Tuesday 20 November 2012

That New Chinese Politburo

Pic: Wiki
So here I am back in Singapore with a chance to brush up my knowledge of the East.  The papers here follow Chinese affairs closely of course, and I've been reading up on the new Politburo.

Now the Communist Party of China works in mysterious ways, but it has come up with corker: the new Vice President in charge of Energy is this chap, Zhang Dejiang.

And - wait for it - he studied economics at the Kim Il Sung University in North Korea.

And we think we've got it bad on energy policy ? Actually, I always wondered about Chris Huhne ...  Good luck to the Chinese.

ND

11 comments:

Electro-Kevin said...

They may see him as a way of re-introducing communism.

The problem with Huhne et al is that they are aspiring Lefties. Their policies haven't yet failed. We have to take them seriously.

Greenism is communism by the back door. It is the limitation of consumption and aspiration by means of energy tax and size of wheelie bin.

People have reverted to using energy efficient cars which has lowered the sale of fuel and the take excise discs.

Guess what ?

The moot the idea of toll roads to make up for the loss in revenue.

That says it all.

rwendland said...

Interesting contrast with the west, in the past most Chinese leaders were trained as engineers or scientists. Perhaps explains why they were big on infrastructure development.

The latest Politburo Standing Committee looks like they've softened up a bit, with three economists and a historian! Maybe the missile designer will keep the softies in order:

Xi Jinping: chemical engineering

Li Keqiang: law LLB, economics PhD

Zhang Dejiang: Korean and economics

Yu Zhengsheng: engineer (missile design!)

Liu Yunshan: Teachers' College

Wang Qishan: history

Zhang Gaoli: economics

Wonder when Beijing University will start offering PPP?

It would be interesting to do a similar run-down for Indian leaders. Could this explain why Indian infrastructure is generally pretty poor.

rwendland said...

To test my own theory, here are the top 5 Indian politicians. 4 out of 5 did law - tempting to conclude "need I say more":

PM - Manmohan Singh: Economics

Defence - A. K. Antony: Law

Finance - P. Chidambaram: statistics, law, MBA

Home Affairs - Sushilkumar Shinde: law

External affairs - Salman Khurshid: English and Law

Electro-Kevin said...

In court cases 50% of lawyers are wrong 100% of the time.

Then the buggers turn their 'talents' to running the country.


Budgie said...

"That new Chinese Politburo" - self appointed like the EU/EZ politburo.

Anonymous said...

Electro-Kevin: "The problem with Huhne .. "

is that he hasn't yet be slung in prison.

Sebastian Weetabix said...

Ah.... Singapore. Wonderful place. Rang Mahal in the Pan-Pacific hotel has the best Indian food I've ever eaten. Mmm.

Demetrius said...

It could have been much worse, he might have gone to study Jurisprudence at St. John's College, Oxford.

Nick Drew said...

SW - yes, and last time around you advised me to visit the Battle Box

which I have duly done this week - and am most grateful for your recommendation !

Sebastian Weetabix said...

Jeez... I'd forgotten about that. Glad to see I'm consistent!

Agence communication said...

it is a very nice idea that can make us feel so happy in the way that can make us now more informations and more "" Now the Communist Party of China works in mysterious ways, but it has come up with corker: the new Vice President in charge of Energy is this chap, Zhang Dejiang.

And - wait for it - he studied economics at the Kim Il Sung University in North Korea.

And we think we've got it bad on energy policy ? Actually, I always wondered about Chris Huhne ... Good luck to the Chinese.

""