Countries make expediency a top priority
As Pierce Lam's letter ('Bronzes belong to all of China', March 27) argues, these ever-talked-about bronzes should be returned to China, and the people of China should put bickering across the Taiwan Strait to one side.
Of course, the bronzes are a piece of Chinese history that should not have been stolen amidst an orgy of cultural vandalism, which should never have happened. On the other hand, the current problems in Tibet should be solved, and the Dalai Lama, a Nobel peace laureate, should have been allowed to attend a peace conference in South Africa.
Also, there should be a resolution to territorial border disputes, such as those over the Falklands/ Malvinas and Diaoyu/Senkaku islands. The US should conduct its wars and foreign policy in a responsible manner.
Perhaps most urgently, the terrible situation in Darfur should be dealt with.
Mr Lam's letter illustrates a sentiment that is voiced frequently in regards to many topics, the controversy of the bronzes being just one issue that has aroused passions. The fact of matter is that, unfortunately, what should be done does not dictate what is done on the international stage [where nations opt for] expediency.
This is why among the most pressing things we 'should' do is the expansion and wider acceptance of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.
