The (Ex) Washington Realist

Yesterday, Xie Feng, deputy chief of mission of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, spoke at the Nixon Center. He gave an optimistic view of the future of Sino-U.S. relations, grounded in common interests and, perhaps even over a time, a narrowing values gap.

But I don't know how receptive some are going to be to his viewpoint. Because, listening to his on-the-record remarks, Beijing's view of partnership with Washington is one where the relationship is defined by equality. One where, especially in economic terms, the U.S. and China are the "twin engines" (rather than the U.S. being the hub); one where both countries will have to work together on a number of issues but where it must be accepted that "we do not see eye to eye on everything" and where both sides will have to engage in dialogue to minimize differences. "We hope that the U.S. will meet us half-way" was a point made.

Diplomacy, anyone?