Steven Kuo needs to be challenged on two points (“Knee-jerk Western response to Brics relations with Russia not in SA’s interests”, February 2). He talks about “open trade and commerce”, that China needs this, and that President Xi Jinping has reversed policies in the way of free trade. But when Chinese businesses are either owned by the all-powerful Chinese Communist Party or operate under its thumb, free trade with them will be a delusion. The old saying that “you will need a long spoon” if yo...