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[quote=BOBERT,370731]Beijing ramps up the humiliationFont Size: Decrease Increase Print Page: Print Greg Sheridan, Foreign editor | July 13, 2009 Article from: The Australian IF Rio Tinto executive Stern Hu is not released from a Chinese prison soon, the pressure on Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and Kevin Rudd to intervene directly with their counterparts will become irresistible. If it reaches that stage, their intervention will probably be ineffective, and that would be even more humiliating. Trade Minister Simon Crean has made representations on Hu's behalf, but was given a mid-level official to deal with. The Chinese seem determined to continue to humiliate Canberra. The bottom line is clear - if Hu is not released, our relationship with China is shattered and the Rudd government will be profoundly embarrassed and seen to have no influence in Beijing. So far, there is nothing to criticise in the Rudd government's response. It is doing everything it can and understands the grotesque injustice done to Hu, the intimidation China is trying to exert on Australia and the high stakes involved. Prime ministerial and foreign minister calls are cards Canberra will need to play eventually, but it is reasonable to extend some tactical flexibility to the Rudd government. However, there is also nothing wrong in Malcolm Turnbull's energetic prosecution of the issue. Only if the broad Australian civil society demonstrates its shock and anger at China's crude tactics of intimidation is there a chance that cooler heads in Beijing might see the damage these outrageous actions are doing to China's reputation internationally, as well as its interests in Australia. Indeed, in its own way, and within only the limits of formal diplomatic constraints, the Rudd government was itself making maximum efforts yesterday to put pressure on the Chinese authorities along these lines. Both Smith and Assistant Treasurer Chris Bowen tellingly said that China would harm its reputation among international companies, and discourage foreign businessmen from working there, through its actions in the Hu matter. These comments can only be based on the presumption, which is shared by every reasonable observer, that the charges against Hu are completely ridiculous, and completely political. It is important, analytically, not to get caught up in the proceduralism of the Chinese legal system. There is no rule of law in China. The Chinese have made it clear they can regard any commercial matter as a matter of their national interest, and any negotiation involving it therefore as involving Chinese state secrets. [/quote]
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