CHINA WANTS DEMOCRACY !

[Jessica]

From GEORGE PASCOE-WATSON
Deputy Political Editor in Bejing

TONY Blair?s mission to Asia was boosted last night when China?s premier Wen Jiabao vowed his country WILL become a democracy.

Mr Blair was visibly shocked when Wen publicly promised the world?s largest country is heading for a peaceful revolution.

The Chinese PM said free votes for all in the communist superpower are on their way.

British diplomats believe his comments are a ?significant? step forward.

They came at a press conference after hours of talks in Beijing with Mr Blair who holds the EU Presidency.

Wen declared: ?This is a very big question regarding China?s political reform. I will not dodge the question. We have direct elections at village level but we must have an evolving system for our towns and urban areas.

?But China will press ahead with its democratic policies.?

Observers said last night it would take another 20 to 30 years and a new generation to grow up before China?s communist grip is finally broken.

But a Foreign Office source insisted: ?There is no doubt Premier Wen?s words were significant. It shows they are taking the first faltering steps towards democracy.?

Mr Blair raised the issue of democracy during talks with Wen in the Great Hall of the People.

China?s economy is booming, with 1,000 new cars arriving on Beijing?s streets every day.

Builders are constructing 127 brand new airports to try and keep pace with the breathtaking economic expansion.

Learning English is already compulsory for all children.

But critics point to the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre of pro-democracy students as an example of the communist government?s ruthless oppression.


Mr Blair also raised the issue of China?s record on human rights.

The EU has said it must improve for its 16-year arms embargo to be lifted.

Britain?s PM yesterday signed trade deals worth ?2billion.

A giant contract for Airbus jets is set to be clinched today.

He flies to India tomorrow with wife Cherie on the next leg of his trade mission.

   

[Tj]

127 new airports?! Well, they must have more money than me, but then I have only got about ?4.

[SLCPUNK]

Liberate them!!!

[SLCPUNK]

127 new airports?! Well, they must have more money than me, but then I have only got about ?4.

That have amassed massive amounts of our debt. They could wipe our economy out if they wanted to just by dumping it or not buying it anymore....

[Axls Locomotive]

chinese garments for sale two fer a pound, two fer a pound

maybe axl has been working behind the scenes...maybe we mistook chinese democracy for an album...maybe he is democratising china instead...

[Captain P?l]

chinese garments for sale two fer a pound, two fer a pound

maybe axl has been working behind the scenes...maybe we mistook chinese democracy for an album...maybe he is democratising china instead...

yeah, president axl? hell team up with arnold? :p

[nesquick]

Within the next 20 years, China will become the most powerfull country in the world. It will be a superpower.

[BigCombo]

This is really surprising news because the Chinese government is tightening their grip over Hong Kong's democracy.  They really should be using it as a model if they plan to implement democracy to 1 billion people.

[SLCPUNK]

Within the next 20 years, China will become the most powerfull country in the world. It will be a superpower.

Maybe sooner.

[Krispy Kreme]

"democracy" in Marxist/Leninist/Maoist language does not mean the same  thing as in Western societies.

[Kitano]

(spoken)
The world today is absolutely cracked.
With nuclear bombs to blow us all sky high.
There's fools and idiots sitting on the trigger.
It's depressing, and it's senseless, and that's why...

(singing)
I like chinese,
I like chinese,
They only come up to you knees,
Yet they're always friendly and they're ready to to please.

I like chinese,
I like chinese,
There's nine hundred million of them in the world today,
You'd better learn to like them, that's what I say.

I like chinese,
I like chinese,
They come from a long way overseas,
But they're cute, and they're cuddly, and they're ready to please.

I like chinese food,
The waiters never are rude,
Think the many things they've done to impress,
There's maoism, taoism, eging and chess.

I like chinese,
I like chinese,
I like their tiny little trees,
Their zen, their ping-pong, their ying and yang-eze.

I like chinese thought,
The wisdom that Confusious taught,
If Darwin is anything to shout about,
The chinese will survive us all without any doubt.

So, I like chinese,
I like chinese,
They only come up to you knees,
Yet they're wise, and they're witty, and they're ready to please

Wo, I chumba run,
Wo, I chumba run,
Wo, I chumba run,
Ne hamma, Ne hamma, Ne hamma chi chen.

I like chinese,
I like chinese,
They're food is guaranteed to please,
A fourteen, a seven, a nine and li-chese

I like chinese,
I like chinese,
I like their tiny little trees,
Their zen, their ping-pong, their yin and yang-eze

I like chinese,
I like chinese,
(fade out....)