Americans and Chinese never been so alike_其他

Americans and Chinese never been so alike

Dear Hillary,

Beijing huanying ni (welcomes you).

What a thrill to see you on China's good earth so soon after your boss's historic victory. A black president, a new secretary of state and never-ending runs of Seinfeld everywhere - you Americans rock.

I'm somewhat of a cynic - 20 years working in newspapers can do that - but when Obama spoke I actually listened for more than 10 seconds to what a politician was actually saying.

He said America had become "a land of warring factions and tribal hatreds" and there was a solution. He urged Americans to remind themselves, despite all their differences, just how much they shared: "common hopes, common dreams, a bond that will not break."

He talked of prosperity and raising healthy and happy families. He spoke of living in harmony with neighbors and hoping for the best in life.

The Chinese share these values. In fact, they feel these values are more than just hopes and dreams. They believe they are human rights, which have inspired poems, songs and philosophies throughout the Middle Kingdom for centuries and even in recent times. The Beijing Olympics slogan was "One world, one dream."

Your buddy Barack called on Americans to "see their own self-interests inextricably linked to the interest of others". Premier Wen Jiabao agrees but has taken this sentiment to the international level.

He recently vowed not to devalue the yuan to protect exports and safeguard jobs. Considering more than tens of millions of jobs are already gone, it must have been tempting but China believes its shores must be opened to its trading partners. China knows everybody is suffering and that protectionism foolishly prolonged the last Great Depression. The Chinese know their own self interest is bound to others too.