No Need for Translation

During a press conference at the White House, which lasted nearly an hour, President of the United States Barack Obama and the leader of China, Hu Jintao, who had arrived in the U.S. on an official visit, diligently tried to create the impression of harmony between the two countries that compete in the same economic, military and foreign policy spheres.

The desire “not to wash dirty linen in public” was so great that the Chinese leader preferred not to hear sharp questions from journalists.

The two countries — “Neither Enemies Nor Friends,” as the Wall Street Journal described the state of U.S.-China relations — found themselves in a really difficult situation: Both Barack Obama and Hu Jintao had to convince themselves and others that, despite the growing tensions on many issues, China and the U.S. are able not only to live peacefully with each other but also to co-operate on a mutually beneficial basis.

During the bilateral meeting, the leaders discussed, among other issues, the situations concerning North Korea and Iran’s nuclear programs. However, the main topic of discussion, quite predictably, was related to the economic issues; the leaders devoted more than half of their time to the subject.

In contrast to sharp critics of China among U.S. lawmakers , who ask for anti-dumping investigations in relation to China and do not preclude the imposition of unilateral trade sanctions because of the artificially undervalued yuan, Barack Obama was much more courteous with his Chinese guest. “The U.S. president said that China should do more and move faster in resolving the issue of China’s national currency,” sources at the White House told reporters.* Nor did the U.S. leader insist on his colleague’s answer to the “uncomfortable” question on the human rights situation in China, asked by one of the journalists; the Chinese leader simply ignored it. The “technical problem” was later attributed to errors in translation.

Indeed, having “pleased” the U.S. with his first visit in the last five years, Hu arrived with “good news” for Americans: According to recent statistical data, China’s GDP in 2010 grew by 10.3 percent, an increase two times higher than that of the United States. Experts note that today China is the second largest economy in the world, surpassing Japan, according to this parameter. It is significant that five years ago Beijing was only fourth in the world’s most powerful economies rankings.

It is no surprise then that the U.S. exhibited a demonstrably warm attitude to the high-level delegation from China — a country which is, in fact, the main creditor of the United States. Elegant receptions at the White House, which included private dinners and official banquets, reflect the changing nature of the U.S.-Chinese relations. As was noted by observers, Chinese leaders have never been given such large-scale receptions before.

Interestingly, not only well-known politicians were invited to a banquet at the White House, but also American celebrities of Chinese origin, such as the actor Jackie Chan. Chinese partners did not leave the warm U.S. reception unanswered: practical content of the visit was China’s approval of $45 billion worth of contracts with U.S. companies. The White House immediately reported that new contracts will create and support approximately 235,000 jobs in America.

Incidentally, a changed attitude toward the country that produces virtually all consumer goods found on the shelves of American stores can be noticed not only at the establishment level but also among ordinary U.S. citizens.

According to an NBC opinion poll, when asked which country will become a world leader in 20 years, 38 percent of respondents expressed confidence that it will be China. The United States received only 35 percent of the vote.

*Editor’s note: This quotation, while accurately translated, could not be verified.