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November 16, 2023
And Then Biden Blew It … Again

In June U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was on a long desired trip to China. Just 24 hours after a somewhat positive statement of the meeting came out Biden blew it by calling Xi Jinping a 'dictator'.

The Chinese government was not amused:

China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called Mr Biden's remarks "extremely absurd and irresponsible". Speaking at a regularly scheduled press conference on Wednesday, she said that the comments were "an open political provocation" that violated diplomatic etiquette.

Yesterday President Xi Jinping of China met U.S. President Joe Biden near San Francisco.

The Chinese spokesperson had set out the agenda:

Hua Chunying 华春莹 @SpokespersonCHN – 11:25 UTC · Nov 16, 2023

President Xi Jinping noted that there are two options for China and the U.S. in the era of global transformations unseen in a century: One is to enhance solidarity and cooperation and join hands to meet global challenges and promote global security and prosperity; …
… and the other is to cling to the zero-sum mentality, provoke rivalry and confrontation, and drive the world toward turmoil and division. The two choices point to two different directions that will decide the future of humanity and Planet Earth.

Xi wanted to chose the first path. But shortly after their meeting Biden walked on the second.

He again blew it:

Remarks by President Biden in a Press Conference | Woodside, CA – Nov 16, 2023 – White House

Q And, Mr. President, after today, would you still refer to President Xi as a “dictator”? This is a term that you used earlier this year.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, look, he is. I mean, he’s a dictator in the sense that he — he is a guy who runs a country that — it’s a communist country that is based on a form of government totally different than ours.

Anyway, we made progress.

The Chinese view certainly differs.

The Democracy Perception Index (pdf) is the world’s largest annual study on how people perceive democracy. In the U.S. 76% believe that 'democracy is important' but only 54% answer yes when asked if their country is democratic. In China the agreeing percentages for the same questions are 88% and 73%.

Posted by b on November 16, 2023 at 13:55 UTC | Permalink
Comments

Regardless of childish provocations and the semantics debate following them, both readouts are clear-cut about the lack of understanding surrounding the contentions issues on the table. China will continue to pursue reunification on its own terms and the full development of its economy, while The United States under the Neocons reaffirmed its commitment to preserve hegemony at any cost and that includes the status-quo regarding Taiwan. The room for diplomacy seems to shrink by the week. I feel as the world has turned back to the prior days of the Great War, and we are all a sneeze away from a generalized conflict.

Posted by: CoffinJoe | Nov 16 2023 18:04 utc | 201

Regardless of childish provocations and the semantics debate following them, both readouts are clear-cut about the lack of understanding surrounding the contentions issues on the table. China will continue to pursue reunification on its own terms and the full development of its economy, while The United States under the Neocons reaffirmed its commitment to preserve hegemony at any cost and that includes the status-quo regarding Taiwan. The room for diplomacy seems to shrink by the week. I feel as the world has turned back to the prior days of the Great War, and we are all a sneeze away from a generalized conflict.

Posted by: CoffinJoe | Nov 16 2023 18:04 utc | 202

Take a look at Canada if you want to see a dictator in action.

Posted by: statingtheobvious | Nov 16 2023 18:05 utc | 203

Take a look at Canada if you want to see a dictator in action.

Posted by: statingtheobvious | Nov 16 2023 18:05 utc | 204

Xi came to the conference to chat with bidness leaders. All the while US is gearing up Asia to start a war with mainland China.
Full List of Business Leaders Said to Have Spent $40K To Dine With Xi
The business leaders gave Xi a standing ovation at the banquet.

Posted by: Erelis | Nov 16 2023 18:05 utc | 205

Xi came to the conference to chat with bidness leaders. All the while US is gearing up Asia to start a war with mainland China.
Full List of Business Leaders Said to Have Spent $40K To Dine With Xi
The business leaders gave Xi a standing ovation at the banquet.

Posted by: Erelis | Nov 16 2023 18:05 utc | 206

And never forget who the vp is and what she might say.
Democracy huh?

Posted by: jpc | Nov 16 2023 18:10 utc | 207

And never forget who the vp is and what she might say.
Democracy huh?

Posted by: jpc | Nov 16 2023 18:10 utc | 208

“toadieinthehood doesn’t know shit about China.
Wait for it: the low quality troll who lives in mama’s basement will now assert he lives in China and is married to a Chinese communist.
These low quality shilling per post trolls are so predictable.”
I am married to a Shanghainese and have lived in China for months at a time. The Chinese Communist Party, headed by Xi, has monopoly control over political power in China, and independent journalism is not permitted. China’s rate of economic growth from 1995-2019 was primarily due to its previous backwardness, combined with high average cognitive ability. COVID aside, the growth rate has slowed down now that its average living standards are on a par with Mexico’s. In light of its brainpower and remaining backwardness, China will continue to grow faster than the US, but it will be many years before its average living standards approach those in Taiwan or South Korea. US oligarchs favor “democracy” as a sham that they are able to manipulate.

Posted by: greg | Nov 16 2023 18:10 utc | 209

“toadieinthehood doesn’t know shit about China.
Wait for it: the low quality troll who lives in mama’s basement will now assert he lives in China and is married to a Chinese communist.
These low quality shilling per post trolls are so predictable.”
I am married to a Shanghainese and have lived in China for months at a time. The Chinese Communist Party, headed by Xi, has monopoly control over political power in China, and independent journalism is not permitted. China’s rate of economic growth from 1995-2019 was primarily due to its previous backwardness, combined with high average cognitive ability. COVID aside, the growth rate has slowed down now that its average living standards are on a par with Mexico’s. In light of its brainpower and remaining backwardness, China will continue to grow faster than the US, but it will be many years before its average living standards approach those in Taiwan or South Korea. US oligarchs favor “democracy” as a sham that they are able to manipulate.

Posted by: greg | Nov 16 2023 18:10 utc | 210

“China’s net debt to GDP ratio (debt burden) is only 12% of the average in the G7 economies. The state holds huge financial assets;”
Posted by: bevin | Nov 16 2023 16:05 utc | 52
You have that the wrong way round the Chinese bonds are a liability of the Chinese government the asset side of the balance sheet is the savings held by the Chinese population. They could have debt to GDP over 250% of GDP and still solve the housing problem. See Japan for details.
So why do the Chinese population hold very little Chinese bonds ( The debt ) ? One can only guess. You would need to see how their pension system and savings incentives operate. If the poor countryside even have enough savings to buy them.
However, China holds HUGE amounts of other countries debt, US treasuries, UK gilts, Euro bonds, Russian bonds etc, etc, etc, why is that ?
They are a Massive exporter. They get paid in lots of different foreign currencies, UK buyers buy Chinese goods with GBP, but Chinese workers are paid in Yuan.
So China has a few options it is how all central banks operate.
1. They can hold the £’s they receive as a reserve balance at the BOE. Earn very little interest.
2. They can swap the £’s they receive for a UK government bond / gilt. Earn a little bit extra of interest.
3. They can buy UK goods and services sold in £’s. Or whatever they are allowed to buy like property and UK businesses what ever the rules are.
4. They can swap it for other currencies. UK buyers buy Chinese goods with GBP, but Chinese workers are paid in Yuan.
That’s it that is the 4 options China has. That is the 4 options all countries have that hold foreign currency at a foreign central bank.
Option 4. Highlights how the UK monetary system is a closed system.
If China wants to do this
£ ————–> Yuan.
In a floating exchange rate system then they need other people wanting to do this.
£ < -------------- Yaun. China gets the Yuan it wants to pay its workers. The other people who wanted the £'s get the £'s they want. Then have the exact same 4 choices China has when they held the £'s. So what just happened? The £'s never went anywhere, they never left the UK monetary system. All that happened was the names changed of who know holds the £'s instead of China. With pictures Trade and external finance mysteries – Part 1 https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=39282
Trade and external finance mysteries – Part 2
https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=39303
The reason exporters like to horde other countries currencies is that it helps to keep downward pressure on their own exchange rates. Remembering macro 101 that a strong currency can kill some of your exports.

Posted by: Echo Chamber | Nov 16 2023 18:14 utc | 211

“China’s net debt to GDP ratio (debt burden) is only 12% of the average in the G7 economies. The state holds huge financial assets;”
Posted by: bevin | Nov 16 2023 16:05 utc | 52
You have that the wrong way round the Chinese bonds are a liability of the Chinese government the asset side of the balance sheet is the savings held by the Chinese population. They could have debt to GDP over 250% of GDP and still solve the housing problem. See Japan for details.
So why do the Chinese population hold very little Chinese bonds ( The debt ) ? One can only guess. You would need to see how their pension system and savings incentives operate. If the poor countryside even have enough savings to buy them.
However, China holds HUGE amounts of other countries debt, US treasuries, UK gilts, Euro bonds, Russian bonds etc, etc, etc, why is that ?
They are a Massive exporter. They get paid in lots of different foreign currencies, UK buyers buy Chinese goods with GBP, but Chinese workers are paid in Yuan.
So China has a few options it is how all central banks operate.
1. They can hold the £’s they receive as a reserve balance at the BOE. Earn very little interest.
2. They can swap the £’s they receive for a UK government bond / gilt. Earn a little bit extra of interest.
3. They can buy UK goods and services sold in £’s. Or whatever they are allowed to buy like property and UK businesses what ever the rules are.
4. They can swap it for other currencies. UK buyers buy Chinese goods with GBP, but Chinese workers are paid in Yuan.
That’s it that is the 4 options China has. That is the 4 options all countries have that hold foreign currency at a foreign central bank.
Option 4. Highlights how the UK monetary system is a closed system.
If China wants to do this
£ ————–> Yuan.
In a floating exchange rate system then they need other people wanting to do this.
£ < -------------- Yaun. China gets the Yuan it wants to pay its workers. The other people who wanted the £'s get the £'s they want. Then have the exact same 4 choices China has when they held the £'s. So what just happened? The £'s never went anywhere, they never left the UK monetary system. All that happened was the names changed of who know holds the £'s instead of China. With pictures Trade and external finance mysteries – Part 1 https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=39282
Trade and external finance mysteries – Part 2
https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=39303
The reason exporters like to horde other countries currencies is that it helps to keep downward pressure on their own exchange rates. Remembering macro 101 that a strong currency can kill some of your exports.

Posted by: Echo Chamber | Nov 16 2023 18:14 utc | 212

it will be many years before its average living standards approach those in Taiwan or South Korea
Posted by: greg | Nov 16 2023 18:10 utc | 104
—
Contrary to the lived experience of many in the West “Living Standards” are not a one way street.

Posted by: too scents | Nov 16 2023 18:14 utc | 213

it will be many years before its average living standards approach those in Taiwan or South Korea
Posted by: greg | Nov 16 2023 18:10 utc | 104
—
Contrary to the lived experience of many in the West “Living Standards” are not a one way street.

Posted by: too scents | Nov 16 2023 18:14 utc | 214

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/92238

🇨🇳🇺🇸🇹🇼 US president Joe Biden informed the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, about Washington’s intention to continue supplying weapons to Taiwan, despite Beijing’s protests.
This was reported by John Kirby, the coordinator for strategic communications at the White House National Security Council.

Posted by: anon2020 | Nov 16 2023 18:20 utc | 215

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/92238

🇨🇳🇺🇸🇹🇼 US president Joe Biden informed the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, about Washington’s intention to continue supplying weapons to Taiwan, despite Beijing’s protests.
This was reported by John Kirby, the coordinator for strategic communications at the White House National Security Council.

Posted by: anon2020 | Nov 16 2023 18:20 utc | 216

Posted by: bevin | Nov 16 2023 16:05 utc | 52
Well worth your time and effort bevin. You will arrive back as a new man.
https://neweconomicperspectives.org/money-banking
Enjoy.
🙂
Free from ideology and politics and should be taught in every secondary school. Alas, they hide it in the dark and it is never taught to our children. Like mushrooms they would rather grow ideologues and idiots in the dark. They are easier to manipulate. Shout slogans and wave placards.

Posted by: Echo Chamber | Nov 16 2023 18:21 utc | 217

Posted by: bevin | Nov 16 2023 16:05 utc | 52
Well worth your time and effort bevin. You will arrive back as a new man.
https://neweconomicperspectives.org/money-banking
Enjoy.
🙂
Free from ideology and politics and should be taught in every secondary school. Alas, they hide it in the dark and it is never taught to our children. Like mushrooms they would rather grow ideologues and idiots in the dark. They are easier to manipulate. Shout slogans and wave placards.

Posted by: Echo Chamber | Nov 16 2023 18:21 utc | 218

We shouldn’t get on our high horse about democracy. The United States has one in name only. To have a true democracy, you have to offer meaningful choices and a press that is honest and objective – ie, the choices people make when they vote have to be informed. We have neither. Democracy is about more than just voter access.

Posted by: ian | Nov 16 2023 18:33 utc | 219

We shouldn’t get on our high horse about democracy. The United States has one in name only. To have a true democracy, you have to offer meaningful choices and a press that is honest and objective – ie, the choices people make when they vote have to be informed. We have neither. Democracy is about more than just voter access.

Posted by: ian | Nov 16 2023 18:33 utc | 220

bevin 52
” Chinese wages have not been eaten away by inflation”
Economists generally don’t speak the truth.
When Liz Truss wanted to curtail the criminal banksters ‘ freedoms wise old men in grey suits said the banksters would definitely crash the economy again if they could.
But when the US prepares a hegemonic catastrophe for Europe that causes 300 % inflation in Europe, the same wise old men fervently support it.
Why? Because the Trashing of Europe attacks Russia, who has a moral and political stranglehold on the Greater Israel Zionists. The Liz Truss alt Right wing dictatorship was swiftly blocked, but the Ukrainian and Zionist fascism are both enthusiastically promoted even though they are more expensive.
The definition of a dictator in US ‘ eyes is co-operation / non co-operation with US fiat currency. BRICS alternative currency is starting to terrify the US . Even Biden has enough braincells to remember this and kick against the pricks a bit.

Posted by: Giyane | Nov 16 2023 18:35 utc | 221

bevin 52
” Chinese wages have not been eaten away by inflation”
Economists generally don’t speak the truth.
When Liz Truss wanted to curtail the criminal banksters ‘ freedoms wise old men in grey suits said the banksters would definitely crash the economy again if they could.
But when the US prepares a hegemonic catastrophe for Europe that causes 300 % inflation in Europe, the same wise old men fervently support it.
Why? Because the Trashing of Europe attacks Russia, who has a moral and political stranglehold on the Greater Israel Zionists. The Liz Truss alt Right wing dictatorship was swiftly blocked, but the Ukrainian and Zionist fascism are both enthusiastically promoted even though they are more expensive.
The definition of a dictator in US ‘ eyes is co-operation / non co-operation with US fiat currency. BRICS alternative currency is starting to terrify the US . Even Biden has enough braincells to remember this and kick against the pricks a bit.

Posted by: Giyane | Nov 16 2023 18:35 utc | 222

Pepe Escobar, today:
“The fact is Xi knows all there is to know about imperial, rotating Hybrid War fronts, plus others that can be powered on at the flick of a switch. The Hegemon continues to provoke disturbance not only in Taiwan but in the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, India, and continues to flirt with possible color revolutions in Central Asia.”
Truth Meets the Werewolf.

Posted by: Elmagnostic | Nov 16 2023 18:40 utc | 223

Pepe Escobar, today:
“The fact is Xi knows all there is to know about imperial, rotating Hybrid War fronts, plus others that can be powered on at the flick of a switch. The Hegemon continues to provoke disturbance not only in Taiwan but in the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, India, and continues to flirt with possible color revolutions in Central Asia.”
Truth Meets the Werewolf.

Posted by: Elmagnostic | Nov 16 2023 18:40 utc | 224

I think it’s worth reposting something I posted on the non-non thread
I’d add this Q&A as it might add an additional layer
REPOST
Xi in the USA
From the official meeting there is limited interest
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/202311/t20231116_11181442.html
But Xi’s speech on a latter event is interesting
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/202311/t20231116_11181557.html
A certain warning about taiwan that the US bows to with the usual “one china” answer
Another about the containment/embargoes but no answer that I can see
Yet no serious warnings and globally a no, o not yet, to any confrontation
Posted by: newbie | Nov 16 2023 11:43 utc | 2

Posted by: newbie | Nov 16 2023 18:43 utc | 225

I think it’s worth reposting something I posted on the non-non thread
I’d add this Q&A as it might add an additional layer
REPOST
Xi in the USA
From the official meeting there is limited interest
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/202311/t20231116_11181442.html
But Xi’s speech on a latter event is interesting
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/202311/t20231116_11181557.html
A certain warning about taiwan that the US bows to with the usual “one china” answer
Another about the containment/embargoes but no answer that I can see
Yet no serious warnings and globally a no, o not yet, to any confrontation
Posted by: newbie | Nov 16 2023 11:43 utc | 2

Posted by: newbie | Nov 16 2023 18:43 utc | 226

Sorry, forgot the Q&A link
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/202311/t20231116_11181718.html
The official site has the advantage of knowing what and how china wants to tell what happened

Posted by: newbie | Nov 16 2023 18:44 utc | 227

Sorry, forgot the Q&A link
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/202311/t20231116_11181718.html
The official site has the advantage of knowing what and how china wants to tell what happened

Posted by: newbie | Nov 16 2023 18:44 utc | 228

“The CCP maintains a two thirds communist party and one third independent ratio in the NPC.
It’s neither properly democratic nor undemocratic. Those are western labels that represent western conventions that don’t really capture what China is doing.”
The same Wikipedia article cited by the commenter acknowledges that the Chinese Communist Party can stamp out any opposition that it wants to eliminate.

Posted by: greg | Nov 16 2023 18:44 utc | 229

“The CCP maintains a two thirds communist party and one third independent ratio in the NPC.
It’s neither properly democratic nor undemocratic. Those are western labels that represent western conventions that don’t really capture what China is doing.”
The same Wikipedia article cited by the commenter acknowledges that the Chinese Communist Party can stamp out any opposition that it wants to eliminate.

Posted by: greg | Nov 16 2023 18:44 utc | 230

@96 Cont’d–
Here’s a further Q&A posed by RT to Lavrov:

Question: How do you assess Egypt’s role in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict?
Sergey Lavrov: The summit convened by Cairo was the first event after the events of October 7 and what followed. It was important to show that the international community did not want to watch in silence, but to stop all military action, release all hostages, allow civilians from other countries to leave the area, and ensure peace and security for the people of the Gaza Strip.
Let me remind you about the West Bank of the Jordan River, where no one has formally declared hostilities. But there are also raids by the Israeli army, which does not add to the conditions for the beginning of the transition to peace and eventually (after all humanitarian problems have been resolved) to direct negotiations on the creation of a Palestinian state.
Cairo plays an important role in these processes. Its capabilities as a state and a global player go beyond the Middle East and the African continent. Egypt is already a global player.

On the issue of intervention, almost the entire world has intervened in some manner to try and halt the Gaza Genocide, but there’s been no massive military intervention to save the Gazans–yet.

Posted by: karlof1 | Nov 16 2023 18:45 utc | 231

@96 Cont’d–
Here’s a further Q&A posed by RT to Lavrov:

Question: How do you assess Egypt’s role in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict?
Sergey Lavrov: The summit convened by Cairo was the first event after the events of October 7 and what followed. It was important to show that the international community did not want to watch in silence, but to stop all military action, release all hostages, allow civilians from other countries to leave the area, and ensure peace and security for the people of the Gaza Strip.
Let me remind you about the West Bank of the Jordan River, where no one has formally declared hostilities. But there are also raids by the Israeli army, which does not add to the conditions for the beginning of the transition to peace and eventually (after all humanitarian problems have been resolved) to direct negotiations on the creation of a Palestinian state.
Cairo plays an important role in these processes. Its capabilities as a state and a global player go beyond the Middle East and the African continent. Egypt is already a global player.

On the issue of intervention, almost the entire world has intervened in some manner to try and halt the Gaza Genocide, but there’s been no massive military intervention to save the Gazans–yet.

Posted by: karlof1 | Nov 16 2023 18:45 utc | 232

Those talking about technology are amusingly off base. They ignore the most critical technologies are military and communications and in those sectors Russia and China are years if not decades ahead.

But bottom line is that if you are behind the tech curve in the key sectors you will -never- -ever- catch up and the prognosis can be backed with fairly reasonable models.

Purest hubris. Where are you getting the idea China is behind and will no catch up? Photolithography? Give China 5 years her die size will be smaller than ours with more transistors.
Times have changed. Tell me about Maerican quantum radars, about photon entanglement, about hypersonics and working airframes and nuclear deterrents. Maerica is one shaggy looking donkey well past her prime.

Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Nov 16 2023 18:47 utc | 233

Those talking about technology are amusingly off base. They ignore the most critical technologies are military and communications and in those sectors Russia and China are years if not decades ahead.

But bottom line is that if you are behind the tech curve in the key sectors you will -never- -ever- catch up and the prognosis can be backed with fairly reasonable models.

Purest hubris. Where are you getting the idea China is behind and will no catch up? Photolithography? Give China 5 years her die size will be smaller than ours with more transistors.
Times have changed. Tell me about Maerican quantum radars, about photon entanglement, about hypersonics and working airframes and nuclear deterrents. Maerica is one shaggy looking donkey well past her prime.

Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Nov 16 2023 18:47 utc | 234

To assess the postmortem outcome of this summit, one must scan both sides of the participant media commentaries to get a picture of the respective perceptions of how it went. Barflies here have plenty access to western MSM reports, but few would scan the Chinese side. I did, and came away with the impression that they didn’t place too much expectation in the summit to start with, and didn’t appear to be either optimistic nor disappointed on how it went. It seems the event went as they anticipated. So, this confirmed my own suspicion to start with, that Xi agreed to this meeting as a perfunctory exercise of big power diplomacy, to placate the minds and expectations of RoW and commercial sector audiences that China is not interested in direct conflict with the hegemon as yet. It is a futile friendly gesture in hope of perhaps some positive outcomes, but China doesn’t really have nothing to lose. In some minds perhaps it is viewed as China losing some face, but others’ impression of China is not a high priority in the minds of China’s leadership. In other words, China is not vain.
The commentaries of China’s press, including those published outside of China proper such as Hong Kong and Taiwan, only stressed Xi’s opinion that the future of Chinese-American relationship depends on their people-to-people interaction, not on their respective governments. The message is loud and clear: China don’t give a damn about western leadership!

Posted by: Oriental Voice | Nov 16 2023 18:47 utc | 235

To assess the postmortem outcome of this summit, one must scan both sides of the participant media commentaries to get a picture of the respective perceptions of how it went. Barflies here have plenty access to western MSM reports, but few would scan the Chinese side. I did, and came away with the impression that they didn’t place too much expectation in the summit to start with, and didn’t appear to be either optimistic nor disappointed on how it went. It seems the event went as they anticipated. So, this confirmed my own suspicion to start with, that Xi agreed to this meeting as a perfunctory exercise of big power diplomacy, to placate the minds and expectations of RoW and commercial sector audiences that China is not interested in direct conflict with the hegemon as yet. It is a futile friendly gesture in hope of perhaps some positive outcomes, but China doesn’t really have nothing to lose. In some minds perhaps it is viewed as China losing some face, but others’ impression of China is not a high priority in the minds of China’s leadership. In other words, China is not vain.
The commentaries of China’s press, including those published outside of China proper such as Hong Kong and Taiwan, only stressed Xi’s opinion that the future of Chinese-American relationship depends on their people-to-people interaction, not on their respective governments. The message is loud and clear: China don’t give a damn about western leadership!

Posted by: Oriental Voice | Nov 16 2023 18:47 utc | 236

The same Wikipedia article cited by the commenter acknowledges that the Chinese Communist Party can stamp out any opposition that it wants to eliminate.
Posted by: greg | Nov 16 2023 18:44 utc | 114
seems that the same is true in Germany yet no one claims that their Egghead son-of-a-nazi Chancellor is “a DickTater!”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/germany-afd-surveillance-extremism-far-right/2021/03/03/ba76e656-7c1e-11eb-8c5e-32e47b42b51b_story.html

Posted by: UpToEleven | Nov 16 2023 18:48 utc | 237

The same Wikipedia article cited by the commenter acknowledges that the Chinese Communist Party can stamp out any opposition that it wants to eliminate.
Posted by: greg | Nov 16 2023 18:44 utc | 114
seems that the same is true in Germany yet no one claims that their Egghead son-of-a-nazi Chancellor is “a DickTater!”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/germany-afd-surveillance-extremism-far-right/2021/03/03/ba76e656-7c1e-11eb-8c5e-32e47b42b51b_story.html

Posted by: UpToEleven | Nov 16 2023 18:48 utc | 238

“Mr. Xi, do you trust Biden? ” The embarrassed Biden took off his ear-phone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCPeuuluyBA

Posted by: KitaySupporter | Nov 16 2023 18:49 utc | 239

“Mr. Xi, do you trust Biden? ” The embarrassed Biden took off his ear-phone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCPeuuluyBA

Posted by: KitaySupporter | Nov 16 2023 18:49 utc | 240

I meant to add it doesn’t matter how fancy your chips are if the code running on it is bloated trash and or what the code does was conceived by imbeciles to begin with. These better Maerican chips will run what exactly? So that tiny little edge will be lost more or less immediately.
You know, the whole ball point pens versus pencils in space thing. I’m reminded of the new Boeing autopilot and the recent Minuteman failure. Maerican engineering isn’t what it once was.

Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Nov 16 2023 18:50 utc | 241

I meant to add it doesn’t matter how fancy your chips are if the code running on it is bloated trash and or what the code does was conceived by imbeciles to begin with. These better Maerican chips will run what exactly? So that tiny little edge will be lost more or less immediately.
You know, the whole ball point pens versus pencils in space thing. I’m reminded of the new Boeing autopilot and the recent Minuteman failure. Maerican engineering isn’t what it once was.

Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Nov 16 2023 18:50 utc | 242

Obviously any western imperialist critique of China is worthless crap, but are you saying that any critique of the Chinese government is useless?
Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Nov 16 2023 17:12 utc | 81
Think of it this way. You have a car for sale and George shows an interest in buying your car. In attempting to sell the car, would it be good to start the conversation by telling George everything you don’t like about George? No, it would not. Why? Because it could mess up the car sale. So, you are well advised to not get into your don’t like George rant. Not if you want to sell the car. The same thing applies to Biden. Biden should not be telling Xi what he doesn’t like about him immediately prior to a meeting with Xi.
Posted by: Jmaas | Nov 16 2023 18:00 utc | 98
Yes, I caught that when I said: Obviously any western imperialist critique of China is worthless crap.
However there is also a class critique of China which is valid and necessary. You seemed to make a sweeping claim that suggested any critique of China was worthlessness. That’s what I was interested in.

Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Nov 16 2023 18:51 utc | 243

Obviously any western imperialist critique of China is worthless crap, but are you saying that any critique of the Chinese government is useless?
Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Nov 16 2023 17:12 utc | 81
Think of it this way. You have a car for sale and George shows an interest in buying your car. In attempting to sell the car, would it be good to start the conversation by telling George everything you don’t like about George? No, it would not. Why? Because it could mess up the car sale. So, you are well advised to not get into your don’t like George rant. Not if you want to sell the car. The same thing applies to Biden. Biden should not be telling Xi what he doesn’t like about him immediately prior to a meeting with Xi.
Posted by: Jmaas | Nov 16 2023 18:00 utc | 98
Yes, I caught that when I said: Obviously any western imperialist critique of China is worthless crap.
However there is also a class critique of China which is valid and necessary. You seemed to make a sweeping claim that suggested any critique of China was worthlessness. That’s what I was interested in.

Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Nov 16 2023 18:51 utc | 244

One guy is trying to jail his top competitor in an upcoming election by means of the intelligence agencies and political appointees in the courts. The other guy is Xi Jinping.
Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Nov 16 2023 15:51 utc | 43
And both guys *did* and *are continuing to* jail the greatest journalist of the 21st century named Julian Assange for having the temerity to expose truths about Empire.
Ironically, this is the exact same thing both guys and their rabid followers continue to accuse China (and any other country that doesn’t embrace USSA style freedumb and Dumbocrazy) of doing to journos.

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Nov 16 2023 18:52 utc | 245

One guy is trying to jail his top competitor in an upcoming election by means of the intelligence agencies and political appointees in the courts. The other guy is Xi Jinping.
Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Nov 16 2023 15:51 utc | 43
And both guys *did* and *are continuing to* jail the greatest journalist of the 21st century named Julian Assange for having the temerity to expose truths about Empire.
Ironically, this is the exact same thing both guys and their rabid followers continue to accuse China (and any other country that doesn’t embrace USSA style freedumb and Dumbocrazy) of doing to journos.

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Nov 16 2023 18:52 utc | 246

The same Wikipedia article cited by the commenter acknowledges that the Chinese Communist Party can stamp out any opposition that it wants to eliminate.
Posted by: greg | Nov 16 2023 18:44 utc | 114
Typical American ignorance. The Chinese Communist Party represents all Chinese and listens to all of their voices. Therefore if it “stamps out” any “opposition” it is doing so according to the will of the people. But let’s take the time to define “stamp out” and then define “opposition” – Your turn….

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Nov 16 2023 18:55 utc | 247

The same Wikipedia article cited by the commenter acknowledges that the Chinese Communist Party can stamp out any opposition that it wants to eliminate.
Posted by: greg | Nov 16 2023 18:44 utc | 114
Typical American ignorance. The Chinese Communist Party represents all Chinese and listens to all of their voices. Therefore if it “stamps out” any “opposition” it is doing so according to the will of the people. But let’s take the time to define “stamp out” and then define “opposition” – Your turn….

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Nov 16 2023 18:55 utc | 248

I really can’t see the difference between NEP and China today: in both cases, Communists, in order to preserve the power that they used to root out and destroy capitalism and class exploitation, were forced by circumstance- military aggression the international division of labour, famine- to re-enter international markets.
Posted by: bevin | Nov 16 2023 17:40 utc | 93
Well it remains to be seen if that is what they are doing. Reminds me of Zhou EnLai’s quote on the French Revolution: too soon to tell.

Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Nov 16 2023 18:55 utc | 249

I really can’t see the difference between NEP and China today: in both cases, Communists, in order to preserve the power that they used to root out and destroy capitalism and class exploitation, were forced by circumstance- military aggression the international division of labour, famine- to re-enter international markets.
Posted by: bevin | Nov 16 2023 17:40 utc | 93
Well it remains to be seen if that is what they are doing. Reminds me of Zhou EnLai’s quote on the French Revolution: too soon to tell.

Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Nov 16 2023 18:55 utc | 250

childish provocations and the semantics debate
Posted by: CoffinJoe | Nov 16 2023 18:04 utc | 100
Remarks by President Biden at a Welcome Reception for APEC Leaders

[…]
You know, I — to digress just a second, I was with Xi Jinping today. And — and I showed him a photograph that he’s extremely proud of. When he was a young man — I think he was 32 — maybe 28, 30 years old, in that range. And he was — hey, how you doing, man?
He was actually standing on the Golden Gate Bridge. He had come to visit. And he said — and I looked at the picture. I said, “I wanted to show you a picture.” He said, “I like that picture. I like the…” Well, he was translated to say, “I like that picture.”
So, he’s been coming here. And one of the things I pointed out to him is that you have one of the largest Chinese populations in America here. And he was — he feels like he’s going home here. (Laughter.)
You know, we’ve got — is Nancy here tonight? Nancy Pelosi? (Applause.) Nancy, you are the finest Speaker of the House in American history. (Applause.) No, you are. You are, Nancy. Thank God. I tell you what, you’re the very best, Nancy. Thank you, thank you for all you do. (Applause.)
[…]

and that’s just the first 3 minutes

Posted by: sln2002 | Nov 16 2023 18:56 utc | 251

childish provocations and the semantics debate
Posted by: CoffinJoe | Nov 16 2023 18:04 utc | 100
Remarks by President Biden at a Welcome Reception for APEC Leaders

[…]
You know, I — to digress just a second, I was with Xi Jinping today. And — and I showed him a photograph that he’s extremely proud of. When he was a young man — I think he was 32 — maybe 28, 30 years old, in that range. And he was — hey, how you doing, man?
He was actually standing on the Golden Gate Bridge. He had come to visit. And he said — and I looked at the picture. I said, “I wanted to show you a picture.” He said, “I like that picture. I like the…” Well, he was translated to say, “I like that picture.”
So, he’s been coming here. And one of the things I pointed out to him is that you have one of the largest Chinese populations in America here. And he was — he feels like he’s going home here. (Laughter.)
You know, we’ve got — is Nancy here tonight? Nancy Pelosi? (Applause.) Nancy, you are the finest Speaker of the House in American history. (Applause.) No, you are. You are, Nancy. Thank God. I tell you what, you’re the very best, Nancy. Thank you, thank you for all you do. (Applause.)
[…]

and that’s just the first 3 minutes

Posted by: sln2002 | Nov 16 2023 18:56 utc | 252

A note posted By Escobar at his Telegram:

From Silk Road to cyberspace: Valdai International Discussion Club and East China Normal University meet in Shanghai
Highlighting the significance of this cooperation, the Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov stated, “On virtually all global issues, our countries have overlapping or very close positions. The relationship between Russia and China will only be strengthened and develop further.”
The scientific conference on “Crisis and Global Transformation: China and Russia Facing the Challenges of a Changing World Order” is running from November 16 to 17.

Also noted was a tweet by Selina Wang, “American television journalist and reporter, who has served as senior White House Correspondent for ABC News since August 2023,” saying:

In the room during Biden-Xi meeting.
After their opening remarks, I asked Xi Jinping in mandarin: “do you trust Biden?”
He took out his translation earpiece to hear my question, looked at me, but didn’t respond.

IMO, that non-answer equals no.

Posted by: karlof1 | Nov 16 2023 19:04 utc | 253

A note posted By Escobar at his Telegram:

From Silk Road to cyberspace: Valdai International Discussion Club and East China Normal University meet in Shanghai
Highlighting the significance of this cooperation, the Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov stated, “On virtually all global issues, our countries have overlapping or very close positions. The relationship between Russia and China will only be strengthened and develop further.”
The scientific conference on “Crisis and Global Transformation: China and Russia Facing the Challenges of a Changing World Order” is running from November 16 to 17.

Also noted was a tweet by Selina Wang, “American television journalist and reporter, who has served as senior White House Correspondent for ABC News since August 2023,” saying:

In the room during Biden-Xi meeting.
After their opening remarks, I asked Xi Jinping in mandarin: “do you trust Biden?”
He took out his translation earpiece to hear my question, looked at me, but didn’t respond.

IMO, that non-answer equals no.

Posted by: karlof1 | Nov 16 2023 19:04 utc | 254

If the people see that the development of the country is taking a stable direction for the people as a whole, at least in the medium term, a direction which is reasonable in perspective and which also preserves the prospect of prosperity for the next generation, they will consider even an absolute monarchy to be democratic …

Posted by: Humml | Nov 16 2023 19:08 utc | 255

If the people see that the development of the country is taking a stable direction for the people as a whole, at least in the medium term, a direction which is reasonable in perspective and which also preserves the prospect of prosperity for the next generation, they will consider even an absolute monarchy to be democratic …

Posted by: Humml | Nov 16 2023 19:08 utc | 256

Why the hell did President Xi agree to this visit?

Posted by: Jan Sobieski | Nov 16 2023 19:14 utc | 257

Why the hell did President Xi agree to this visit?

Posted by: Jan Sobieski | Nov 16 2023 19:14 utc | 258

does anyone?

Posted by: Not Ewe | Nov 16 2023 19:17 utc | 259

does anyone?

Posted by: Not Ewe | Nov 16 2023 19:17 utc | 260

While Biden’s observation is objectively true, his timing and framing of his words could not be any worse.

Posted by: Monos | Nov 16 2023 19:17 utc | 261

While Biden’s observation is objectively true, his timing and framing of his words could not be any worse.

Posted by: Monos | Nov 16 2023 19:17 utc | 262

look at Blinkens respons to Bidens insult
https://twitter.com/i/status/1725072055211634699

Posted by: Paul from Norway | Nov 16 2023 19:19 utc | 263

look at Blinkens respons to Bidens insult
https://twitter.com/i/status/1725072055211634699

Posted by: Paul from Norway | Nov 16 2023 19:19 utc | 264

Echo Chamber | Nov 16 2023 18:14 utc | 105
Your quarrel is with Michael Roberts- good luck.

Posted by: bevin | Nov 16 2023 19:19 utc | 265

Echo Chamber | Nov 16 2023 18:14 utc | 105
Your quarrel is with Michael Roberts- good luck.

Posted by: bevin | Nov 16 2023 19:19 utc | 266

Savings are an export product.
By focussing on a country, with fixed borders and a consolidated ‘Rest of World’, most appear to miss the subtleties in play that become apparent when you look at the issue from a different point of view. The classic one is believing that foreign ssvings is quite different from domestic savings. It really isn’t that different at all.
There is little difference between somebody holding, say, Sterling Savings in Birmingham, Alabama from somebody holding Sterling Savings in Birmingham, England. Foreign entities are holding your currency as savings. Similarly, financial products denominated in your currency are held as savings. Savings are, in effect, an export product of your currency area.
Sovereign wealth funds rely upon your export of savings to exist. The Norwegian Wealth Fund allows Norway to supply oil (and the odd salmon) in exchange for savings products. The Wealth Fund has no policy other than to accumulate savings products over time — which gives it a huge amount on the asset side of its national balance sheet. Norges Bank can then discount this asset into Krone for its domestic money supply purposes.
Let’s say the Chinese elect the Hedonistic party that promises to swap their huge hoard of savings for actual stuff and blow it all on imports. What is all that spending going to do to your own economy? It is going to cause an export boom.
Will that stop or reduce domestic spending in your currency area?
Probably not, because if your investment expansion caused by the boom is insufficient to handle the load, you can always rely on that circuit breaker — more imports.
It goes something like this:
The Chinese order stuff from your currency area backed with their hoard of savings. Your economy ships stuff to the Chinese in return for their savings in your currency.Your Exporters have an income and pay people.Those people then start to buy stuff. Other nations on the planet — running export led policies — spot the wealth in your nation and turn up in their droves to sell their wares. You buy imports and they keep the profits as savings (possibly in their own sovereign wealth fund).
The net effect is that the Chinese reduce their savings in your currency and other export-led economies run up savings in your currency. So you spread the Chinese demand around the planet to the extent that you can’t satisfy it yourself.
But let’s say that, for some reason, nobody wants your savings — even though there is a boom on and everybody is making loads of money.
So you can’t rely on imports, or foreign direct investment, because the rest of the world has developed ‘mainstream economics’ disease and desperately wants to preserve a dying model they fervently believe in even though it makes no rational sense whatsoever to expect multiple independent nations to behave in unison this way.
Surely now your domestic consumers are going to suffer under the relentless demands of the hard partying Chinese ?
But what political party is going to favour foreigners over residents who actually vote for them? Only those no hopers who have zero chance of ever getting elected.
A party in government — having encouraged the private sector to automate, innovate and invest as much as it can — would put in place export restrictions. One such approach would be a volume restriction. You would issue Chinese export licences to a set value in Sterling and auction them off to the highest bidder.
That makes servicing export orders more expensive than servicing domestic orders and firms will start to take that into account when they decide to accept an order. There are many other approaches, including: restricting withdrawals from Sterling accounts owned by foreign entities, large fees for exports, and randomly delaying exports in customs so firms don’t know when they’ll get paid (this one may already be in place). Or just issue Granny bonds to the domestic population ONLY – linked to the retail price index for costing living purposes. With a 10% bonus if held by households for more than 5 years. Free from both income tax and capital gain tax as taxes fund nothing anyway.
Since no debt is issued at all to foreigners moving forward. They are left with a reserve balance at the BOE. Foreign holders of Sterling hold that money for neo-mercantile purposes due to a belief in ‘export-led growth’. They need to spend it, invest it properly, or be left, once again, with the default investment of a Sterling deposit in a bank. There is no reason why UK workers should be propping up capital values in the Norwegian Global Pension Fund (or any other foreign pension fund or central bank) with public interest payments.
Government bonds are nothing more than tradeable welfare payments, and welfare payments should be democratically targeted not market purchasable.
What about the currency effects, you might ask. Well if an economy is in boom time, exporting like crazy and making profit hand over fist, is the currency going to be strong or weak at that point? – Exactly!
Now that the ‘bond market vigilantes myth’ has been slain over 3O years ago. The ‘foreign debt holders’ myth has sprung up in its place. It’s just another excuse to maintain the globalist, creditor first viewpoint and to try and stop politicians being elected that put the public good of the domestic population first.
I’ve just solved Trump’s problem with the Chinese in a few paragraphs.
Savings are an export product
https://new-wayland.com/blog/savings-are-an-export-product/

Posted by: Echo Chamber | Nov 16 2023 19:20 utc | 267

Savings are an export product.
By focussing on a country, with fixed borders and a consolidated ‘Rest of World’, most appear to miss the subtleties in play that become apparent when you look at the issue from a different point of view. The classic one is believing that foreign ssvings is quite different from domestic savings. It really isn’t that different at all.
There is little difference between somebody holding, say, Sterling Savings in Birmingham, Alabama from somebody holding Sterling Savings in Birmingham, England. Foreign entities are holding your currency as savings. Similarly, financial products denominated in your currency are held as savings. Savings are, in effect, an export product of your currency area.
Sovereign wealth funds rely upon your export of savings to exist. The Norwegian Wealth Fund allows Norway to supply oil (and the odd salmon) in exchange for savings products. The Wealth Fund has no policy other than to accumulate savings products over time — which gives it a huge amount on the asset side of its national balance sheet. Norges Bank can then discount this asset into Krone for its domestic money supply purposes.
Let’s say the Chinese elect the Hedonistic party that promises to swap their huge hoard of savings for actual stuff and blow it all on imports. What is all that spending going to do to your own economy? It is going to cause an export boom.
Will that stop or reduce domestic spending in your currency area?
Probably not, because if your investment expansion caused by the boom is insufficient to handle the load, you can always rely on that circuit breaker — more imports.
It goes something like this:
The Chinese order stuff from your currency area backed with their hoard of savings. Your economy ships stuff to the Chinese in return for their savings in your currency.Your Exporters have an income and pay people.Those people then start to buy stuff. Other nations on the planet — running export led policies — spot the wealth in your nation and turn up in their droves to sell their wares. You buy imports and they keep the profits as savings (possibly in their own sovereign wealth fund).
The net effect is that the Chinese reduce their savings in your currency and other export-led economies run up savings in your currency. So you spread the Chinese demand around the planet to the extent that you can’t satisfy it yourself.
But let’s say that, for some reason, nobody wants your savings — even though there is a boom on and everybody is making loads of money.
So you can’t rely on imports, or foreign direct investment, because the rest of the world has developed ‘mainstream economics’ disease and desperately wants to preserve a dying model they fervently believe in even though it makes no rational sense whatsoever to expect multiple independent nations to behave in unison this way.
Surely now your domestic consumers are going to suffer under the relentless demands of the hard partying Chinese ?
But what political party is going to favour foreigners over residents who actually vote for them? Only those no hopers who have zero chance of ever getting elected.
A party in government — having encouraged the private sector to automate, innovate and invest as much as it can — would put in place export restrictions. One such approach would be a volume restriction. You would issue Chinese export licences to a set value in Sterling and auction them off to the highest bidder.
That makes servicing export orders more expensive than servicing domestic orders and firms will start to take that into account when they decide to accept an order. There are many other approaches, including: restricting withdrawals from Sterling accounts owned by foreign entities, large fees for exports, and randomly delaying exports in customs so firms don’t know when they’ll get paid (this one may already be in place). Or just issue Granny bonds to the domestic population ONLY – linked to the retail price index for costing living purposes. With a 10% bonus if held by households for more than 5 years. Free from both income tax and capital gain tax as taxes fund nothing anyway.
Since no debt is issued at all to foreigners moving forward. They are left with a reserve balance at the BOE. Foreign holders of Sterling hold that money for neo-mercantile purposes due to a belief in ‘export-led growth’. They need to spend it, invest it properly, or be left, once again, with the default investment of a Sterling deposit in a bank. There is no reason why UK workers should be propping up capital values in the Norwegian Global Pension Fund (or any other foreign pension fund or central bank) with public interest payments.
Government bonds are nothing more than tradeable welfare payments, and welfare payments should be democratically targeted not market purchasable.
What about the currency effects, you might ask. Well if an economy is in boom time, exporting like crazy and making profit hand over fist, is the currency going to be strong or weak at that point? – Exactly!
Now that the ‘bond market vigilantes myth’ has been slain over 3O years ago. The ‘foreign debt holders’ myth has sprung up in its place. It’s just another excuse to maintain the globalist, creditor first viewpoint and to try and stop politicians being elected that put the public good of the domestic population first.
I’ve just solved Trump’s problem with the Chinese in a few paragraphs.
Savings are an export product
https://new-wayland.com/blog/savings-are-an-export-product/

Posted by: Echo Chamber | Nov 16 2023 19:20 utc | 268

As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
At this point, Xi Jinping should hang himself in shame.
Why does the Chinese leadership continue to bother with the cretins in Washington? They’ll never change.
China should dump all the treasury bonds, ban the dollar from it’s international trade and tell Washington to go jump off a cliff. As the rest of the world to much of whom China is the leading trade partner, the choice is between worthless paper called dollar and real goods from China.
That’s a no brainer.

Posted by: FieryButMostPeaceful | Nov 16 2023 19:20 utc | 269

As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
At this point, Xi Jinping should hang himself in shame.
Why does the Chinese leadership continue to bother with the cretins in Washington? They’ll never change.
China should dump all the treasury bonds, ban the dollar from it’s international trade and tell Washington to go jump off a cliff. As the rest of the world to much of whom China is the leading trade partner, the choice is between worthless paper called dollar and real goods from China.
That’s a no brainer.

Posted by: FieryButMostPeaceful | Nov 16 2023 19:20 utc | 270

As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
At this point, Xi Jinping should hang himself in shame.
Why does the Chinese leadership continue to bother with the cretins in Washington? They’ll never change.
China should dump all the treasury bonds, ban the dollar from it’s international trade and tell Washington to go jump off a cliff. As the rest of the world to much of whom China is the leading trade partner, the choice is between worthless paper called dollar and real goods from China.
That’s a no brainer.

Posted by: FieryButMostPeaceful | Nov 16 2023 19:20 utc | 271

As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
At this point, Xi Jinping should hang himself in shame.
Why does the Chinese leadership continue to bother with the cretins in Washington? They’ll never change.
China should dump all the treasury bonds, ban the dollar from it’s international trade and tell Washington to go jump off a cliff. As the rest of the world to much of whom China is the leading trade partner, the choice is between worthless paper called dollar and real goods from China.
That’s a no brainer.

Posted by: FieryButMostPeaceful | Nov 16 2023 19:20 utc | 272

@128 jan
Because it is quid pro quo.
Or more importantly: “I die, you die.”
Globalism itself is a giant Sampson option where the Tower of Babel collapsed and left ruin in its wake.
No wonder Abram got the hell out of there while there was still time.

Posted by: NemesisCalling | Nov 16 2023 19:20 utc | 273

@128 jan
Because it is quid pro quo.
Or more importantly: “I die, you die.”
Globalism itself is a giant Sampson option where the Tower of Babel collapsed and left ruin in its wake.
No wonder Abram got the hell out of there while there was still time.

Posted by: NemesisCalling | Nov 16 2023 19:20 utc | 274

“..Well it remains to be seen if that is what they are doing. Reminds me of Zhou EnLai’s quote on the French Revolution: too soon to tell.” Ahenobarbus@124
No argument there- green is the tree of life.
As to Chou, at the risk of being pedantic, I believe that Chou was actually quoting Arnold Toynbee who, according to Wikipedia (sometimes a great notion), died at the age of the 30 oppressed by the heretical nature of Henry George’s Progress and Poverty. He also had meningitis.

Posted by: bevin | Nov 16 2023 19:28 utc | 275

“..Well it remains to be seen if that is what they are doing. Reminds me of Zhou EnLai’s quote on the French Revolution: too soon to tell.” Ahenobarbus@124
No argument there- green is the tree of life.
As to Chou, at the risk of being pedantic, I believe that Chou was actually quoting Arnold Toynbee who, according to Wikipedia (sometimes a great notion), died at the age of the 30 oppressed by the heretical nature of Henry George’s Progress and Poverty. He also had meningitis.

Posted by: bevin | Nov 16 2023 19:28 utc | 276

Why the hell did President Xi agree to this visit?
Posted by: Jan Sobieski | Nov 16 2023 19:14 utc | 128
Hello?
Xi agreed to this meeting as a perfunctory exercise of big power diplomacy, to placate the minds and expectations of RoW and commercial sector audiences that China is not interested in direct conflict with the hegemon as yet.
Posted by: Oriental Voice | Nov 16 2023 18:47 utc | 117

Posted by: sln2002 | Nov 16 2023 19:29 utc | 277

Why the hell did President Xi agree to this visit?
Posted by: Jan Sobieski | Nov 16 2023 19:14 utc | 128
Hello?
Xi agreed to this meeting as a perfunctory exercise of big power diplomacy, to placate the minds and expectations of RoW and commercial sector audiences that China is not interested in direct conflict with the hegemon as yet.
Posted by: Oriental Voice | Nov 16 2023 18:47 utc | 117

Posted by: sln2002 | Nov 16 2023 19:29 utc | 278

Paul from Norway | Nov 16 2023 19:19 utc | 130
Blinken’s actions/nervousness when when Dementia was speaking to the public, I’ve seen a number of different short clips, It seems the US may be looking at trying to mend fences a bit.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 16 2023 19:38 utc | 279

Paul from Norway | Nov 16 2023 19:19 utc | 130
Blinken’s actions/nervousness when when Dementia was speaking to the public, I’ve seen a number of different short clips, It seems the US may be looking at trying to mend fences a bit.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 16 2023 19:38 utc | 280

Posted by: Erelis | Nov 16 2023 18:05 utc | 102
Paying guests? I hope not.

Gina Raimondo, U.S. Commerce Secretary
Nicholas Burns, U.S. Ambassador to China

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Posted by: sln2002 | Nov 16 2023 19:39 utc | 281

Posted by: Erelis | Nov 16 2023 18:05 utc | 102
Paying guests? I hope not.

Gina Raimondo, U.S. Commerce Secretary
Nicholas Burns, U.S. Ambassador to China

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Posted by: sln2002 | Nov 16 2023 19:39 utc | 282

@Paul from Norway #130
I saw the same at https://t.me/levigodman/11718. You can clearly see in Blinken’s face that Biden’s serial fuckups are making his job miserable.

Posted by: xor | Nov 16 2023 19:40 utc | 283

@Paul from Norway #130
I saw the same at https://t.me/levigodman/11718. You can clearly see in Blinken’s face that Biden’s serial fuckups are making his job miserable.

Posted by: xor | Nov 16 2023 19:40 utc | 284

@karlof1 | Nov 16 2023 19:04 utc | 126
“On virtually all global issues, our countries [Russia & China] have overlapping or very close positions.
While others are covering Gaza sufficiently I have been spending my time on China-Philippines-US in the South China Sea. And the ambassador’s “very close positions” phrase is literally true for both Russia and China.
Russia has to deal with the Ukraine close position which brought forth the SMO, while China has to deal with the US-backed Philippines on the edge of its defense zone in the South China Sea. This could easily slip into a war as the US prattles about its ironclad support just like with Ukraine. Except given the weak Philippines the US would have to (unwillingly) be a party to the hostilities, so that might force the US to back down.

Posted by: Don Bacon | Nov 16 2023 19:41 utc | 285

@karlof1 | Nov 16 2023 19:04 utc | 126
“On virtually all global issues, our countries [Russia & China] have overlapping or very close positions.
While others are covering Gaza sufficiently I have been spending my time on China-Philippines-US in the South China Sea. And the ambassador’s “very close positions” phrase is literally true for both Russia and China.
Russia has to deal with the Ukraine close position which brought forth the SMO, while China has to deal with the US-backed Philippines on the edge of its defense zone in the South China Sea. This could easily slip into a war as the US prattles about its ironclad support just like with Ukraine. Except given the weak Philippines the US would have to (unwillingly) be a party to the hostilities, so that might force the US to back down.

Posted by: Don Bacon | Nov 16 2023 19:41 utc | 286

Jan Sobieski | Nov 16 2023 19:14 utc | 128
“Why the hell did President Xi agree to this visit?”
Xi didn’t go to the US to talk with Biden and Blinken, but with the real rulers of the US; the Billionaires, the Corporations and the Bankers. Who gave him a standing ovation.

Posted by: Stonebird | Nov 16 2023 19:56 utc | 287

Jan Sobieski | Nov 16 2023 19:14 utc | 128
“Why the hell did President Xi agree to this visit?”
Xi didn’t go to the US to talk with Biden and Blinken, but with the real rulers of the US; the Billionaires, the Corporations and the Bankers. Who gave him a standing ovation.

Posted by: Stonebird | Nov 16 2023 19:56 utc | 288

look at Blinkens respons to Bidens insult

Enjoyed this thanks for the link.

Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Nov 16 2023 19:57 utc | 289

look at Blinkens respons to Bidens insult

Enjoyed this thanks for the link.

Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Nov 16 2023 19:57 utc | 290

You can clearly see in Blinken’s face that Biden’s serial fuckups are making his job miserable.
Posted by: xor | Nov 16 2023 19:40 utc | 140
—
Blinken’s Puppet is old and broken.
Blinken’s WestExec Advisors is the Biden White House.
Biden Cabinet Picks Face Scrutiny Over Ties to WestExec Firm ==> https://archive.ph/vxJeE
Original link ==> https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-cabinet-picks-face-scrutiny-over-ties-to-westexec-firm-11606331281

Posted by: too scents | Nov 16 2023 19:58 utc | 291

You can clearly see in Blinken’s face that Biden’s serial fuckups are making his job miserable.
Posted by: xor | Nov 16 2023 19:40 utc | 140
—
Blinken’s Puppet is old and broken.
Blinken’s WestExec Advisors is the Biden White House.
Biden Cabinet Picks Face Scrutiny Over Ties to WestExec Firm ==> https://archive.ph/vxJeE
Original link ==> https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-cabinet-picks-face-scrutiny-over-ties-to-westexec-firm-11606331281

Posted by: too scents | Nov 16 2023 19:58 utc | 292

Who was the tool who asked Biden that question? They had to know it was likely Biden would say something stupid because he can barely think, never mind think several steps ahead. The White House press gang ought to know better than to torpedo relations again after all the work that went into mending them.

Posted by: Mark | Nov 16 2023 20:00 utc | 293

Who was the tool who asked Biden that question? They had to know it was likely Biden would say something stupid because he can barely think, never mind think several steps ahead. The White House press gang ought to know better than to torpedo relations again after all the work that went into mending them.

Posted by: Mark | Nov 16 2023 20:00 utc | 294

Posted by: Erelis | Nov 16 2023 18:05 utc | 102
Yes, the real action was the dinner for business chiefs, not the sideshow of Xi having to put up with an addled geriatric zombie who probably didn’t recognize what decade it is.
Presumably Xi only agreed to talk to the porridge-for-brains leader of clown nation because refusing to do so while already in town for the APEC summit wouldn’t have been polite.
The dinner was clearly a pay-to-play event. Note the CEO of Boeing was there; still trying to get China to take delivery of his death trap MAX flying coffins. Also Broadcom CEO Hock Tan made the list; he’s trying to get Chinese regulatory approval for a merger with VMware that will line his pockets and those of shareholders.
It looks to me that China is trying to keep the capitalist pigs happy but they will have to pay a price.

Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Nov 16 2023 20:02 utc | 295

Posted by: Erelis | Nov 16 2023 18:05 utc | 102
Yes, the real action was the dinner for business chiefs, not the sideshow of Xi having to put up with an addled geriatric zombie who probably didn’t recognize what decade it is.
Presumably Xi only agreed to talk to the porridge-for-brains leader of clown nation because refusing to do so while already in town for the APEC summit wouldn’t have been polite.
The dinner was clearly a pay-to-play event. Note the CEO of Boeing was there; still trying to get China to take delivery of his death trap MAX flying coffins. Also Broadcom CEO Hock Tan made the list; he’s trying to get Chinese regulatory approval for a merger with VMware that will line his pockets and those of shareholders.
It looks to me that China is trying to keep the capitalist pigs happy but they will have to pay a price.

Posted by: Ghost of Zanon | Nov 16 2023 20:02 utc | 296

The message is loud and clear: China don’t give a damn about western leadership!
Posted by: Oriental Voice | Nov 16 2023 18:47 utc | 117
………………………….
To me what was most significant about the meeting, and which I suspect most Chinese observers would immediately grock, was that the President of the United States flew across his country to meet President Xi, not the other way around.
I wonder why they met…

Posted by: Scorpion | Nov 16 2023 20:06 utc | 297

The message is loud and clear: China don’t give a damn about western leadership!
Posted by: Oriental Voice | Nov 16 2023 18:47 utc | 117
………………………….
To me what was most significant about the meeting, and which I suspect most Chinese observers would immediately grock, was that the President of the United States flew across his country to meet President Xi, not the other way around.
I wonder why they met…

Posted by: Scorpion | Nov 16 2023 20:06 utc | 298

The American system is better because it allows the most capable and ethical people to rise to the top in government.
Stop laughing.
Posted by: Sentient | Nov 16 2023 14:36 utc | 16
Shit floats to the top, much in the same way cream does

Posted by: RattusRattus | Nov 16 2023 20:07 utc | 299

The American system is better because it allows the most capable and ethical people to rise to the top in government.
Stop laughing.
Posted by: Sentient | Nov 16 2023 14:36 utc | 16
Shit floats to the top, much in the same way cream does

Posted by: RattusRattus | Nov 16 2023 20:07 utc | 300

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