Top Chinese Diplomat Tells US to 'Shut up' on Arms Spending

[raccoon]

Top Chinese Diplomat Tells US to 'Shut up' on Arms Spending
by H. Josef Hebert

China's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, throwing diplomatic language to the wind, has told the United States in no uncertain terms to "shut up and keep quiet" on the subject of Beijing's growing military spending.

Interviewed for a BBC radio programme on the topic Thursday, Sha Zukang also said China would "do the business" and sacrifice its own people's lives if any nation supported a declaration of independence by Taiwan.

Responding to jitters within the Bush administration about Beijing's spiraling military budget, Sha said the United States itself accounts for half of the entire world's military spending.

"The China population is six times or five times that of the United States," he said. "Why blame China?... It's better for the US to shut up and keep quiet. It's much, much better."

His voice rising, Sha continued: "It's the US's sovereign right to do whatever they deem good for them -- but don't tell us what is good for China. Thank you very much!"

Sha was equally explicit on Taiwan declaring independence with US backing -- a prospect that the BBC programme, by former Beijing correspondent Carrie Gracie, called the motivating factor behind Chinese military spending.

"The moment Taiwan declares independence, supported by whoever, China will have no choice," he said.

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0817-08.htm

Well, I guess the junta ain't the only ones who can take the gloves off and talk like the local bully.

Payback's a mofo, isn't it?

[kurth]

1. Dang uppity Chinese. It's all Clinton's fault.

Maybe Wal-Mart.

[HamdenRice]

2. And if China invaded Taiwan, with what would the US help?

This article reminds the US we're tapped out financially and in terms of military assets. All our defense alliances are just pieces of paper, thanks to Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld, and the Chinese know it.

KR

[The2ndWheel]

3. Alright, now we're talking

A world with two super powers engulfing the planet with weapons and willing to sacrifice each states property...you know, people...for whatever is best for the nation. Hot damn!

[raccoon]

4. Yep, the "uniter" has been doing a heck of a job! nt