Dragon Fire

Zhongnanhai, Beijing, China

‘It was a complete success,’ said Tang Siju, the intelligence and strategic planning specialist for the Chinese military.

‘We deny involvement and in private negotiations stress that it was purely defensive,’ said President Tao Jian. ‘We do not want it to become a wider issue.’

They walked in silence past two Zhongnanhai guards. The President had insisted they meet in the grounds, to ensure that the conversation remained completely secret. No Chinese President had survived in office by trusting confidentiality to the walls of his own offices.

Tao stopped walking and stood on the shore of one of the man-made lakes in Zhongnanhai. He brushed away blossom which had fallen on the shoulders of his overcoat. ‘China successfully reasserted its regional strength with Operation Dragon Strike, and before he died I promised Comrade President Wang Feng that our stability and prosperity would be safe in my hands. We have an understanding with Japan, and America now knows its limited role in regional affairs. The governments of South-East Asia look to us for advice.’

‘Particularly when it comes to handling the West over accusations about human rights abuses and democratic reform,’ agreed Tang.

The Chinese President turned to him and smiled. ‘Exactly. The status quo in Taiwan and Hong Kong is acceptable to everyone. Only India is the problem and its emerging ambition to compete with us as a regional power. The sub-continent is an area of unpredictable madness. It worries me.’

‘We may have an opportunity to control India before it gets out of hand,’ said Tang.

‘He who excels in resolving difficulties does so before they arise,’ responded Tao, quoting from Sun Tzu’s essays on The Art of War written in 500 BC. ‘I am interested to hear what my strategic planner has to say about it.’

‘I was telephoned this morning by General Hamid Khan, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff,’ said Tang. ‘He has offered to open a second front again in Kashmir, should we need it.’

‘I would like to think we can handle India without Pakistan’s help,’ said Tao.

‘Pakistan is our oldest military ally,’ said Tang. ‘It would be a quicker solution.’