China and Iran

Barry Rubin explains here why China won't agree to sanctions against Iran:

"Chinese state companies are currently developing the following oil projects in Iran: Kouhdasht; Yadavaran; North Pars gas field; North Azadegan oil field; Masjed Soleyman oil field; Garmsar block exploration and development. Most of these are still in development but are vital for the future of Chinese development. Total investment: well over $6 billion. And there’s a lot more Chinese involvement in Iran’s economy, including construction of a huge oil refinery.

The Chinese want to make money and ensure their energy supplies. Sanctions on Iran run counter to both these goals.

Pollution in China

Here, thanks to a tip from Joe, is a horrifying set of pictures showing the poisonous underpinnings of China's industrial development. As he noted, the problem isn't carbon dioxide emissions, which are not pollutants - but actual filth and poisons pumped into the atmosphere, dumped on the ground, or pumped into the water. Next time you see a 'Made in China' stamp, think of these pictures.

Bummed in Bermuda

At least, that's what I suspect the four Uighurs released to the Bermuda beaches from detention in Guantanamo feel like, as they learn about the battles between Uighurs and Han Chinese in China's Xingiang province.

Tainted milk in China

If you want a succinct, informative update on why there's a problem with tainted milk in China, here it is. Note the importance of having a free press, with investigative reports, to enforce quality control. And yes, I must make a disclaimer; Joe is a relative.

The IOC - a for-profit business?

You've probably all heard about China's limiting of internet access for journalists covering the Olympics. This article argues that it's unrealistic to expect the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to fight or win such a dispute with the Chinese government. The IOC's financial stakes are too high to make any threat to withdraw credible.

The IOC is now a non-profit organization. Among other things, it is supposed "to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity." The article argues that the IOC should instead become a regular business: then its actions would be in line with people's expectations. (Disclaimer: the author is well and personally known to me...and related...)

Crazy English

That's the title of an article from an April New Yorker describing the ways in which the Chinese are learning English. In addition to being quite entertaining, it leaves you with a disturbing sense of China's dynamism and intense desire to get ahead. (Thanks to Joe.)