The next time someone says China’s energy policies are more environmentally friendly than those of the US, remind them that China subsidizes petrol. (via Danwei):

Gasoline prices in China have dropped for the first time since 2002. Number 93 juice now costs RMB 3.55 per liter (USD 0.43 / liter) in Beijing, RMB 0.13 cheaper than it was yesterday.

In the US state of Missouri which currently has the cheapest gasoline in America, gas goes for USD 1.92 per gallon, or about USD 0.50 per liter. So it’s cheaper to drive your SUV in China than it is in gasoline-loving USA.

Macroblog points to an FT report that notes Dr Henry Kissinger has been acting as an emissary to China on currency issues:

Henry Kissinger, former US secretary of state, is one of a number of unofficial envoys who have impressed upon China the urgent need for action on the 10 per cent target, and on the seriousness of the threat from Congress, people with familiar with the administration’s efforts said.

As well as the minimum 10 per cent target revaluation, Dr Kissinger was briefed by the Treasury on the need for other measures, such as a shift to a currency band against the dollar or a basket against a number of currencies to replace the peg…

Perhaps it wasn’t such a bad idea to have Kissinger at the recent CLSA Forum.

Odd satire via the Horse’s Mouth:

If I didn’t have faith in the supidity of man, this would be unbelieveable.

Spectators cheered as entire Cambodian Midget Fighting League squared off against African Lion

….The fight was called in only 12 minutes, after which 28 fighters were declared dead, while the other 14 suffered severe injuries including broken bones and lost limbs, rendering them unable to fight back.

Sihamoni was quoted before the fight stating that he felt since his fighters out-numbered the lion 42 to 1, that they “… could out-wit and out-muscle [it].”

They probably should have had more muscle wine.

Jeremy at Danwei rightfully sees a lot of wishful thinking in Nicholas Kristof’s column on Chinese cyber dissent:

But there are a few things to consider before you believe that the Internet is somehow going to unseat the Party:
- People like Li Xinde are far and few between.
- Li Xinde’s website is decorated with a banner featuring a picture of Hu Jintao and animated Party slogans like "Completely support the Three Represents" (reproduced above). Li Xinde is himself a Party member.
- The government is becoming increasingly sophisticated at using different techniques to influence public opinion on the Internet. Aside from blocking websites and monitoring email, the government also employs propagandists to push the Party line on Internet forums and bulletin boards.

Indeed, I suspect the propaganda bureau has even started to pay Australia-based bloggers.

WANTED(Red Notice):Li Hongzhi

He
is the founder of Falundafa evil cult.He believes aliens walk the Earth
and  has said he can walk through walls and make himself invisible.He
also says that he is a being from a higher level, who has come to help
all humankind from the destruction it could face as the result of
the "rampant evil".