For me, the major difference is in how the two regimes engage the rest of the world. WHen the money's so good, it's all too easy for nations to ignore other nations' treatment of their own citizens, and that's the thin edge of the wedge.
Beijing has cemented its power economically, which is ultimately far more powerful than military hegemony. For example, the US won't make a peep about China's record, since China basically owns American debt.
Truemors
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at 13:33 on May 11th, 2008
For me, the major difference is in how the two regimes engage the rest of the world. WHen the money's so good, it's all too easy for nations to ignore other nations' treatment of their own citizens, and that's the thin edge of the wedge.
Beijing has cemented its power economically, which is ultimately far more powerful than military hegemony. For example, the US won't make a peep about China's record, since China basically owns American debt.