Friends With China?

1. 59

   marinealways24posted 16 years ago

   In the US, We are allies with many countries. China is one of our biggest allies. Here is something I do not understand. We liberate countries like Iraq where they have no democracy. Yet, In China, they control child birth with "mandatory abortion". Is this a democracy? How did China become one of our biggest allies with policies like this one? Abortion as population control. Words do not describe the lack of humanity these actions. So, why are we friends with China?

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      RKHenryposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      China is America's banker.  Are you allies with your creditors?

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         onthewritesideposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         LOL....so true!

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      livewithrichardposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Because Wal Mart says we have to be... really China is an economic trade partner.  Like it or not, without substandard China goods balancing things out, the free markets would skyrocket.

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         RKHenryposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Ah, valid point my friend.  Very wise.

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      Yu-Huang Shang Tiposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      “A democracy cannot be both ignorant and free” When you fail to demonstrate adequate concern for the freedom of others, you embolden and empower those who want to take yours away.

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      onthewritesideposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Because we owe them a BOATLOAD of money!

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2. 59

   marinealways24posted 16 years ago

   Lol So, Since China has all the money, they can do whatever they want. I get it now.

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      Eaglekiwiposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      or somethimes also the opposite reaction occurs..
      no money ie who gives a shit, not gonna get any poorer attitude
      
      what gets me is and I learned this when I was doing some research for one of my hubs is many of the poorer countries are propped up by the wealthier countries ,(with aid, protection)which gives them leverage for their resources ie oil , diamonds,coffee,drugs! hmmm ,dodgy and exploitive in my opinion.

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3. 58

   Mrvoodooposted 16 years ago

   I believe there's a saying that goes something like: 'Choose your enemies wisely'.

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      marinealways24posted 16 years agoin reply to this

      There is also a saying that says to fear no one. I'm not saying we should go to war. I'm simply asking why we are allies with someone that uses abortion for population control. Is money the only reason we are allies?

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         Mrvoodooposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Nope, fear IS the reason you are allies.

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            marinealways24posted 16 years agoin reply to this

            I wouldn't be surprised, yet that would obviously not be the only reason we are allies.

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         Sufidreamerposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Not even sure that you are allies - trading partners, maybe. To me, anyway, allies implies military co-operation.
         
         Good question, though - Personally, I think that the US has some questionable policies, too. So do the UK, France and Greece, for example - it is a grey area, with no clear line.

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            marinealways24posted 16 years agoin reply to this

            I believe we are allies and slaves to China considering the trillions of $$$ we just borrowed from them.

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            1. 86

               Sufidreamerposted 16 years agoin reply to this

               Slaves - a different matter, and probably very close to the truth. If China calls in the debts, expect the repo men anytime soon.
               
               Not sure about the answer - Eaglekiwi is probably along the right lines with the money thing - big business is not known for its moral scruples.

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                  livewithrichardposted 16 years agoin reply to this

                  If China calls in the debt, which will not happen, we would just print the money.  China will not call in the debt because we are a huge trading partner and they do not want to lose that.
                  
                  How is it that China, with just over 1.3 billion people and a communist government, has the money to lend to their trading partners?
                  
                  They have a bigger pool from which to take the money.  Sooner or later the people of China are going to have full access to information like most other countries do (almost full) and when that happens...

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                     Sufidreamerposted 16 years agoin reply to this

                     'Tis true - as fast as governments try to censor things, hackers seem to be one step ahead.

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      Ivorwenposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.'

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      1. 58

         Mrvoodooposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Yep, different saying, but essentially the same meaning.

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         onthewritesideposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         OOPS!  sorry for the repeat!  didn't see this post yet!

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      onthewritesideposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Or "keep your friends close, and your enemies closer"?

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4. 73

   Eaglekiwiposted 16 years ago

   I really think its to do with money ( since China has always been monitored)
   China mass produces
   Companies move offshore to make more profit
   Countries import to make more money via consumers
   Money ,Money, Money
   Must be Funny
   In a Rich Mans World

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      marinealways24posted 16 years agoin reply to this

      It is a rich mans world.

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         Eaglekiwiposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         For now it is

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5. 59

   marinealways24posted 16 years ago

   Gotta love the power of money.

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6. 58

   Mrvoodooposted 16 years ago

   I don't claim to be a great historian and am far from knowledgeable in complex political affairs.  But as I'm sure you are aware China has always been known as the 'sleeping giant' and it is generally believed that now is the time that this sleeping giant will awake.
   
   China more than any other country has always reminded me of that 'ying-yang' (if that's what it's called) the black and white swirly thing.  So much beauty, yet so much horror.
   
   China's role on the world stage I should imagine will be immense in the years to come, whether that's to the benefit or detriment of the rest of us, who knows...

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7. 58

   Mrvoodooposted 16 years ago

   * or maybe it's just me that's scared of them, I did get my heart broken by a Chinese girl once, so maybe that explains this ^

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      Eaglekiwiposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      awww MrV look on the bright side , bet ya can make damn good sushi now though

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         Mrvoodooposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Hey, she was Chinese, not Japanese, lol, but I guess Chinese people eat Sushi too.  And Pleeasssseee don't start me off about fish again! or meat, I had nightmares about little 'meathead' last night, don't call your dog that, seriously, I think my nightmare might have been an omen, it wasn't pretty.

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         1. 73

            Eaglekiwiposted 16 years agoin reply to this

            oops my bad I actually like Asian dishes alot! I make a not bad Thai soup too which isnt bad for a Kiwi Chef ,right now Im trying Greek ,well lookin at lamb n cous cous n shoot cant spell it ,help Surfi that to die for Greek Dressing..mmmm...
            well this isnt a food thread so 'oops' again
            wasnt the 'meathead' musafa mastiff, that gave you the heebie geebies either was probably that big bowl of ice-cream ya pigged out on ,lol
            
            China they need land !!  ok Im not Politically minded , my greatest career has/is Parenting so my logical mind says
            
            China wants and need land( badly),so if I were them and needed some real estate, Id look for some place with resources and nice neighbours...
            food for thought ( couldnt resist)

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8. 73

   Eaglekiwiposted 16 years ago

   Thanks surfi ,and yep marine well said
   I remember a couple of years my teenage sons saying how they felt China was building since their technology was developing very fast, in many ways and sometimes people forget that there whole culture is not as laid back as the West tends to be.
   They call us lazy and fat. I love the freedom to be however I want to be , but I do see where they are coming from and why they make those assumptions.
   
   Children for example are driven hard to succeed in education to make their country strong and superior!( Nationalism)
   Western culture emphasises "Self Achievement" more than supporting stronger communities etc and Patriotsim reigns.
   
   China certainly has the numbers ( check out their armies training on youtube sometime!) not something that woud normally interest me , but I have to admit when you do the same search for any Western Country Army ,they are not as sharp or as determined looking  and usually demonstate a brass band and lack lustre soldiers.
   Dont get me wrong
   I hate war , it never determines who is right ,only who is left.
   I just hope we remove our pride and never take certain freedoms for granted...

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9. 60

   onthewritesideposted 16 years ago

   The US owes China approximately 2.5 TRILLION dollars.  Under the Bush administration, the government did try to buy down $400 billion of that debt by sending 800 billion in Ameros to China.  Does anyone know if the US under Oblahblah is still planning on pursuing the American Union?

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      Yu-Huang Shang Tiposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      The American economy has become as dependent on import of Chinese products as it has on Saudi oil. As with Saudi oil, it only makes sense to see that near exclusive dependence on import of Chinese products (no matter how cheap), is not a healthy habit, and that America should in both cases start looking for alternate sources for such products. And it further makes sense to ensure that such sources should, as far as possible, not originate from, and not financially benefit, countries that are openly or furtively working to undermine democracy and open society.

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10. 69

    debrisposted 16 years ago

    Things are never as cut and dry as the main stream media makes it appear.  Please remember that many of the dictators in power were helped along by us because they were enemies of our enemies.  A lot of the politics you see are smoke and mirrors to cover up the true reason.  We have used people for many years to destabilize countries. 
    
    Look into our use of cuban rebels to attempt to overthrow Fidel.  There are many that believe that US Jackyls have helped along the protests in Iran.  Many would refute this but wouldn't it make sense?  If we could do it in our past then I wouldn't think we won't do it now.  Our president wouldn't admit to it either because this would be highly classified and risk us going to war.  I urge everyone to think beyond what the mainstream media feeds you.
    
    Remember, most news agencies are owned by large corporations like GE that need a happy public to keep buying their products.  Sit back and enjoy the show.
    
    -Debris

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    RKHenryposted 16 years ago

    But still I wouldn't call China America's friend.

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    1. 60

       onthewritesideposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       Me either, RK.  However "enemy" may be a little harsh too.  I guess I think of it as two opposing philosophies trying desperately to peacefully co-exist.  Kind of like the Highlander who has other immortal friends, but in the end..."there can be only one".

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          RKHenryposted 16 years agoin reply to this

          Absolutely concur.

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