I note PM Krudd's recent comments whilst in n.america that something like:

" Whilst they (the red chinese leadership) have done bad things in the past ... yada yada yada? "

What about the present? Only days ago they wheel out their bogus tibetan lama boy, to spout red chinese propaganda. The political Tai Chi practitioners, the "dissidents" in asylums, verily anyone who has a differing view to the 9, those used for spare body parts ..

Does this mean nothing to those of you who have some kind of religious or spiritual concept, or even just a healthy secular Human Rights viewpoint?

Alas that you will not sup with "us" and accept the likes of Green Browny? How different things could be.

Tis not a question of not trading with them, but rather insisting on basic internationally accepted norms.

But you know, Human Rights for all is not as profitable. True. A more equitable distribution for the chinese workers would mean less profits for business, as higher prices given the majority have already been milked is not really an option.

But like the slavers of old, some members of the business community will oppose purely and simply because of this and because they simply care not for the plight of others.

Belly, I think you will find that Rio is listed on both the ASX
and London, as it has shareholders, mainly super funds, in both
places. Lots of mum and dad invstors too, just not as many
as some other companies.

The money from Chinalco is not for Australian development, but
to pay off a bad management decision, when they overpaid for
Alcan in Canada.

Rio pays tax in Australia, royalties on what is mined, so the
full value of those products matters to all Australians.

I and others are not saying that China should not invest, just
that this particular deal seems to be a rort. If the Chinese
want 18% of Rio, they are free to buy it like anyone else, without
600 pages of conditions, with which they would effectively be able
to sway the price of Australian resources.

This is a Chinese strategic Govt deal, not a Chinese investment
deal.
Big difference!

yabby as always I respect your opinion, and understand it too.
this however is not unlike the fears expressed when Japan bought into our country, or for that matter America.
Some claims seem to say Labor has sold us out, others that they have been hood winked by Chinese intrigue.
I think America England ,us every country in the world acts in its own best interests.
I do not think China is any worse than America at this self interest game.
Not for a second do I like selling any of my country, but thats what international trade is about.
That is why we, like too many country's no longer have a manufacturing industry.
This crisis, this could be total destruction of our financial system, needs Chinas dollars.
America needs them, stunning as it sounds without them it will fail.
The people who miss managed Rio , who refused BHPs offer in better times asked to sell, need to sell, what other answer is there?

*Not for a second do I like selling any of my country, but thats what international trade is about.*

Not really, this in my opinion is more about Australian stupidity.
Much has changed in the last 20 years. Just think of the total wages
paid every day in Australia. 9% of that accumulates in super funds.
It is a huge amount of money. Money that could be used to own
and develop Australian resources. But as super fund manager are
paid on next quarters figures, that is how they think, bugger the
long term.

*That is why we, like too many country's no longer have a manufacturing industry.*

We have little manufacturing as we are not very good at it, yet
we are very good at mining efficiently. But if the price that we
receive for those products is distorted by a corrupt market,
then we can only conclude that Aussies were too stupid to
market their own primary products with any kind of intelligence.
I'm very sad to say that, but we have to face reality sometimes.

*America needs them, stunning as it sounds without them it will fail.*

Some will argue with you on that one. Dick Chaney made it plain that
the US Dollar was not America's problem, but everybody elses.
All US borrowings are in US $. If China and Japan pulled out of
supporting the US$ tomorrow, their savings would vanish and so would
their market. Both countries tried to manipulate the market by keeping
their currencies low. Do no forget, the US $ is the default currency.

If needbe, the US could simply print any amount of $ to pay any debts.
Not so Australia, as ours is not the default currency.

That is why China is nervous and now thinks that investing in
resources might be better then holding US $.

Yabby "We are not good at manufacturing."You have very limited vision.The Chinese manufacturer next to me employed 3 workers here 2yrs ago, but descided to go china and employed 20 people for the same cost without all the regulation ,legal disease etc.He pays his skilled workers $1.00 per hour Aust and they work really hard for the priviledge of existing.

Yabby,we are not good at manufacturing because we believe in fairness and not putting our people in economic slavery.

*Yabby,we are not good at manufacturing because we believe in fairness*

Arjay, if that was the case, Australians would be rushing
to buy Australian made products, even if they cost more.

Clearly that is not the case, so the more honest truth is
perhaps that everyone wants to earn a high salary, but
pay as little as possible for the goods that they buy.
Sadly, people act out of self interest, so perhaps your
"fairness" slogan is more a bit of rhetoric then the reality
that we see around us.