I wonder if Prince Charliethe Commonwealths future King)) is grinding his teeth?. Based on his personal feelings which were leaked out after the HK handover, he would have little to do with Chinese government officials at all.
Schedule for this week:
Tuesday
Wednesday
- President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan receive a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade before travelling in a carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace
- Later, Mr Xi will address members of the Houses of Parliament
- The president is due to meet Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn
- The Queen will give a state banquet at Buckingham Palace
Thursday
- Mr Xi will visit Imperial College London with the Duke of York and Chancellor George Osborne
- He will meet David Cameron at Downing Street before before visiting the UK-China Business Summit at Mansion House and then Chinese telecommunications company Huawei Technologies
Friday
- Mr Xi, joined by the Duke of York, will visit Inmarsat, a global satellite communication services company, before attending a Confucius Institute conference hosted by UCL Institute of Education
- In the evening, Mr Xi and Ms Peng will join Mr and Mrs Cameron at Chequers for dinner before flying to Manchester
- Mr Xi will visit the National Graphene Institute at the University of Manchester with Mr Osborne and then the City Football Group with Mr Cameron
- The president and Mr Cameron will attend an event at Manchester Airport before Mr Xi and Ms Peng depart
Chinese Economics Thread
- Thread starter Norfolk
- Start date
Brumby
Major
I thought his beef with China was his support of the Damai Lama over Tibet? Anyway, what is the take (reason) on President Xi's visit given that it is specifically to the UK and no other countries?
Lessons to learn: Today's adversaries/competitors are Tomorrow's friends, and Vice-Versa. Nothing is static. Situations changes whether they are Economics, Trade, Security, Finance, Business etc. These are practical/pragmatic realities of nations governing their geo-strategic interests. History depicts these lessons whether, in Europe, ME, Asia etc. But today, most situations are transparent, and there are good analysts & strategists in the countries concerned.
Blackstone
Brigadier
Like Lord Palmerston said, nations have no permanent allies or friends, only permanent interests.
I think it boils down to a balance, as Kissinger noted, between realism and idealism. If you are too idealistic you end up tilting at windmills and if you are too realistic you risk looking self-serving; both will drive your friends away.
IMO its not just Tibet. I cant recall a single complimentary thing Prince Charlie had to say about China, from how they industrialize or how they live.I notice he is not going to attend the State Banquet the Queens hosting..Oh well the role he plays in the world is increasingly insignificant anyway.
Perhaps the trip to Britain is to make up for the poor way Prime Minister Li Kequiang trip was handled last year.Overall i cant see too much changing, Pres Xi will still be given the customary ear bashing about human rights etc etc.
Diplomacy isn't his strong suit, not that he needs it either.
Blackstone
Brigadier
That's correct, Henry Kissinger believed a pure Bismark-type of realism is ultimately unsustainable because it lacked legitimacy. Former Australian PM Kevin Rudd has taken up that theme and is advancing his modified "Constructive Realism" as an alternative to "Offensive Realism" championed by scholars like John Mearshemier. But, we're OT, so maybe another time.
AssassinsMace
Lieutenant General
If Beijing wanted to do an end around on the US, China should propose a free trade agreement with Europe. The British might be game since they were the first Western country to defy Obama's wish that no one join AIIB.
broadsword
Brigadier
An expert's opinion of China's train technology: