Praise for Rudd's speech in China

mike · #1 (**permalink**) 04-14-2008, 12:32 AM

I am in Beijing now, so it was interesting to see how his speech was received.

Geremie Barme from ANU wrote an interesting article for the SMH.

Quote:

Rudd's tactic was to deftly sidestep the vice-like embrace of that model of friendship by substituting another. "A strong relationship, and a true friendship," he told the students, "are built on the ability to engage in a direct, frank and ongoing dialogue about our fundamental interests and future vision.

Rudd rewrites the rules of engagement - Opinion - smh.com.au

blopp · #2 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 06:32 AM

he's pretty popular in England too...
let's hope he can push this interest rate down...

Wanderer · #3 (**permalink**) 04-20-2008, 12:00 AM

Don't know how it would have all been received by the party heirarchy, and as to

Quote:

By introducing the term zhengyou with all of its liberating connotations into our dealings with China, Kevin Rudd has achieved something of considerable significance.

I expect considerable significance can be read any which way!, and the direction taken with Liang could well be the way.

Personally, Rudd comes across as someone not really saying much other than what he thinks will be received well. Kyoto, Indigenous promises (unable to be met) not too much in China on Tibet I assume and now his talkfest, perhaps a consumate bureaucrat we could say.