On Oct 10, two taikonauts successfully blasted off from Chinas’ Inner Mongolia region into orbit. While this accomplisment might seem quaint to some in America who have been doing this sort of thing for over 50 years it is still no small feat, and it is a testament to the ambitions of China.
This is Chinas second manned space launch. And the first to include two taikonauts. Breitbart.com has a good article on the mission and its’ implications.
Apparently, Chinas’ longterm plan is to build its’ own space station. Given its’ liberal use of Russian Soyuz technology in its’ current I wonder if this will mean their space station will mimic the Soviet Unions incredibly robust and successful Mir station.
We could go on about how China’s emergence as the 3rd space faring nation is a threat to national security… but I see that as counterproductive at best, and a self-fulfilling prophecy at worst. Let them have their day. Applaud their achievements. Encourage them to continue… but.. at the same time… encourage them to participate in multi-lateral space missions. They could be help build, maintain and re-supply the ISS.
The Russians and Americans should reach out to the Chinese and start building bridges before there is even a hint of hostility. Share technology. Share knowledge.
I congratulate China on its’ achievements and hope that their space program will remain a symbol of technological, economic and social advancement of their country.
The focus on China will only grow stronger. The new prosperity they are experiencing is sending major signals to the Chinese ruling party. The urban Chinese are going to be clamoring for a change in govt before long. I have great hopes that China will be a positive force in many ways for the civilized world. I don’t see them as our ultimate enemy nor our best friend. But I believe that in time we will have a very beneficial relationship with China and India as well. If Europe wants to join the party, they will have to stop this silly envy and rivalry for power with the US. Partnerships are much more rewarding. Schroeder is now gone and Chirac will soon follow him. Perhaps a more positive dialogue will now have a chance to develop with the US.
“Schroeder is now gone”
In body… but I don’t think in spirit considering his party still holds a huge number of seats in the German Bundestag (?)… enough that they had to form this “Grand Coalition”.
And given my initial impressions of Merkel and her party… I think in terms of friendliness to US Foreign Policy, Bush might have had more of an ally in Shroeder.
Well, Merkel has said in the last few days that it would be necessary to build a bridge once again with the US. If she actually means it, I can’t say. Schroeder was extremely two faced regarding Germany and the US. To the German people he publically bashed us at every opportune moment but he was all kissy-face when visiting here. Odious man.
Merkel isn’t going to have the political strength to make any of the required changes to fix the German economy so I just look for her to be a little blip in the radar and not a force for good to be reckoned with – no Maggie Thatcher for sure. But as I commented – a positive dialogue would be a start. We’ll see.
Don’t forget Merkel grew up in East Germany although she was the daughter of a clergyman. She was a part of the Communist Party I believe until after reunification. The German press will not be kind to her, bet on it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Merkel#Background
“Merkel supports a substantial reform agenda concerning Germany’s economic and social system. Merkel is considered to be more pro-free market (and pro-deregulation) than her own party (the CDU); she has advocated changes to German labour law, specifically, removing barriers to firing employees and increasing the allowed number of work hours in a week, arguing that current laws make the country less competitive because companies cannot easily control labour costs at times when business is slow. [1]
Merkel believes there should be a strong transatlantic partnership and German-American friendship. In the spring of 2003, defying strong public opposition, Merkel came out in favour of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, describing it as “unavoidable” and accusing Chancellor Gerhard Schröder of anti-Americanism. This led some critics to characterize her as an American lackey.
She opposes Turkish European Union membership and favours a “privileged partnership” instead. In doing so, she is seen as being in unison with an overwhelming majority of Germans who reject Turkish membership in the European Union, particularly due to fears that large waves of immigration may impose an unbearable burden on Germany and that there would be too much Islamist influence within the EU.
She believes that the existing nuclear power stations should be phased out less quickly than is advocated by the current government”
Well after making several mistatements I humbly admit that apparently Angela Merkel was not active in the Communist party in the GDR.
I’m going to be watching Germany now more closely than hereto fore. They need to get healthy economically. Maybe Merkel will have better luck than others but since half her cabinet is from the SPD and apparently have received all the plum jobs, I’ll not hold my breath.