OBAMA, HU JINTAO AND
NEWLY-APPOINTED E.U.
PRESIDENT, HERMAN VAN
ROMPUY
[NRC Handelsblad, The Netherlands]
La Tribune, France
Why Rising China Can't Compete With the 'American Dream'
"China
lacks an essential attribute that it will need to reign unchallenged. … American
power doesn't only reside in the 7th fleet ... America fires the imagination
because it sends a message of freedom, individual achievement and respect for
property: the American dream is beloved the world over."
By François Lenglet,
editor in chief
Translated By Lisa
Cabral
November 17, 2009
France - Le Tribune - Original Article (French)
George W. Bush, visiting the
Chinese capital several years ago, insisted on attending Sunday morning mass, making
red leaders blue with rage. It's a safe bet that Obama will be more polite and merely
demand a visit to the Forbidden City: the time for provocations is over. To follow
in the footsteps of the first U.S. president to visit China [Nixon], he'll be tempted
to pay tribute to the power of yesterday rather than tomorrow. If crisis separates
the old from the new, to echo a wonderful formula of Gramsci, an age that has seen
the degradation of American power has led to the emergence of a world in which
China plays a predominant role. Obama’s trip marked a humiliating milestone: today,
nothing is possible without the consent of Beijing - even attempts by the
American administration to make ends meet. As its name indicates, the Middle
Kingdom has embedded itself at the heart of economic questions and global
strategy.
But for all that, the hour of
the Chinese hyper-power is still uncertain. China has demographic weight in its
favor, and its military and bubbling economy will surpass Japan next year. But it
lacks an essential attribute that it will need to reign unchallenged: pragmatic
dictatorships don’t fire the imagination. Their values are alarming. Even the
USSR was more seductive - and not only to intellectuals - because it adhered to
a universalist ideal and the promise of a new society.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
As for American power, it
doesn't only reside in the 7th fleet, the coffers of Fort Knox or the prices on
the Dow Jones. America fires the imagination because it sends a message of
freedom, individual achievement and respect for property: the American dream is
beloved the world over. The Chinese themselves obtain American passports the
moment they are able. That power of attraction has permitted the globalization
of the American mode de vie [way of life], from the Big Mac to universal
accounting rules, not to mention television shows.
No so with China. We could
without doubt find people willing to eat hamburgers with bamboo shoots. But to
watch “Basketball Player Number Five” in prime time, that vapid chef-d’oeuvre
of communist propaganda, would be more difficult. As for finding advocates of
the Chinese political system, one would need to "beat the bushes to
scare out the birds." Long live Desperate Housewives.
President Barack Obama visits China's Great
Wall, Nov. 18.
CLICK HERE OR CLICK PHOTO
FOR BBC COVERAGE OF TRIP'S END
SEE ALSO ON THIS:
Al Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:
'China Model' May Leave 'Washington Consensus' in the Dust
The Star, Malaysia:
Let's Hope a Risen China is More Responsible than U.S.
Financial Times Deutschland:
Obama's China Trip Heralds 'World Without Leadership'
Global Times, China :
The Well-Disguised
'Arrogance' Behind
Obama's Royal Bow
The Times, U.K.:
Obama Bow Shows 'Confidence'; Need
for Change After Bush
Global Times, China:
Addiction to Growth is China's 'Berlin Wall'
Global Times, China:
U.S. and Beijing Disagree on Obama's Chinese Name
Global Times, China:
Chinese Netizens Have 'Sharp Words' for President Obama
China Daily, China:
Obama Can Teach
Shanghai Officials
a Thing or Two
China Daily, China:
VIDEO - Chinese React to
Visit of President Obama
Global Times, China:
'Obscene Postcard' Emerges
of Taiwan President and Hillary
Der Spiegel:
German Editorials - Obama's Soft Approach to China Won't Succeed
The Times, U.K.
Obama's Bow to Japan Emperor
Shows U.S. 'Confidence'
The Telegraph, U.K.:
Obama 'Breaks
Conciliatory Tone';
Criticizes China Censorship
The Australian, Australia:
Obama's Personal Story No
Substitute for Policy in Asia
Globe & Mail, Canada:
China 'Plays Down' President Obama's Visit
CLICK HERE FOR FRENCH VERSION
[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US November 23, 9:43pm]
