The End of the World.. as we know it, page 1

This thread has mentioned China a few times and I suspect that there is a full on trade war happening as a land grab behind the scenes that's not making it to the publics attention.

Below are some headlines that I have saved over the last two months. After reading this you may see that the politics and greed has already started

(From THE FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW)

China Diverts Dollars To Buy Oil

Although still intervening heavily in the foreign-exchange market,
in the last few months China has radically scaled back its purchases of
United States bonds.

In September, Chinese institutions were actually net
sellers of U.S. government and agency debt by $2.8 billion, even though foreign
reserves rose by $19 billion. (sold agencies)

Now, economists and market strategists are beginning to wonder what Beijing is
doing with all the dollars it is buying.
Chinese state media provided a partial answer in early December,
reporting that Beijing plans to build up a 90-day, 50-million-tonne strategic
oil reserve.

At current crude prices of around $30 a barrel, that will cost
China $10 billion. Bankers and brokers in Hong Kong predict further
large purchases of strategic materials, together with the possible acquisition
of equity stakes in overseas suppliers over the coming year.

If pursued, China's diversification away from U.S. government bonds will be bad
news for Washington, which has relied heavily on China's debt purchases to fund
its fiscal and current-account deficits. In Asia, some economists even say
Washington had it coming, suggesting that the switch

This could develope to full trade war;

Steelmaker warns west of exports from China
By Rebecca Bream
Published: November 30 2003 22:15 | Last Updated: November 30 2003 22:15

Lakshmi Mittal, the owner of the world's second largest steel company, will warn
western steelmakers on Monday that China represents the biggest threat to their
livelihoods and substantial consolidation is required if they are to survive.

China "firmly opposes" US quota move
( 2003-11-19 14:25) (chinadaily.com.cn/Agencies)

China firmly opposed the US move to slap new import quotas on textile products
from China, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce said in Beijing Wednesday.

"The Chinese government expresses deep regret and firmly opposes this decision,"
said Chong Quan, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce. He hinted that China
may take the issue up with the World Trade Organisation.

China Scraps Soybean Visit as Textile Makers Seek Retaliation

Nov. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Chinese trade officials scrapped a
visit to the U.S. to meet soybean sellers this week, raising
concern the government may retaliate after the Bush administration
placed curbs on some textile imports.

China Planning Military Space Force
BEIJING (SAPA) -- China is researching lasers and missiles that could attack satellites as part of a planned "deterrent" space force, said officials quoted by state media on Monday.

The success of Shenzhou V, China's first manned space mission, means, "Chinese people have already obtained the key to commanding the heights of space," a People's Liberation Army (PLA) official involved in the Shenzhou V project told the weekly China Business Post.

Bush's Bad Currency

President Bush is embarking on his six-day Asian trip just as the world economy
shows marked improvement. Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong are recovering from
slumps, and even moribund Germany shows signs of life. The biggest threat to all
of this would be if China and Japan take Mr. Bush's advice to manipulate their
allegedly "undervalued" exchange rates. The President is playing election year
politics here but he's also playing with fire.

Commission Advises Congress on China� s Currency, Industrial Policies
------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bob Bean � 202-624-1452

October15,2003

Web site: www.uscc.gov

Today the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission sent findings and
recommendations to the Congressional Leadership for addressing aspects of
China� s exchange rate and industrial policies that are harming U.S. exporters
and U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. The Commission held a hearing on
September 25, 2003 examining � China� s Industrial, Investment, and Exchange
Rate Policies: Impact on the U.S.� The Commission developed its findings and
recommendations after weighing the testimony of Members of the House and Senate,
economists, academics, and representatives of business and labor.

China Imposes Limits On Foreign Investors - FT
2003-10-09 18:51 (New York)

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Worried about possible currency speculation by
investment banks, China during the last month has stalled the expansion
of a
plan to attract foreign investment funds into its domestic capital
markets, The
Financial Times reported Thursday, citing bankers.
The central government has approved substantially lower amounts than
investment banks had applied for, significantly restricting the amounts
the
banks can put into the market on behalf of their clients, the paper
reported on
its Web site.

China Orders 3 Mln Tons of U.S. Soybeans to Boost Stockpile
2003-09-25 00:00 (New York)

China Orders 3 Mln Tons of U.S. Soybeans to Boost Stockpile

Sept. 25 (Bloomberg) -- China, the world's biggest
soybean buyer, placed new orders for about 3 million metric
tons of the oilseed for delivery from the middle of November
to December to boost its stockpile, the government said.
China boosted purchases because buyers anticipate
prices will rise further in the coming months, the China
National Grain & Oils Information Center, a state grain
bureau affiliate, said in a report.