Photo with H.H, the Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama mocks China’s interest in naming his successor

http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/dalai-lama-mocks-chinas-interest-in-naming-his-successor/article2416580/?service=mobile

On top of everything else, His Holiness is one the great humourists of our times!!

NYT: Bo Xilai Said to Have Wire Tapped Hu Jintao's Telephone!

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2012/04/26/world/asia/bo-xilai-said-to-have-spied-on-top-china-officials.xml

My rather optimistic op-ed "Sunk by corruption, even in China" - The Globe and Mail

"Party corruption runs deep; Some suggest scandals will fade and pose no threat to the authoritarian rule of China's Communists. They are wrong."
Sunk by corruption, even in China - The Globe and Mail

There is a Chinese language TV interview with me on the same topic from OMNI TV Mandarin News of April 19 (starts at about 7:50): http://bcove.me/ot94vp3h

《求是》发表温家宝重要文章:让权力在阳光下运行

《求是》发表温家宝重要文章:让权力在阳光下运行

Chinese language report speculating on what Bo Xilai's spouse was really doing

谷开来涉嫌四宗命案 涉重庆受贿10亿 转出海外80亿 - wenxuecity.com

Hard to know how factual this is, but it seems plausible.

Xinhua News Agency reports China suspends Bo from elite ranks, wife suspected of murder | Reuters

China suspends Bo from elite ranks, wife suspected of murder | Reuters

据新华社4月10日报道，据调查，薄谷开来（薄熙来同志妻子）及其子同尼尔•伍德过去关系良好，后因经济利益问题产生矛盾并不断激化。

 

经复查，现有证据证明尼尔•伍德死于他杀，薄谷开来和张晓军（薄家勤务人员）有重大作案嫌疑。薄谷开来、张晓军涉嫌故意杀人犯罪，已经移送司法机关。

 

Bo Xilai 'expelled from China's Communist Party' - Telegraph

Bo Xilai 'expelled from China's Communist Party' - Telegraph

Expulsion from the Party means no prospect of return to public life.  Much more serious than simply being removed from posts.  Bo Xilai's expulsion from Chinese Communist Party means his career is definitely and absolutely over.  Never coming back.

Rights And Democracy: Tories Killing Mulroney-Era Agency

Rights And Democracy: Tories Killing Mulroney-Era Agency

Press release from Minister Baird: http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2012/04/3a.aspx?view=d

Article in National Post: http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/04/03/tories-shutter-troubled-rights-and-democracy-agency/?__lsa=b9697a1f

3 Reasons Why the Next Canadian Ambassador to China Should Be a Political Appointment

1. Sending a strong politically connected ambassador sends a signal to Chinese that we are serious about upgrading the China relationship in Canada’s international priorities.  It is a lot better than sending a bland DFAIT Mandarin.  We need someone senior in this post.

2.  This sort of person will not have one eye on going into business with the Chinese and getting rich after ambassadorship ends.  Better not to have future personal Chinese plans overshadowing his pursuit of Canadian interests while still a humble incomed civil servant.

3. This sort of person is more likely to press on with follow through on the FIPA, etc.