Worldwide Web WorldTribune.com

  commentary 
  By William Hawkins


Wednesday, May 30, 2007

China's Wu Yi vs U.S. Treasury Sec. Paulson — Not even close

The second Strategic Economic Dialogue brought a record number of high-ranking Chinese officials to Washington. They took a quick measure of their American counterparts, concluded there was no serious push coming from the other side and thus felt no need to compromise on any point of contention.

At the end of the meeting, Vice Premier Wu Yi, who earned a reputation for toughness as trade minister, called the talks "a complete success" because they had avoided the "easy resort to threats and sanctions" that would have caused Beijing trouble.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson had given the game away in his opening statement: "There is a growing skepticism in each country about the others' intentions. Unfortunately, in America this is manifesting itself as anti-China sentiment as China becomes a symbol of the real and imagined downside of global competition. ... A look back demonstrates, of course, that increasing our ties has benefited both our people."

Also In This Edition

About Us     l    Contact Us     l    Geostrategy-Direct.com     l    East-Asia-Intel.com
Copyright © 2007    East West Services, Inc.    All rights reserved.
World Tribune.com is a publication of East West Services, Inc.