AP Photo

For the last year or so, American visitors to Beijing browsing among the Mao kitsch in the city's street markets have been able to choose from a rather natty line of "Oba-Mao" souvenirs – mugs, hats and T-shirts sporting a photo of their rock-star President superimposed on the face of the late Great Helmsman or one of his Red Guards.

Unfortunately for Barack Obama, these mementoes will not be available when he touches down in the Chinese capital on Monday. Ever vigilant, the country's authorities have ordered the enterprising merchants to remove the "offending" objects from sale to avoid embarrassment (it's not exactly clear to whom) during the presidential visit. That small gesture illustrates the yawning gulf in understanding separating China and the US, both at an official...