Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Watching CCTV and reading between the lines

By Brian Hennessy - posted Monday, 27 July 2009


It didn’t click until the next day. Rowan Callick, ex Beijing correspondent and now Asia/Pacific editor for The Australian newspaper, broke a story on Chinese corruption in Namibia, and how the judge in charge of the investigation, wanted to have a chat with the ex-director of the company involved: Hu Jin Tau’s 38-year-old son, Hu Haifeng.

Kharma.

This is a major loss of face for Hu Jin Tau and his colleagues and we can expect that their response to this public relations disaster will be one of the following mutually exclusive options: (i) they will now look for a face-saving excuse to back down; or (ii) they will raise the stakes even higher in order to save their precious faces.

Advertisement

It gets worse (for them): in last week’s online news, it was reported that after meeting with Chinese economists and company executives, China’s Premier Wen Jia Bao, had some worrying news for the assembled diplomats: 

“The difficult economic period has not passed; the foundation for economic recovery is not solid; the negative impacts of the global financial crisis on China’s economy are not abating; and outside demand for China’s goods exports is still shrinking."

This news would drive anyone to drink or cause them to lose a night's sleep.

My take on all of this? Expect the unexpected in the coming days.

China’s diplomats have a lot of work to do when they return to their posts.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

3 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Brian is an Australian author, educator, and psychologist who lived in China for thirteen years. These days he divides his time between both countries.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Brian Hennessy

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Brian Hennessy
Article Tools
Comment 3 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy