[Nesti (Mark)]

I've read a lot of good arguments in this thread...perhaps at the end of the day what we're actually seeing is in fact tell-tale signs of a paridigm shift in the way global politics and commercialism is done.

There is a transition happening...and we're caught in the midst of a global balancing of currencies, trade, sovereignty and power.

China, the US and Europe are all deflating their currencies in a desperate bid to increase exports (link this comment to my later comment of precedence)...while we're being 'beach-balled' above the surface as a result of their actions - No, we're not ahead of the financial curve; we're actually experiencing an artificial currency climb and prosperity hike!

Israel is thumbing its nose at the US too...maybe smelling blood in the water.

The BRIC Block was established and is active...SDRs are also active - that's a sign of things to come in itself.

Back to the Stern Hu issue...he's entirely expendable. In fact, this is Chinas' opportunity to create a new international precedence for commercial activity within China. China can and will take every opportunity to let the world know that business will be done their way...or as close to it as possible.

In relation to pointing the finger at who's better or worse than the other...just name a country and there's dirt, it's that simple. The only thing that counts now is being able to READ the play.

Stocks and shares are old news these days...look for spin-offs; projects which takes advantage of the global climate.