A year after launching its economic recovery package, China is more intent than ever on showing that it is its own master. This may not be good news for Barack Obama. Despite all the assurances that the US and China have to work together, Obama's trip reveals a relationship with a strangely lopsided quality to it.
America is still the richer and more powerful nation. Its military is far ahead of the People's Liberation Army. The administration's international fence-restoration means that it can count on an array of allies, whereas China's are few and far between, and founded mainly on money. For all Beijing's efforts to spread its soft power, it cannot hold a candle to America when it comes to popular culture; how many Chinese film stars can most people outside Asia name – other than perhaps Jet Li or Jackie Chan?
Read Full Article »