China -- the minor axis of evil?

"Minor axis of evil" -- an elliptical (pun intended) statement by which we really mean China consorts with terrorists. Yes folks, this is what the US State Department spokesman implied through his comments regarding Iran's presence at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting. According to this spokesman, inviting Iran over casts doubt on the SCO's self-proclaimed mission of combating terrorism and extremism in the region.

What's worse is that we are showing films from that stronghold of state-sponsored terrorism. Cafe Star by Saman Moghadam will be showing in the competition section of the Shanghai International Film Festival.

In other China-related terrorism news, Americans here can breath easy now. The previously reported "terrorist threat against U.S. interests" has been retracted:

After further investigation and coordination with the Chinese authorities, the United States Government has determined that the information provided on June 9, 2006 no longer warrants a heightened level of concern. Our warden notice of June 9, 2006 is therefore retracted.

Also on Shanghaiist:
The Dark SIFF has returned

Photo of Cafe Star from the Iranian Students News Agency.