Hello Plaid friends! Just got back from Beijing where I was being fitted for some custom-made plaid boxer-briefs.You can't get that kind of high quality shit here in the states, and when the measurements are taken by a team of Chinese hotties…well, let's just say "me love China long time!"And my Plaid brothers, let me give you a small piece of advice: boxer-briefs.Not boxers. Not briefs. But boxer-briefs.Ask any lady—they totally dig the boxer-briefs.And in plaid? Watch out! You will be irresistible!
Anyway, after the marathon boxer-brief bonanza, I bumped into a bodacious brother that I feel all worldy-wise people should know about—Wen Jiabao. Who is the man in China? Yes, Hu is the man in China! But you need to know the Hu, what, where and Wen of China, and Wen is the subject of this rant. Wen? Now!
China PM lauds India agreements Wen Jiabao is China's Premier/Prime Minister, and easily one of the hardest working cats on the foreign relations front from anywhere on the damn Plaid planet. This guy is a serious Chinese 'Johnny Hustle' man!He has been busting his ass for years touring the globe and wringing hands and striking deals from Brazil to Sudan to India to Australia.Back the fuck up my friends, don't get in this guy's way, 'cause he means business–literally!
The US Secretary of State Condelezza Rice is usually out touring middle eastern hotspots and old Cold War allies trying to put a positive spin on the current administrations debacles. Meanwhile, Wen Jiabao has been hitting every singe region and state on the planet cutting business, trade, and energy deals.He also has been cementing strategic alliances, offering up aid and incentive packages for developing countries, and even firming up ties with old enemies (see story above on Japan).
The contrast could not be more striking that that between Rice and Wen: when Rice shows up on scene, it's usually to scowls and harsh questions; when Wen is in house, its usually all smiles!
As you are reading this, right this second, Wen is in Japan addressing the Japanese Diet.No, he's not talking about sushi and sake; the Diet is the equivalent of the US Congress—and he is the first Chinese Prime Minister to ever be invited to it for decades.And what's he talking about?How China wants to firm up ties with their historic arch-enemy Japan…and the first thing he brings up is Japanese war atrocities during WWII!Man, this guy's got balls!
And he commands respect too.Some in Japan will condemn his remarks, but the current Japanese leadership (Shinzo Abe in particular) are going to continue to strengthen their relationship with Wen, Hu, and China in general.He also is extremely adept at finding new friends in Latin America, in Africa, in the Middle East, and South Asia as well.This dude has been everywhere in the last several years!Simultaneously, the US admin's main leaders have gone virtually nowhere…which is one of the reasons that so many places are finding it very easy to cozy up to China.Latin America and Africa in particular are establishing all kinds of trade links and relationships with China…a situation which is perturbing the US greatly.
But how can you blame these regions/countries from hooking up with China? China's economy is exploding; China needs the raw materials and energy resources that many developing countries have to offer; China often offers no-strings-attached financial aid to developing countries; and China is seen as a growing world political power with increasing clout, but not as an imperial power which invades other countries.Hmmmm…..who in the world would be seen in that light?
Wen has been cultivating these relationships all over the planet, courting countries large and small.And with great success.The fact that he is in office for life—or until the Chinese leadership wants him to go away—means that he will be active on the world stage for some time to come.So know Wen, and know Wen well.
Premier Wen is the nizzle, the whizzle, the Chinese fra-schizzle!!!
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