Kevin Rudd’s diplomatic orgasm

Funny story from Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s early days in the foreign service: Rudd, a Mandarin-speaking former diplomat and self-avowed Sinophile, told students at the Australian National University about an error he made as a junior envoy in Beijing. “Apparently, what I’d said as I sought to elevate his expression into a more classical ...

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CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd laughs during the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Retreat at Whitfield House on August 6, 2009 in Cairns, Australia. The Pacific Islands Forum is this year hosted by Australia, and illustrates Australia's committment to working with the Pacific Islands nations to create positive outcomes for the people of the Pacific. The 15 member countries attending the annual forum are Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Funny story from Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s early days in the foreign service:

Rudd, a Mandarin-speaking former diplomat and self-avowed Sinophile, told students at the Australian National University about an error he made as a junior envoy in Beijing.

“Apparently, what I’d said as I sought to elevate his expression into a more classical form, was that China and Australia are currently experiencing fantastic mutual orgasm,” he said, delivering a speech late Thursday.

“Ever since then, our Chinese friends have remembered my visits to Beijing, (saying) ‘Ah, you were the one…’,” added Rudd.

“Perhaps that explains some of the challenges in our current relationship with the Chinese.”

Chinese-Australian relations have been somewhat less than orgasmic lately.

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