Dear China, thank you very much for all the foreign direct investment that you have pumped into this country over the last few years. We are grateful. However we were really (naively) hoping it wouldnt come with strings attached. We were hoping that it was merely being given out of goodwill (we are a relatively new democracy and therefore havent yet fully realized that if you pat out back the favor must be returned). The problem is now however that our relationship with you has become a bit manipulative.....and to be honest rather petty....Seriously, would you really have withdrawn in a sulk if we had issued a visa to the Dalai Lama?? Have we resorted to 5 year old playground antics where if you are friends with so-and-so you cant be friends with me? Surely you realize that we have some sympathy for the people of Tibet (and we are to be honest also a bit nervous about the situation in Hong Kong at the moment...). Please understand that as much as we need Chinese-built infrastructure, we value being a people of integrity. We would rather be poor with the right to choose our own values, than rich......and sold out to the highest bidder. We want to thoughtfully make up our own mind about international affairs. Unfortunately, If you are going to try and control us through gifts and assistance we will need to reconsider this relationship. Yours sincerely, South Africa.
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 06:06:47 +0000