Not So Inscrutable After All

Two items in the news today illustrate well that Americans need to watch China carefully as that nation's government clearly has intentions that are not in our best interests.

First, the Washington Times reports that new satellite photos from commercial sources clearly show a strategic missile (that is, nuclear-capable) submarine docked at a (formerly) secret location in China. This revelation, plus others, show that China is moving rapidly to build a force capable of striking any part of the world with nukes.

Comforting thought, isn't it.

The other item goes under the heading "Thou Dost Protest Too Loudly," as the Chinese foreign ministry defend that country's censorship of the internet. The spokesman, Qin Gang, said:

"It is normal for countries to manage the Internet in accordance with law and to guide its development in a healthy and orderly fashion," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said. "China has also borrowed and learned from the United States and other countries in the world."

When a government - any government - starts proclaiming itself the guru of what is healthy and orderly, we say it's time for normal folks to run for the hills. The healthiest thing the Chinese could do for the internet is to leave it the hell alone. Another good reason NEVER to turn control of the internet's operation over to the U.N. or one of its creations.

As to the second sentence of his statement, why yes indeed China has "borrowed" and "learned" from the U.S. and other countries. It has spent a great deal of time and money on bribes and espionage to come into possession of a lot of sophisticated technology that makes it a major player, whether we are talking nuclear weapons and missiles, or being a devoted Big Brother to those chatting on the internet.