quote of the week

'It is meant to educate, excite, unite and entertain. If a tad of 'shock and awe' is delivered around the world, all well and good.'

Geremie Barme is a China scholar at the Australian National University

Barme was talking about the military parade for the 60th National Day. He is a China expert in Australia.

Barme compares Thursday's display with past parades. He thinks the march was mostly aimed at Chinese people.

The parade was meant to 'educate' and 'excite' them. Beijing usually does not show off how strong its army is. This makes other countries think it might be hiding the truth.

The parade was also to 'unite and entertain'. It showed the different people in China.

It also showed the different parts of China.

The phrase 'a tad' means 'a little'. Example: 'Give me a tad of mustard on my hot dog, please.' Or, 'I think Sherman is a tad strange'.

Barme uses 'shock and awe' to mimic the term used by former US leader George W. Bush. At that time, Bush was talking about the Iraqi war.

Barme means the parade would shock the world. It would also make the world respect China because the weapons were so good.

'Well and good' means something is acceptable.