Lethal Trajectories by Michael Conley

Author:Michael Conley
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: General, fiction
ISBN: 9781592984541
Publisher: Beaver's Pond Press
Published: 2011-05-01T04:00:00+00:00

39

Beijing, China

3 October 2017

Lin Cheng and Wang Peng were emotionally spent as they trudged out of their second PSC meeting since returning from Camp David. Today’s meeting, though challenging, had gone far better than the first one. Both were deep in thought as they walked back to Lin Cheng’s office.

Once there, Lin poured the obligatory cup of tea and then plowed into the business at hand.

“What was your general impression of the meeting, Peng?”

Wang thought carefully before answering. The Politburo Standing Committee members were still in a foul mood, but progress had been made. He admired the way his boss had stood his ground, recognizing that any wavering would be interpreted as a weakness to be exploited later.

“It was better than Monday’s meeting,” he responded, “but still tough going. They were fuming about our lack of progress on Chunxiao and seemed more interested in settling scores with Japan than addressing the Saudi crisis.”

“Yes, yes,” Lin replied with an edge to his voice, “but when did you start to see the turn in their thinking?”

“Actually, I think it got worse before it got better,” Wang answered cautiously. “They were still unhappy with the idea of collaborating with the Americans on anything. Frankly, I saw little hope you would turn their thinking on these issues.”

“Peng, answer the question,” Lin said with uncharacteristic sharpness.

“Yes, Mr. Chairman, I am sorry to digress. I think the tide started to turn when you shared the CIA report with them. The translation of the report you walked them through was useful. It helped them think beyond our borders and understand the full impact the Saudi crisis would have on China.”

“Were there any particular points that resonated more strongly than others?”

This is classic Lin Cheng: focusing on leverage points and probing for weaknesses, Wang mused before speaking.

“I think when you shifted the focus to oil supply as it impacts China, rather than on cold war polemics, they started to appreciate what was at stake.”

“Do you think they understood the implications of the asymmetric approach suggested in the CIA report?” Lin asked, probing, it seemed, for the golden nugget.

“Initially, no; I think their most immediate reaction was that China shouldn’t cut a deal with the Americans but rather look to make a deal with the new Saudi regime. They felt that the Saudis do not dislike China as they do the United States and the Western powers, and they thought we could work with them. You made two points that turned their thinking around, Mr. Chairman.”

“And they were?” Lin asked.

“Well, first, you reminded them we operate in a global economy and rely on imports of foreign raw materials to manufacture the finished goods we export to other countries. You challenged them to think about where we would be if the global economy collapsed, removing the markets for our finished goods. When you predicted the increase in unemployment and civil disobedience that would follow if this chain were broken, the lights went on. Suddenly, this was more than an abstract cold war issue; it was a crisis that would impact them in their own districts.

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