links for 2007-02-28

Nakagawa Shoichi “If something goes awry in Taiwan in the next 15 years, then within 20 years Japan might become just another one of China’s provinces.” … “If Taiwan comes under (China’s) complete rule, Japan could be next.”

“It is meaningless to discuss just a part of the entire speech,” Abe told reporters. “It’s also been said in the past that Japan would become the 51st state of the United States.”

“A group led by the state-run Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Chuo Mitsui Trust and Banking Co. has received the government go-ahead for emissions trading.”

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said China’s actions are consistent with its “peaceful rise” rhetoric, despite U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney’s recent statement to the contrary.