Reverting to type: China calls the kettle black
Posted by stuart on Nov 30th, 2009
2009
Nov 30
Just when you think China might be prepared to sit down and cooperate on currency/trade issues, Wen Jiabao invokes the ‘c‘ word:
Speaking at a summit with EU leaders in Nanjing, Mr Wen said it was unfair of Europe to demand exchange rate changes while maintaining trade protectionism.
Mr Wen condemned countries that demand an appreciation of the yuan while engaging in “brazen trade protectionism against China”.
He added: “This is unfair. In fact, this amounts to restricting China’s development.”
(Note to self for next meeting with WJ: tell him to grow the fuck up and get a new hat, because the old one is far too CCP).
Update
Now he wants to ban golf. Power’s clearly gone to his head.
December 1st, 2009 at 5:47 am
Oh gee stuart, couldn’t stand the little “c” word that you guys use on China all the time?
While I agree China needs to “grow the fuck up” I think you and many of your fellow Europeans also need to “grow the fuck up”. Fourtunately those days when the Euros roamed free everywhere wrecking havoc are gone.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:05 am
“those days when the Euros roamed free everywhere wrecking havoc are gone.”
Personally I’d like to see the Yuan grow some legs and start roaming freely.
I’m not sure whether WJ is just being obstinate or if it’s the opening hardline position of a typical Chinese bargaining strategy. But to call the European’s request for a more flexible Yuan “unfair” and “restricting China’s development” is very, very silly.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:04 am
Why is it considered silly? Is it not unfair for the Europeans to pressure China to revalue the yuan while slashing China with anti-dumping suits from left to right? Is it not true that if China were to let the yuan rise against major currencies such as the dollar and euro it is going to have a detrimental impact on China’s current model of development, which is export-based, like it or not? Sure it would be great if China starts transforming to a consumption-based economy however that takes time. Letting the yuan rise freely will ruin it for China.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:35 am
“Why is it considered silly?”
Because it panders to the tired rhetoric of a world out to stop China. It’s utter nonsense. Besides, a manipulated Yuan was the precursor of tariffs and anti-dumping measures.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Banning or restricting golf (in favor of arable land or factory sites) is one of Uncle Wen’s older projects. I think it first emerged two years ago.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Agree with Juchechosunmanse that two black or white kettles are calling each other black here.
It’s OK if Western countries rethink the terms of trade with China – but for that, we need to deal with our China business lobbies at home. Decisions on the conditions at which we want to do business with China are our internal affair – we haven’t started taking care of these yet.
Besides, I believe that the effects of a revaluation of the Yuan, although they’d be noticable, wouldn’t reverse the fundamental problems between export-led and deficit-running countries. America has sent its manufacturing industry to hell during the Reagan years and after. It would take a genuine political will to regain an industrial base, to deal with the problem.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:54 pm
One more thought: China can’t rely on the export-led model for much longer – at least not with America, and several European countries. Balancing the surpluses and deficits is in the interest of both sides. A position as a creditor isn’t really easier than that of a bad debtor.
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:39 am
Justrecently –
Yeah, the golf thing’s been around for a while. He should rethink, though. Golf courses are environmentally friendly, create jobs, and provide leisure time for the people. Or is that too bourgeois?
“China can’t rely on the export-led model for much longer”
Indeed not. Yet they kick up such a fuss when other countries say ‘enough with the dumping’ as if it’s all a plot against China (see Wen’s comment above). Nothing is more protectionist than the Yuan’s manipulation.
China’s current strategy doesn’t understand the mutual need for give and take on trade. Actually, I’m pretty sure they do understand; but they’ve grown too accustomed to the accumulation of foreign wealth and would rather squeeze the life out of other economies than sit down and reach an equitable agreement. It’s all a war game for Wen and the boys.
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:26 am
Give me a break stuart. Read what Premier Wen said in the original Chinese text. This is not one of those “out to get China” cries.
Squeezing the life out of other economies? Do tell, how has China squeezed the life out of the UK economy? How about Germany? The Germans these days are a mouthy bunch when it comes to China, how did China hurt the German economy?
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:51 am
“Read what Premier Wen said in the original Chinese text. This is not one of those “out to get China” cries.”
So you’re saying that he was misquoted?
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:35 pm
The Germans these days are a mouthy bunch when it comes to China, how did China hurt the German economy?
This is an example of how….
Germany – my country – was probably too mouthy until two years ago about the opportunities business with China offers, and may be too mouthy now about the risks. But I’m glad that some of the naivete here is gone. China will mind her interests, and we must mind ours – with or without a lot of noise.
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:45 am
“But I’m glad that some of the naivete here is gone.”
I wish the whole world would wake up to the dangers of systematic Chinese espionage. If the true extent were known it would shock everyone but the Chinese government.
Any foreign company that recruits Chinese talent that doesn’t put safeguards in place to protect their technology/competitive advantage is asking for trouble. As your blog suggests, Justrecently, it may not be politically correct to think or act in that way, but the extent of the Motherland’s information gathering network deems it vital.
December 4th, 2009 at 12:36 am
FWIW, did Wen actually use the word ‘condemn’? It seems to be a word used by the BBC to paraphrase his remarks, rather than one he actually used.
December 4th, 2009 at 9:00 am
@ Matthew
Not sure – I didn’t delve that deep. But it is typical ‘state’ language for the Chinese. So is the spin of Europeans making ‘demands’ and the claim of a world out to stop China.
It’s all very tiresome.
December 4th, 2009 at 9:36 am
And now Wen is having a go at Canada:
http://tinyurl.com/Wen-berates-Canada
December 4th, 2009 at 10:05 am
stuart,
What’s your qualm with Wen Jiaobao anyway? Did you get fired because of him or what?
http://news.cctv.com/china/20091203/104290.shtml
Would you just read Premier Wen’s remarks in Chinese? Do “me no speak Chinese”?
And which country doesn’t engage in espionage?
December 4th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Justrecently,
As a former ardent fan of Germany, I got sick and tired of their almost unprecedented snobbishness vis-a-vis China and everything associated with the PRC these days. Even though ich spreache Deutsch nicht (did study it for about 6 months in college, too damn hard and I completely lost it), I came to find out the experiences of some of my high school friends in Germany. Mind-boggling, shall we say. My own theory is that the Germans, a people who carry so much baggage from the past are too damn eager to show their European neighbors and the world at large that they have repented their sins long enough; that they have completely out-grown those skeletons in the closet; that they, the Germans are the new face of everything good about our human race, or everything good associated with the western civilization such as freedom, democracy, free speech (interestingly the swastika is not allowed to be shown, not even on a picture of a wehrmacht visor cap) etc. They have out-done the Americans and other Europeans in terms of being self-righteous. I am fine with the Germans expelling those “Chinese spies” who allegedly stole trade secrets and know-hows. I am all for the Germans “minding her interests” within its jurisdication and appropriate frameworks, just don’t stick their hands to this part of the world and acting like a bunch of obnoxious snobs who are dying to tell the Chinese what life in China is like. Ja, life in China is just horrible! Seriously my German friends and foes, thanks but no thanks.
By the way stuart and Froog, I will be rooting for the Englanders in the upcoming World Cup given that I have completely given up on the Chinese (Ewwww!) and the Germans (Mehhh!). See? I can be quite nice to the Englanders!
December 4th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
“I will be rooting for the Englanders in the upcoming World Cup”
An astonishing revelation!
Why did you reject fellow ‘developing’ friends like Brazil and South Africa, or fellow Asians like Japan?
“My own theory is that the Germans, a people who carry so much baggage from the past…”
Hmmm… sounds familiar.
December 4th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
“Why did you reject fellow ‘developing’ friends like Brazil and South Africa, or fellow Asians like Japan?”
Actually I will be rooting for the DPRK first and foremost. However they are not expected to advance to the semifinals. That’s where the Englanders come in (come on, don’t disappoint me, not that I will be betting on them, haha). I was never a fan of the Brazilian soccer (I prefer the Argentines) or South American soccer in general.
“Hmmm… sounds familiar.”
Well, this time around it is not the victim mentality, rather it is the perpetrator mentality of some (west) Germans and the disgust over communism from some (east) Germans that turned them into righteous zombies.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
a former ardent fan of Germany
Post-ardent fans are the most ardent critics.
December 5th, 2009 at 4:49 am
Justrecently,
I don’t consider myself a critic of Germany after all what do I know about Germany?? I promise myself that I will never be as assertive about something that I don’t know enough about as some people out there. Wink wink. I am very critical of Deutsche Welle though, in my humble opinion it has outdone the VOA by 10 times.
Yeah, I was once really an ardent fan of Germany. As a kid I participated in a project that commemorated the German reunification, I even wrote to the German embassy to share my useless two cents after being devastated by Germany’s defeat in the 94 World Cup. I still collect WWII German militaria though (if you can find any SS or wehrmacht visor caps, particular the panzer ones with pinkish red piping in decent shape please let me know). I am getting rid of my four German jerseys (Klinsmann of 94, Bierhoff of 98, Schneider of 2006 and Schweinsteiger of 2007-2008). Any takers?
December 5th, 2009 at 6:07 am
Juchechosunmanse: My answer to your comments is right within your comments. Happy searching.
December 5th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Thanks for your understanding justrecently.
Stuart, England got lucky today and I see no reason whatsoever why it would have any problem beating the crap out of the US, Slovenia and Algeria. The DPRK on the other hand is out of luck, having been placed in the group of death along with Brazil and Portugal.
Chosun aja aja hwaighting!
Go England!
December 5th, 2009 at 8:49 am
“I even wrote to the German embassy to share my useless two cents after being devastated by Germany’s defeat in the 94 World Cup.”
Awww … human after all!
“I still collect WWII German militaria though”
Then again …
“Go England!”
I’m not much into the jingoism that often accompanies WC fever – so I’ll be cheering on the team that plays fair (and any nation opposing Ronaldo’s Portugal).
December 5th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
“I’ll be cheering on the team that plays fair (and any nation opposing Ronaldo’s Portugal”
Thank you for cheering for the DPRK.
What’s wrong with collecting Nazi militaria?
December 5th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Thanks for your understanding justrecently
And thank you for yours, Juchechosunmanse.