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| East Asia |
| China, US Strengthen Anti-terrorism Cooperation in Container Security |
| 2003-07-30 |
| China has been playing nice with us these past few weeks, apparently because we are helping them to put the squeeze on Taiwan to prevent a referendum. While I recognize the need for the US to make deals with the likes of France and the ChiComs to win this war, I am opposed to any compromise that undermines democracy in any nation whether our ally or not. China and the United States signed a cooperation declaration on the Container Security Initiative (CSI) here Tuesday, with an aim to increase anti-terrorism cooperation in container security. The declaration was signed by Mou Xinsheng, director of the General Administration of Customs of China and Mr. Bonner, bureau chief of the Customs and Border Protection of the United States. According to the declaration, the U.S. will send customs officials to ports in Shanghai and Shenzhen. The US customs officials should respect China’s sovereignty andabide by Chinese laws, while similarly, Chinese customs officials can be sent to US ports. CSI is an important part of the US global anti-terrorism strategy, helping identify and check high risk containers before they are delivered to the United States. [...] |
| Posted by:11A5S |
| #5 They're copying a tactic used by the Japanese to reduce or stop US imports - and keep that trade imbalance artificially high. One of our Japan experts should jump in here and inform us all about the incredible protection afforded Japanese farmers and manufacturers. The Japanese public would like much greater access to American products, but it's stymied by the intentionally perverse importation process (e.g. fruit rots on the dock while a single inspector takes his time with an entire cargo ship...). |
| Posted by: PD 2003-7-30 11:42:47 AM |
| #4 Of course we have little control over the high seas...the Pirates are there. Yarrr! |
| Posted by: Brian 2003-7-30 11:03:44 AM |
| #3 As illustrated in one of Tom Clancey's novels, we can do without Communist China but they cannot do without us. |
| Posted by: Chuck 2003-7-30 8:41:14 AM |
| #2 China has been playing nice with us They're letting our guys in because they have to. The alternative is a massive slowdown in imports from China, as each container is examined stateside. They need this. Their economy would slow down significantly if each container were inspected in California. They're continuing with their shell game on North Korea. They armed the Koreans and are now pretending to help us while stiff-arming any real progress in disarming the DPRK. Chinese customs officials can be sent to US ports Pretty funny how these guys found a brand new way to restrict US exports to China. They don't call 'em sneaky for nothing. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2003-7-30 12:57:36 AM |
| #1 The most recent issue of The Atlantic (September) has a big article on the lawlessness at sea. Not on-line yet but worth a read when it is. We have so little control over what happens on the high seas. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2003-7-30 12:47:04 AM |