support for China

Andrew Forrest wants us to support China. During the coronavirus epidemic, in particular.

Why does he care? He's a great philanthropist, that's why. Oh, and his immense fortune depends on trade -- and good relations -- with China.

His mining company has donated thousands of face masks "to support health workers". In China? Nice thought but wouldn't it be easier to just send a million dollars to the Chinese factory which produces the masks?

Perhaps he could send those face masks to airports and hospitals in Australia, where staff have a sudden and unexpected need to deal with people who may be infected. The mining company masks are -- presumably -- already in Australia.

Oh, and he is also giving a million dollars to help turn a Wuhan sports stadium into a hospital. Nice thought... but the money is going to one of his own customers.

All this is useful, probably. It is also marketing. And every dollar is tax deductible -- probably twice, for the stadium conversion.

Nice try but tax deductible marketing is not philanthropy.

But you know what really annoys me?

Forrest wants everyone else to support his efforts to support his company profits. What, forget that "their political system is different to ours"? Forget that China locks up millions of its own citizens for their political and religious differences? Forget that China ignores laws regarding copyright? attempts to hack other governments and influence our elections? adds poisons to milk in order to make more profit? sells shoddy ripoffs where it can? buys up Australian businesses?

Yes, we need to remember that Chinese people are people. As people they get our concern and support. That does not mean that we should all send money to China in support of Forrest's mining profits.

Nick Lethbridge  /  consulting dexitroboper
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"I took out a loan to pay for an exorcism. If I don't pay it back, I'm going to get repossessed." … Olaf Falafel
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