...it''s the unemployment statistics that count (and, most importantly, the potential fallout in terms of social unrest). As the FT reports here, there are twenty million rural migrants who are now unemployed after their export-oriented manufacturing jobs vanished in the global crisis.

When he wasn''t dodging shoes, Wen Jiabao visiting London echoed Gordon Brown and others in blaming the international crisis on untramelled greed in the boardrooms of banks in the West. They''re both right, of course. But just as we all know Gordon Brown is also trying to deflect whatever blame he may bear, so Wen Jiabao also has a domestic agenda. There is a small but significant danger that those who are unemployed, or whose businesses go bust, may turn against the Communist leadership. It would make sense for Wen Jiabao to turn that anger outwards towards the western world. And - given the situation - it would be easy and logical. He must, however, be aware that dangers lie in that direction too.   

 Meanwhile, the government has launched a new scheme to sell electrical goods to the vast, but poor, rural population. It''s a policy that raises questions about joined-up thinking.  How will a newly unemployed rural labourer afford the flat-screen tv? Until you realise that this is just another variation of  the policy of governments worldwide. Never mind that you no longer have any savings, just spend!

I decided the only way I could continue writing for CiF was not to read the comments. Which is a pity... I think blogs of all sorts attract very aggressive criticism, but China-related ones perhaps more than others.

It struck me - not the shoe, obviously - when pondering on the protest, that it's a healthy thing for people to voice their opinions to today's politicians, wherever they may be. Aggressive online comment is another thing all together, whoever the target is. But in terms of the protest you refer to, hey...at least the chap put his heart and sole into it....

I agree, and I didn''t like that Cambridge had carefully composed an overwhelmingly friendly audience for Wen Jiabao, and were obviously terrified of any whiff of controversy. Obviously I''m not talking about shoe-throwing here, but still I think it''s a pity he can avoid the kind of challenging questioning that the leaders of western democracies would get on a foreign trip.

My reference to aggressive comments on the Comment is Free site was actually in response to a comment made by Wendy (under the blog below).  I''m all in favour of freedom of speech, but people seem to say things online that they would never say in a public forum face to face. 

I'll have a look at Wendy's comments...if that's his/ her real name? Online aggression is an unpleasant thing..but i think the online world lends itself to that kind of behaviour ? Those who are very quiet in real life, and perhaps mice like, become very brave on the internet? Have to say though, i hope you clocked my heart and 'sole' joke.........When all else fails, a naff joke can always come to the rescue....

I absolutely got the joke, and enjoyed it!