"Such a question is of course inimical to human decency. And yet we must consider that Xi Jinping has produced the greatest program of ethnic cleansing in the world today. He has curtailed freedoms in China severely and is the father of the panopticon state. His incessant military buildup threatens neighbors while using economic and other subversive means to erode the sovereignty of countries around the world. We should not assume it was beyond his imagining to withhold a degree of support from the international community to ensure that China would not suffer alone.
Strong evidence supports this idea. Hearing the World Health Organization (WHO) repeat and praise the Party line while giving short shrift to health advice until quite recently has alarmed many. Seeing Beijing sell defective wares and claim it as humanitarian aid has angered many more. Spreading disinformation during the crisis and hinting at using life-saving goods for leverage (original here) — while denying even the faintest hint of wrongdoing — I suspect have ruined China’s reputation for some time to come. In short, China’s good offices have been reserved almost entirely for burnishing its image at the world’s expense, while calling it “the greatest kindness and good deeds.”
None of this can prove whether or when Xi made a deliberate decision to withhold information in order to imperil others. However, as a long-time student and admirer of China, it is with great sadness I must concede that such a state — and its increasingly paranoid leader — might very well provide less than full cooperation to stem the pandemic of the century in the crass pursuit of its own interests. This may constitute biological warfare. But even if it doesn’t Xi should be brought to account for his other crimes against humanity." The diplomat
https://thediplomat.com/2020/04/did-xi-jinping-deliberately-sicken-the-world/
Keith,
Thank you for the references.
The Epoch times needs to be read carefully as it is associated with Falun Gong.
As far as industrial intelligence goes, I have first hand experience of Korean and Israeli efforts. They were not particularly subtle. I wouldn’t trust any foreigner or dual national with your IP “crown jewels” these days.
That said, mostly Industrial espionage is about money. It’s almost a spectator sport to watch. The USA is a player too.
It gets more serious when there are military applications.
Posted by: walrus | 18 April 2020 at 08:58 PM
Does anyone here remember their experiences on the public school playground during recess?
I remember several playground bullies who committed lots of bad deeds "accidentally on purpose."
Posted by: Diana Croissant | 23 April 2020 at 09:33 AM