From The Newswires: Key meets Xi (to make rhyming easy) in China & over achieves mightily. While you could fill a set of Encyclopaedia Britannica with what he doesn’t/won’t do, he is remarkably good at building trust at all levels & at responding well to political & physical crises, a point not lost on Fabulous Fran in the Herald last week in 2 glowing opinion pieces (here & here). Arguably the apogee of his premiership (prime ministership sounds ridiculous…) thus far & a perfect indication of his ability to turn what could have been a fawning grovel for forgiveness over an embarrassing fiasco with our biggest trading power into a diplomatic & trade triumph that puts us way ahead in our dealings with China than anyone else in the “white” Pacific & Europe; truly extraordinary. Can’t imagine self-appointed future lord of Aotearoa & multi-talented diplomatic genius, the hero of Herne Bay … Continue reading 23.3.14 Edition of The Clearance