Thanks for all the warm welcomes, folks. I like this place already.
QUOTE(mrmonsoon @ May 12 2005, 12:18 AM)
How long have you been in China-there is a reason.
Have you been there long enough to get a feel for the countries thoughts and opinions on international issues?
I lived in Taiwan for three years before moving across the strait to the mainland, and have been here for three years now as well. I've travelled all over China, worked in Chinese and Taiwanese companies, have many good local friends (and gf's
) and speak reasonably fluent Mandarin. I wouldn't say I'm an absolute expert on the collective Chinese mind, but I have a reasonable understanding I guess.
QUOTE(mrmonsoon @ May 12 2005, 12:18 AM)
...what is the Chinese take on the N Korean issue (nuclear). How would China react to a pre-emtive strick on their nuclear sites? How would China react to N Korea testing a nuclear device?
Regarding the NK issue, I haven't really brought it up in conversation much. The Mainland Chinese can be...shall we say...fairly sensitive when it comes to discussing politics that they feel affects their country, particularly what they see as internal or regional matters. I could answer questions on the Taiwan issue much more failthfully, I feel.
Still, the Chinese are in a bit of a conundrum with NK. The Chinese attitude to NK is one of sympathy to a certain extent, in that China has moved on from her hardline communist days, but NK is still 'stuck in the dark ages'. At the same time, they have a "not our problem" attitude and feel that their involvement in the talks is a necessary evil because it is a regional concern.
Simultaneously the ChiComm government is suspicious of the US govt's motives and plans. They don't want to see NK turn into an aggressive rogue regime, but they also don't want the US invading or dropping nukes in what is virtually their back yard. The CCP would prefer to see the status quo continue, since that will keep the region peaceful and they can continue to deal with their own internal problems. And if the US invaded NK, then the US would have a complete lockdown on the North East Pacific and US troops would be sitting on the US-China border, which the CCP don't want since it will make the job of invading Taiwan more difficult if it ever comes to that.
So, I guess in summary, anything that maintains the status quo is fine by the CCP. If Crazy Kim testing a nuke disturbs that, then they will be against it.
Hope I answered some of your qns, and that there's no rule against waffling on like I just did.
edit: To see how NK really IS in the dark ages, check out these night time satellite pics. They appear to have little or no power and lighting.
North Korea at night - Satellite images
welcome to the forums 