Edit: ooops, meant to post to different thread... anyway here is something else...

If you are interested in China, here is a 7 part series that ended last week from the Jim Lehrer new hour … you may have to search a bit to get to part 1 of 7.

Covered most issues, the last part delved into censorship and I thought was quite interesting.

I cant link http://pbs-newshour.virage.com/cgi-bin/visearch?user=pbs-newshour&template=template.html&query=China+ClipCategory%3AClipCategory%3Aasia&keywords=China&category=ClipCategory%3Aasia&submit=Search

There was a good show on ABC 4Corners lastnight about North Korea and its regime as well. Very very depressing to watch.

China is scary... I rekon we becoem their bestest friends and let them invade Taiwan. It used to be the "joke" that for china to invade taiwan it would be the million man swim, But these days they have all the air, naval and amphibian power to do whatever they wanted. About the only reason they haven't is they are too busy making billions of dollars for the machine.

What they did with their currency is clever. Its massively under valued and is generating them huge ammounts of trade. The power of a command economy I guess.

until China introduces free floating exchange rate, rule of law (so that investment contracts can be enforced) and improved human rights conditions, they will stray an also ran developing country.

it's amazing how large their population is however their GDP is not yet bigger than either the US or the EU.

there is an interesting article in this week's bulletin about how China has managed to filter most internet traffic entering the country with search terms such as truth and freedom being blocked! talk about full on!

yes Obes but their tricks are a double-edged sword. They have accumulated a s***load of US currency as a result and are now exposed heavily to exchange rate fluctuations. I mean if the US dollar depreciates up to 10-20% in value over the next 5 yrs (as some suggest) all those you beaut currency reserves will also diminish in value accordingly. So naturally they have a HUGE investment in US equities and debt also. No thanks. They aren't making friends in the EU either.

I would have to disagree with their offensive capabilities re Taiwan as well. I think the only reason they dont invade is because they may quite easily get their asses handed to them. The US would have a carrier group there quicker than you can say 'armageddon' in a squeaky voice (unless its already there).

It wouldn't take long for Japan to score a few long-range missiles off best buddies USA in the event of such a f***up and proceed to be very pissed off with China/NK as well. I am no US fanboy, but China would be very wise not to piss off Bush Inc.

Forget the Middle East, this China/Taiwan thing is what will really make the efforts of the 'coalition of the willing' look like a f***ing circle-jerk round a stale SAO biscuit.

great post scoggex.

agreed with spidz.

I agree with A_W agreeing with spidz

In all serious here. Invest your money in china and watch it grow. Their GNP is 10%. Where as australia`s, America`s, Japan`s and most other countries is about 1%

i dont really like this ... if they werent so communist and brainwashed mabye i would think otherwise