U.S. and South Korea Balk at Talks With North

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/world/asia/01seoul.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=print

Comment:  Evidently China's credibility with regard to responsible participation in resolution of the DPRK crisis is fading fast.  Hopefully this will inspire a positive re-think of strategy by the powers that be in the PRC.

My Op-Ed in Vancouver Sun

China will steadfastly support North Korea
http://www.vancouversun.com/mobile/story.html?id=3903884
Same thing appeared in Calgary Herald November 30: http://www.calgaryherald.com/mobile/story.html?id=3903884

Wikileaks on DPRK Advanced Missile Sales to Iran

@markmackinnon: Diplomatic cables obtained by Wikileaks show US believes North Korea sold advanced long-range missiles to Iran: http://nyti.ms/f6ayN9

"The missiles could for the first time give Iran the capacity to strike at capitals in Western Europe or at Moscow, and American officials warned that their advanced propulsion could speed Iran's development of intercontinental ballistic missiles."

Tweet from @markmackinnon on Emergency 6 Party Talks

@markmackinnon: RT Vpedrosa RT @YonhapNews: (URGENT) S. Korean president made clear to Chinese official resumption of six-way talks "not timely."

China Calls for Emergency Meeting of Six Party Talks

"The United States has hoped that China would use its leverage over North Korea to restrain it from any further attacks, but so far China has not rebuked the North's leaders, at least in public. And when China did finally make a strong public statement late last week on the attack — the one warning against military actions in its economic zone — it directed its pique at the United States for the naval exercises."

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/29/world/asia/29korea.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

My Op-Ed in Toronto Star: North Korea can always count on China

"So long as China is under the leadership of the Chinese Communist party, its support for North Korea will remain unconditional.
Regardless of how much the current Chinese leadership is humiliated by the appalling behaviour of their comrades in Pyongyang, the DPRK leadership knows there is nothing they can do that will not be backed by the PRC. So Western governments, Japan and South Korea should plan their response to the DPRK accordingly."

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/897728--north-korea-can-always-count-on-china

Tensions rising between China and U.S. over North Korea

"In a statement from its Foreign Ministry, China warned against 'any military acts in our exclusive economic zone without permission,' the state-run Xinhua news agency reported Friday. But virtually all the waters to the west of the Korean Peninsula, where the United States said the exercises would take place, lie within that zone, and American naval traffic is far from uncommon there.
Adding yet more tension to the situation, the North's state-run media also warned that the maneuvers could push the Korean Peninsula closer to 'the brink of war.'
The West has hoped that China would use its leverage as the North's traditional ally to press it to refrain from further attacks, but the Chinese statement on Friday failed even to criticize the North for its shelling on Tuesday of a garrison island that is also home to about 1,350 civilians, mainly fishermen."

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2010/11/27/world/asia/27korea.xml

RCI Interview with me and Erich Weingartner and David Dewitt on DPRK

Lynn Desjardins' report "Mounting Tensions on Korean Peninsula Worry" broadcast on Radio Canada International on November 23:

http://www.rcinet.ca/radio/index.php?language=en&type=chronicle&media=audio&id=1230

B.R. Myers: North Korea Will Never Play Nice - NYTimes.com

I am quite taken with this observation: "In fact, as both its adversaries and supporters should realize, the North can never play nice. Just as our own economy-first governments must ensure growth to stay in power, a military-first regime must deliver a steady stream of victories or lose all reason to exist."

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/25/opinion/25myers.html

Global Action for Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo December 5 14h00 at OISE

Global Action for Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo 全球聲援劉曉波行動 
Sunday December 5, 2010  十二月五日 星期日
OISE Auditorium
252 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Public Forum (2 pm) 國英語論壇(下午二時) 
From Nobel Peace Prize to Human Rights and Democracy in China從劉曉波得獎看中國民主化的未來

Charles Burton (Brock University)
Andy Buxton (Amnesty International)
Charlie Foran (PEN Canada)
Liu Shaofu (Federation for a Democratic China)
Protest March (4 pm) 遊行(下午四時)


Presented by

Canada-Hong Kong Link, Federation for a Democratic China and Toronto Association for Democracy in China港加聯 * 民主中國陣線 * 多倫多支持中國民運會  主辦

Co-sponsored by

Amnesty International and PEN Canada國際特赦 * 加拿大筆會 協辦

Chorus Niagara Hallelujah Chorus at Food Court, Seaway Mall, Welland

Chinese Foreign Minister Postpones Visit to ROK

@melissakchan: Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi is delaying his previously planned trip to SKorea, according to SK gov.

Huang Hua first Ambassador of PRC to Canada has Died aged 97

"Huang helped lay the foundation of China's modern foreign policy, meeting secretly with U.S. National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger and helping draft the announcement of President Richard Nixon's groundbreaking visit to the country in 1972.

As foreign minister from 1976-1985, Huang oversaw the formation of diplomatic ties with Washington in 1979 and accompanied paramount leader Deng Xiaoping on his tour of the United States that year."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101124/ap_on_re_as/as_china_obit_huang

NYT: U.S. to Send Aircraft Carrier to Pressure China

The exercise will include sending the aircraft carrier George Washington and a number of accompanying ships into the region, both to deter further attacks by the North and to signal to China that unless it reins in its unruly ally it will see an even larger American presence in the vicinity.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/world/asia/24nkorea.xml

S. Korea may strike N. Korea's missile base: President Lee

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2010/11/23/0200000000AEN20101123013200315.HTML

Tel.: +1-905-228-2323
FAX: +1-209-231-4087
MSN, Yahoo, Google: cburton001; Skype: cburton002
Hushmail: Burton
http://spartan.ac.brocku.ca/~cburton

Summary of Wu Yuren Case Favourable on Cdn Embassy Response

RT @KPinChina: Froogville: Update on Wu Yuren http://t.co/zrbI2sk

Comment: Rachael Bedlington has represented the Embassy on this matter.

Implications of DPRK Uranium Enrichment Facility

DPRK's claim of a uranium enrichment facility could win concessions in nuclear talks and bolster prestige of Kim Jong Il's heir.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101121/ap_on_re_as/koreas_nuclear

Jason Kenney Promotes Civic Literacy


"Immigration Minister Jason Kenney warned a conference of historians and educators that unless we do a better job of teaching history and common values, we risk social unrest in the future.
Kenney said there is a need for both native-born Canadians and newcomers to have a solid understanding of Canada's past including our political system, and how Canada's culture of rights and responsibilities developed."

http://m.torontosun.com/16204626.1?fullscreen#news

China Successfully Pressuring Nations to Boycott Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony

"The Norwegian Nobel Committee said that it may not now hold the ceremony for awarding the peace prize in response to the fact that China has pressured countries not to attend and prevented Mr Liu, 54, or any members of his family from travelling to Norway to accept the award.  If that happens, it will be the first time the award has not been given out since 1936, when the Nazis banned journalist Carl von Ossietzky – a pacifist – from leaving Germany.  'As of this morning, 36 ambassadors had accepted our invitation, 16 had not replied and six had said "no",' Nobel Institute director Geir Lundestad said."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/8144943/Russia-joins-China-in-boycotting-Nobel-peace-prize.html

Inside the Wenyuhe Courthouse - Wu Yuren's Trial, Nov 17th, 9:30 to 1:30 pm

"I was relieved to see Rachael from the Canadian Embassy waiting for me at first point of contact and gave me a hug (despite applying early like me to visit the court, her request that morning in person to attend the trial was denied)."

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=175584892452869&id=128366287208330

Wu Yuren Trial Update 16NOV10

@markmackinnon: Trial of Chinese dissident artist Wu Yuren adjourned. No verdict today. Unclear what next stage is.

Request from Zhao Lianhai's spouse for support from other parents of children with melamine-associated kidney stones

RT @zhaolianhai: 大家好：我是赵连海的爱人李雪梅，赵连海因结石宝宝维权一事以寻衅滋事的罪名被判刑两年零六个月，我希望所有结石宝宝家长为了孩子勇敢的站出来，和我一起去大兴法院找李秀芹法官交谈，为赵连海伸冤，还他自由。

Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the release of Aung San Suu Kyi

"I am pleased that Aung San Suu Kyi has finally been released from house arrest in Burma.  She is an unwavering champion of peace, democracy and respect for human rights in Burma, despite being held in detention for 15 of the past 21 years. 

Neither her trial nor appeal process were conducted in line with international standards.  She was not granted due process and should never have been detained."

http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=3&featureId=6&pageId=49&id=3784

Cameron Urges China to Take More Responsible Approach

He said: "As China's star rises again in the world, so does its stake in a stable and ordered world in which trade flows freely."

http://m.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/10/david-cameron-china-world-visit?cat=world&type=article

Standing up to Beijing

"In Canada, and especially within the ranks of the federal Liberals, overlooking Beijing's sins has come to be seen as a mark of "sophistication." If our politicians are too forthright with their criticism, the argument goes, they will reduce Canada's opportunities for trade and investment. That is a cynical approach that we reject: Commercial engagement must be matched with frank talk on human rights and foreign policy."

http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/Standing Beijing/3810650/story.html

Canadian deal with China worth billions

The pact would allow Chinese insurers, with $106-billion in capital at their disposal, to invest in Canadian capital markets. Analysts say it reflects the behind-the-scenes work by government officials to improve trade and investment ties with the burgeoning Asian economy.

Read more: http://www.financialpost.com/news/Deal+with+China+worth+billions/3809487/story.html#ixzz14z2s4zDz

Cameron Risks Spat With Chinese by Wearing Poppy During Visit - Bloomberg

Hmmm. Poppy = Opium = humiliation of 1842 Treaty of Nanking

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-09/cameron-risks-spat-with-chinese-by-wearing-poppy-during-visit-to-beijing.html

Obama Supports U.N. Seat for India - NYTimes.com

By endorsing India for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, President Obama on Monday signaled the United States' intention to create a deeper partnership of the world's two largest democracies that would expand commercial ties and check the influence of an increasingly assertive China.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/world/asia/09prexy.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=a1

David Cameron leads largest trade delegation to China in 200 years

"Although China is the world's second largest economy with an enviable 10pc economic growth rate, its trade with Britain remains disappointingly small, with UK exports China totalling just £7.7bn in 2009.
Mr Cable said that Britain was determined improve on the lacklustre figures, capitalising further on business opportunities thrown up by China's massive program of urbanisation and infrastructure investment as well its growing consumer and services sectors."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/8116651/David-Cameron-leads-largest-trade-delegation-to-China-in-200-years.html

British PM Visit Marred By Nobel Clash

David Cameron, the British Prime Minister, pictured, who is about to start a visit to China, has been told that raising the matter of Mr. Liu would "have consequences." British officials said Mr. Liu's imprisonment would "not go by default." Cui Tiankai, one of China's most senior diplomats, warned, "The choice before some European countries and others is clear and simple: do they want to be part of the political game to challenge China's judicial system or do they want to develop a true friendly relationship with the Chinese government and people? If they make the wrong choice, they will have to bear the consequences.

http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/China+diplomacy/3787242/story.html#ixzz14cSmgGRW

Ai Weiwei Under House Arrest

@markmackinnon: Chinese artist/dissident Ai Weiwei, who helped design main stadium for 2008 Olympics, said under house arrest in Beijing.

Story about this in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/06/world/asia/06china.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

China trade: The 'Dalai Lama Effect' - CNN.com

Beijing, China (CNN) -- Countries whose top leadership meet with the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, lose on average 8.1 percent in exports to China in the two years following the meeting, according to a recent study.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/BUSINESS/11/04/dalai.lama.trade.china/index.html

Full text of the article can be found at: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/document/download/24062d6f430a7c77ab7b1a54407ac843.pdf/113_Fuchs.pdf&rct=j&sa=U&ei=GLPSTILSHYP98AbK4bj5Dw&ved=0CBoQFjAB&sig2=m5QS_4f9gYifZlZM4O1v3Q&q=Paying+a+Visit:+The+Dalai+Lama+Effect+on+International+Trade&usg=AFQjCNG3DaVCy1RRj1Xehp29bzQ7_rtaUQ

UN chief raises human rights in China speech

"Clearly, China is on the rise. Its transformation has been profound. Its influence is increasingly global. Its power is real... with this remarkable progress comes great expectations and great responsibilities," Ban said.
"As we move forward, we recognise that achieving the shared goals of human rights around the world is more than an aspiration, it is a foundation of peace and harmony in our modern world," he said.
"So too is respect for freedom of expression and the protection of its defenders," added the UN chief, according to a copy of his remarks released by the world body.
Ban said he was confident that China's current and future leaders would play a role in helping the UN confront "myriad challenges" by showing "full commitment to the common values that unite us" including human rights.
"The values embedded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are timeless and shared yet unrealised in far too much of the globe," he said.
"We must continue to work together to make those rights real in people's lives."

UN chief raises human rights in China speech - Yahoo! News

Karen Patterson Informed of Court date for Wu Yuren

@KPinChina --- Wu Yuren: Court date for Wu set: November 17, 2010, at 9:30 am, Wenyuhe Criminal Courthouse (5th and 6th ring roads, east) @aiww, @wentommy

Evidently Mr. Wu plans to plead innocent and maintain he is being framed by the Chinese police.

Tibetan Activist Woeser Taken into Custody by Lhasa City Public Security Bureau

@markmackinnon Mark MacKinnon/马凯 RT @ishaantharoor: outspoken tibetan activist woeser prob been arrested. here's a msg she wrote before disappearing http://bit.ly/arM1bv