Fairytale of Beijing

( From Letters to the Editor, the

Economist)

SIR – Perhaps China will worry its neighbours further and make a claim that the North Pole is actually an extension of northern China, as found on an ancient map made during the Qing dynasty (“Regional turbulence”, November 30th). An air exclusion zone will be implemented and even Santa Claus will need to file a flight plan or be challenged by Chinese stealth fighters.

Its added leverage is that most of Santa’s toys are made in China, as many elves were laid off for cost-cutting reasons elsewhere. Santa will eventually become a citizen of the North Pole Special Autonomous Region and enjoy Chinese consular protection.

Neil Alexander
Vancouver