The difference between Intelligence and Information cannot be more clearly illustrated than by the Globe & Mail article today entitled China speaks and the world finally listens!

For years, many have predicted that China’s emerging economic might would allow it to assert itself on the world stage. Preferring to bide its time, silently observing, yet keeping out of Western preoccupations and allowing others to think of it as an undeveloped nation,  a confident China has now stepped into the econo-political limelight as a major partner.    

This is information! For those who had hoped to curry favour with China, sew up cozy deals or even safeguard critical industry, the time is past. Any competitive edge would have been gleaned by those who, following good Intelligence, predicted this eventuality…and took action accordingly…In good time!