The Chinese Riddle

Rupert Murdoch with Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People

The Chinese like to talk in riddles, particularly their leaders.

Chinese President Xi Jinping received Rupert Murdoch in the Great Hall of the People today. The News Corp chairman probably wanted to pay his respects in the hopes that he might get a sign that the ban would be lifted on his Wall Street Journal website.

Wen Jiabao's family's wealth was unraveled by the NYT

According to Xinhua Xi said: "[We] welcome foreign media and correspondents to cover China stories, introducing China's development to the world, and helping the world grasp the opportunities (afforded by) China's development."

What did Murdoch say in return?

He apparently said to China Daily: "We are very happy, in my newspapers and different news outlets, to try and foster more understanding between our two countries (the United States and China), I think not just on a formal basis, but also with people themselves."

What Xi and Murdoch said need to be taken with huge grains of salt because Chinese state media aren't the most accurate when reporting what people, particularly foreigners say. Their words can be massaged to fit the agenda, and here it's to give the impression that China is open for reporting.

Wendi Deng on the day her divorce was finalized in New York

But what of blocking not only WSJ, but also The New York Times, Reuters and Bloomberg sites?

And not issuing journalist visas to both The New York Times and Bloomberg apparently in retaliation for them publishing stories about senior leaders' families and their web of wealth?

Meanwhile it's interesting Murdoch is making this pilgrimage after his 14-year divorce from Wendi Deng, who wasn't able to help him crack the China market... or perhaps she had other things in mind?

In any case it's no illusion that Murdoch is keen for global media domination and China is the biggest market he has yet to conquer. Apparently 21st Century Fox is looking for a Chinese partner to build theme parks around popular films and TV shows like The Simpsons.

Will we see a Simpsons' themed park in China soon?

Will China let him in?

Does Xi's statement above give any indication?

Murdoch Moving On

Murdoch is starting the new chapter in his life, and what about ex-wife Wendi?

Media baron Rupert Murdoch says that allegations his ex-wife Wendi Deng had an affair with former UK prime minister Tony Blair led to him divorcing her after 14 years of marriage.

The 83-year-old founder, chairman and CEO of News Corporation also confirmed the existence of a note in which Deng gushed about Blair that was published in Vanity Fair last month.

"I regret the whole Vanity Fair thing," he said in an interview with Fortune magazine. "I wish we just could have got a divorce quietly."

The damning note in a diary entry says in part: "Whatever why I'm so so missing Tony. Because he is so so charming and his clothes are so good. He has such good body. Also I love his power on stage... and what else what else and what else," in broken English.

Murdoch said the marriage fell apart after Vanity Fair reported rumours that Deng and Blair conducted their affair at Murdoch's Carmel, California ranch.

Well, you know, everybody was talking about these things and never telling me anything," he said. "I don't really want to go into this. But then I was told two pretty circumstantial things about the ranch.

"I was in Australia. When I got back, I naturally asked the staff, and it opened up. That's the story. And then, you know, a week later I filed [for divorce]. As soon as I could find a lawyer."

Did Murdoch really have to find a lawyer? Doesn't he have an army of them on hand to cater to all his needs?

In any event, there have been rumours of Deng having dalliances with other men, not just Blair. While she is attracted to power as evidenced by Murdoch and the former PM, she apparently also likes to play with younger men.

As for informing Deng about the divorce, the story goes the then couple hosted a party in their $44 million penthouse. During the festivities he allegedly whispered in Deng's ear that he was divorcing her. Sounds like it should be in a movie, right?

What Deng does next will be interesting now that her days of leveraging Murdoch's connections are over... She is the model many ambitious mainland Chinese women try to emulate in their quest for quick money and power that ends in a pretty decent payout, but in this case with a sordid reputation...