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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBelieve it or not, China likely allowed Snowden’s exit as a favor to the U.S.
By Max Fisher
June 24, 2013 at 4:12 pm
... Lost in the bizarre episode and subsequent outrage in Washington, though, is the fact that this decision, if made in Beijing, was most likely intended not as a slap to the United States but a favor. That it was instead construed as an insult as well as Beijings apparent belief that it might well be thanked are a reminder of the unique ability of China and the United States to speak past one another when it matters most.
White House spokesman Jay Carney lambasted the Hong Kong government for apparently aiding in Snowdens flight to Moscow, saying that the decision unquestionably has a negative impact on the U.S.-China relationship. He added, The Chinese have emphasized the importance of building mutual trust, and we think that they have dealt that effort a serious setback. And many have taken this as evidence of distrust. As one prominent journalist put it on CNBC, for example, Clearly the Chinese hate us to even let him out of the country.
Take a moment, though, to consider how this might look from Beijing. Typically, when the United States and China argue about transferring a high-profile and politically sensitive individual between their custodies, its a Chinese dissident whom the U.S. wants to grant asylum. Those cases are often perceived as deeply embarrassing for China, although Beijing has increasingly learned to live with them.
Perhaps Chinese authorities saw this as a rare reversal: an American political dissident looking for asylum in Hong Kong, which despite its special status is a part of China. In the Chinese government worldview, granting asylum would have been the real slap to the United States ...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/06/24/believe-it-or-not-china-likely-allowed-snowdens-exit-as-a-favor-to-the-u-s/
usGovOwesUs3Trillion
(2,022 posts)psst... Snowden wasn't looking for asylum in China.
FYI
onehandle
(51,122 posts)DURHAM D
(32,617 posts)The WH is apparently furious at China.
Vinnie From Indy
(10,820 posts)Snowden back in the US. Bringing him back would keep him in the news through the 2014 elections. If they let him go, they can just disparage and deny his claims. I think they probably know everything he downloaded by now and are willing to let those things be revealed. Just a thought and by no means anything other than wild speculation.