, Beth during their time of distress. It just does not make any sense for a nation that prides itself in defending and protecting its citizens to knowingly and willfully order the execution of one of their own. Surely, you can see how we had nothing to do with the death of Charlie Horman
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Come On, Mr. Brown, Stand Up to the Chinese! (Blog #1)
After reading Will Hutton's article from The Observer entitled, Come On, Mr. Brown, Stand Up to the Chinese, I was reminded of the ongoing tension that still exists between the Chinese Government and many foreign governments, in particular, Great Britain. In his article Hutton admonished British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for being to easy on the Chinese in regards to many of their government policies. Hutton feels the reason Britain tends to handle the Chinese Government with kid gloves may be due to an inferiority complex in regards to trade. Hutton stated, "...we have so little that China wants to buy."
Once I read that statement I thought of this weeks readings and the emergence of the opium trade in China. The trade inferiority complex that may be leading Britain to overlook some questionable governmental policies...has existed in Britain since the 1700s. "By 1800 tea had become the 'national drink' in Great Britain, and the search for a counterweight to address the growth this trade imbalance contributed to British leaders' reliance on opium."
Once I read that statement I thought of this weeks readings and the emergence of the opium trade in China. The trade inferiority complex that may be leading Britain to overlook some questionable governmental policies...has existed in Britain since the 1700s. "By 1800 tea had become the 'national drink' in Great Britain, and the search for a counterweight to address the growth this trade imbalance contributed to British leaders' reliance on opium."
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Unit 12: Men With Guns
Conejo's life changed for the better the fateful day he encountered Dr. Humberto Fuentes. Conejo led Dr. Fuentes on a mission to find Cerca del Cielo and in the process the two companions met some memorable travelmates. Altough all four made it to the top of Cerca del Cielo, only two would continue to impact Conejo's life...Domingo, the Army defector and Graciela, the silent war victim.
Once Dr. Fuentes passed away, Domingo istantly picked up in his footsteps. He became the village doctor, treating all the maladies he could with the medicine from Dr. Fuentes' bag. WIth each wound Domingo treated, he seemed to heal one his own. It was as if his own heart was softening in the process. Graciela noticed the change in Domingo. She grew more and more fond of him with each passing day.
But, this is a biography about Conejo the young boy...what happened to him?
Well, he FLOURISHED! A young family adopted him.
He played with the young boys and girls. And even though the villagers of Cerca del Cielo lived in poverty, they were a happy people. There was no violence and his young heart was slowly able to heal. He heard laughter during the day and lullabies at night, as opposed to gunshots! His adopted father taught him how to work the land and he was proud of his skill. He helped grow the food that his family ate. He felt successful, safe, and happy.
Once Dr. Fuentes passed away, Domingo istantly picked up in his footsteps. He became the village doctor, treating all the maladies he could with the medicine from Dr. Fuentes' bag. WIth each wound Domingo treated, he seemed to heal one his own. It was as if his own heart was softening in the process. Graciela noticed the change in Domingo. She grew more and more fond of him with each passing day.
But, this is a biography about Conejo the young boy...what happened to him?
Well, he FLOURISHED! A young family adopted him.
He played with the young boys and girls. And even though the villagers of Cerca del Cielo lived in poverty, they were a happy people. There was no violence and his young heart was slowly able to heal. He heard laughter during the day and lullabies at night, as opposed to gunshots! His adopted father taught him how to work the land and he was proud of his skill. He helped grow the food that his family ate. He felt successful, safe, and happy.
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