Irony writ large.

[chuck]

Had to laugh at this report.

Made in China (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7370903.stm)

A common sight to be sure. But you do have to wonder who was running the place.

It's kind of like the protests/marches supporting China that have been taking place in NZ this past weekend - to muted responses from most punters and media.

Chinese citizens living in NZ - protesting at how the NZ media have portrayed China as an oppressive and undemocratic state - and supporting China's great future and ability to host the Olympic games.

[Rog]

Chinese citizens living in NZ - protesting at how the NZ media have portrayed China as an oppressive and undemocratic state - .

i would have to bite my tongue to stop myself saying to them "if it's so good why don't you f**k off back then" in that situation:eek:

The flag thing is excellent though!:D

[chuck]

It wasn't so much - "Bugger off then - it was more the irony that comes from Chinese citizens taking advantage of the rights in a foreign country to assemble and protest freely - in support of a nation that doesn't allow those same rights so much.

Although as someone did point out - in China they would have been encouraged to gather and wave flags supporting the Communist Party and the glorious revolution - so they weren't doing anything that wouldn't also be seen in Beijing.

It's just any other sort of voiced opinion/thinking that would most likely being frowned upon (As in - run down by tanks).

[Rog]

It wasn't so much - "Bugger off then - it was more the irony that comes from Chinese citizens taking advantage of the rights in a foreign country to assemble and protest freely - in support of a nation that doesn't allow those same rights so much.
.

exactly a reason to tell them to bugger off IMHO:D The irony is not lost on me mate, i was just commenting on part of your post as well;)

[chuck]

Course - the deal goes both ways - as this image shows (http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/photographer/20/20534_large.jpg).

We - as in New Zealand - have hitched our wagon to the China juggernaut - and there have been many benefits - tourism, trade, cheaper goods, better food shops - the education income - so I don't want to stand in the " All China bad!" camp.

Because it's not - dealing with China - as a trading partner, as an international superpower in the years ahead is going to take a more sophisticated view than just the banner headlines.

I'd hazard a guess that the US/UK and most of the Western world have a similar balance to find and maintain.

That's going to take some learning - and some thinking - on both sides.

[Rog]

good post, i'll reply tomorrow day when i'm sober and can do the rational thing;)

[cacophony]

made in china. (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/22/health/policy/22fda.html?hp)