Join US in a Mighty Fight

The front page of today's South China Morning Post shouts out "US sees bigger role for China in Afghanistan." Obama is requesting that Papa Beijing open up the tiny border between the northwest of China and east of Afghanistan for the purpose of forming supply lines to the troops. Obama's pledge to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan over the next few weeks, pushing the number of troops to about 100,000, raises more concerns about the most efficient way to supply those troops. In the past, lines through Pakistan have been repeatedly attacked.

According to Foreign Minister spokesman Qin Gang "negotiations were continuing." While Beijing would be happy to see the Taliban and al Qaeda supporters crushed, it remains wary of the US-led operation in Afghanistan.

The US is also seeking a bigger role for China with infrastructure after the withdrawal in Afghanistan in 2011. China has been directly investing in Afghanistan with a 3.5 billion dollar deal  to operate a copper mine in Aynak. China is building a mosque and hospital for local workers and will get half the output when production begins in 2011.