Are you a Party member? Some typically slick propaganda here from the pro-Beijing position.

And where does democracy and the political rights of the Chinese people fit within this policy statement?

Since 1942 the US has tempered their absolute power by trying to premote democracy.At the end of WW2 they could have conquered this entire planet with their military might,but instead they believed in freedom of spirit and the rule of democracy.

China has a long way to go before it even licks at the boot straps of Western philosophies and freedoms.Let's hope that they[China] are humble in their new found power and realise the importance of the freedom of the human spirit as well as the need for individuual discipline.

We should not measure the success of a civilisation by power or money alone,but also by how happy and creative their mainstream population can be.

The Chinese Empire already exists. It controls most of the economies of South East Asia.

No one can blame them for disregarding the 'interests' of the West and former colonial/gun boat diplomacy powers, who savagely and ruthlessly used their former power against the social and economic interests of the Chinese.

Still, we need to learn from history, that people with power are usually very predictable. Not just the British/USA/Russians, but now also China, India which are both Economically and Militarily powerful and Pakistan which is long on Nuclear WMD power, short on economic power.

The West should remember their own miserable actions, and either suck up to China etc as the new 'Masters' or.. beef up their military and keep these hungry wolves at bay.

If Australians don't learn from the big picture about how to build a powerful nation, and get RID of our parochial neo socialist ideas that life owes all a living, and start to implement some 5 yr nation building plans, including special economc zones, we will wake up one day glazed eyed, wondering where all our aspirations and ideals went, while we prepare to head off to 'Mandarin Language classes'.

Atilla is coming again... a 2nd coming, but this time he is not a 'Hun'....He is a 'Han'.

The UN will be tolerated only as long as it fits the economic/military goals of those running it. China and Russia are both taking indpendant positions against the US/Britain on such things as Iran and Nuclear energy, (gee, what a surpise).. Russia is annoyed by its former sattelite states being drawn into Nato, and shock horror, the Yanks are displeased that they are displeased. Duh
Dick...which planet are u from ?

Henry Leong:

Despite the propaganda you preach on behalf of the New China, it will be many years before the West - Aust included, will accept Foreign Policy statements made by President Hu Jintao, other than with a grain of incredulity, bordering on disbelief ! As an Apologist for the CCP, your summation of your Country's staggering re-emergence as a Super Power is wrought with ructions that have not been adequately resolved, much less explained.

Admittedly, China's Economy has kangarooed from Trade Deficits to 9 % growth 20 years running is Nobel Prize performance. Since 1978 GDP increased tenfold, yet 150 million citizens fall below the OECD's International Poverty line ! What price success ?? Indeed.

Not even erstwhile Singapore, the ' economic dream-machine 'of the Asian 'tiger' conglomerates, and leader-of-the-pact, can lay claim to such an Economical miracle.

Inimical Mao tse Tung, embroiled for decades with disputes with Formosa ( Taiwan ) his ambitious diabolical wife and countless concubines; his Agrarian Reforms; failing Health, and burgeoning Population growth, really made a 'cock-up ' of the sleeping giant's immense potential, dont you think ?

Condoleeze Rice, US Secretary of State, on a three day visit to Sydney expressed disquiet about Aust perceived relationship with the 'dragon power', prior to President Hu Jintao's visit to Canberra. We were about to sign a 'free trade agreement' and negotiate Uranium mining.

There will NEVER be a change in sino/US relationship whilst Taiwan remains an issue on the radar. No amout of Diplomacy, Trade or brinkmanship will alter the fact the US is committed - like Israel, to it's wellbeing and Defence. It's a categorical undertaking metaphorically, enshrined in stone. To believe otherwise is 'wishful' thinking. China is doing little to ease concerns over the rapid build-up of Military strength, which is threatening US Dominance in a wide range of issues, from Asian sea-lanes, oil, and outer space.

Quote: " exercising 'soverign prerogatives' to reclaim Taiwan ", followed by " not the nemesis of the new Cold War " is poppycock. The invasion 1950 of Tibet, sacking of Shrines and Monastries.

continued..

massacred and trampled over docile natives, forced the Dalai Lamma and 150,000 Tibetian's into exile ( where they still languish in Refugee camps) in India ? Genocide.

Tiananmen Square 1989, where students unrest was subdued by Russian T32 Tanks, and thousands were rounded up, their families incarcerated. They were imprisoned without trial in 'gulag's', brainwashed for harbouring 'subversive' Western ideology.

Large scale persecution of Falun Gong (Outlawed) Follower's are ostracised and property confiscated. People are arrested, tortured and deported never to be seen again.

As for China's evolving expansionist strategy, the disputes with India over the Kashmir 1964, rages unabated. The Spratly Islands is a cause of concern between Malaysia, Borneo and the Philippines. Vietnam's Northern border province's are another pressing issue, with Military incursions erupting from time to time.

Dependence on Foreign Investment is an initiative of Globalisation of Corporate China. The Beijing Olympic's 2008 is slated to become the 'show place' of modern, technologically advanced, industralised Nation.Political expediency will dictate the need for transparency. Tourism, foreign exchange rates, balance of trade, investments will ensure prosperity is translated, hopefully into hard cash.

It will take some convincing to placate fears of a starry-eyed picture of benevolent China. Detente as we know it, is still subject to whimsical interpretation. Without reservation, it must weigh heavily on Bush, Blair,Donald Rumsfelt - China's arsenal of Nuclear weaponary.

WMD, and the proliferation of plutonium stockpiles augers imaginative nervousness in most people ! Military expenditure is 2 to 3 times greater than is Publicly acknowledged @ 4.3 % of GDP. It's Nuclear warhead ICBM's reputably targeted at all major Cities, their latest boasting a range of 12000 plus miles. They have the means to deliver and wherewithal to annihilate most Capitol cities of the World.

Cheers

In todays Australian we see that China is giving high quality Uranium gas to Iran so they can speed up their enrichment progams.What sort of responsible international citizens are they to give nuclear weapons to fringe dwelling religious lunatics?

These fundy nutters really believe in their eternal nervana with their virgins,and wouldn't think twice about pushing the button to prove a point,in a rush of indignation,bile and hate.