As we see Chinese antiques democracy at the worst, in the riots and beatings on television of events in Tibet, we all know the peoples of Tibet are having that new train from China bring more settlers each day who speak a Mandarin language of north China, and make difficult normal life as it was in Tibet.



And now for the past hour I have been watching the Premier of China on a documentary live from Beijing.I have been making notes of his words, as I notice that he seems such a kindly, gentle man who did not himself invade China but since that has been a part of China since 1950 he is not in a position to give it back to itself.

And, anyway, now if a vote was to be taken it is likely that already the coastal Han Chinese could outvote the small Tibetan population. Game over, except for the protests. But the Premier, Wen Jiabao, impressed me as a very decent human being. And, amazing knowing all the ill will being felt towards China with all these recent events of melamine, dirty soil, blood oil, China seemed to me, as through Premier Wen, to be talking more about how we need to free our minds, reform is necessary, innovation is vital.

This was not the distrustful voice of Ivan from Muscovy, this man spoke so many words that made him sound and look like my loving Irish grandfather that I found myself marvel at his sincerity, it seemed to me. He was aware his words were being carefully measured around the world, and to me he sounded more like Thomas Jefferson than Karl Marx.

We shall see. There is much to deal with in this century coming at us, but if China is really joining the west, as we have seen Japan and many others do, and decide to continue to benefit their people by working in harmony with all neighbors and traders, then all to the good for us all. Skol. Ciao. Chin Chin. Smiles.

But to see this western style format where reporters are asking questions after his speech, seems more like the playful soft questions from friendly reporters and serious long answers from the leader.

But we do not see even any semblance of this from Moscow, and I somehow would not trust The Bear nearly as much as I trust that this obviously orchestrated interview in China tells us how the Panda hopes to meet the approval of the world in high moral conduct. I think he means it. I doubt Ivan does.

Again, we shall see. But for now, I would sooner trust a deal with the steady panda than the threatening bear.