The official Chinese media apparently tried to present the best face on things. But the blogosphere in China and elsewhere is less kind to the Administration. The interesting blog EastSouthWestNorth has a terrific summary of regional reactions. Blogs devoted to China delved into American incompetence beyond the obvious. For example, apparently the American mistakes went so far as significant errors in the simultaneous translation of Bush's comments into Chinese. Apparently, the White House refused to provide the Chinese with an advance copy of Bush's remarks, while the Chinese provided to the Americans an advance text Hu's remarks.
Together with the already noted errors and gaffes, it seems the regional impression is one of incompetence rather than malice. (Who says technology does not bring the world closer together?) To become a laughing stock on the street is beyond even the 'paper tiger' state-sponsored nostrums of the Maoist era. Tough news for a coterie that relished its street cred over pre-emption and 'decisive action'. While not a scientific survey because of its small sample size, EastWestSouthNorth includes this poll of Hong Kong residents: (image from EastSouthWestNorth)
Issue #1: The White House master of ceremony announced the playing of the national anthem of the Republic of China.
- 33% said that the American goverment deliberately set this up to insult China
- 21% said that the American government was of poor quality
- 23% said that it was an unintentional mistake
- 19% said that it could be either intentional or unintentional
Issue #2: When the female FLG member disrupted Hu Jintao's speech, she was allowed to go on for almost three minutes before the secret service agents removed her.
- 79% said that the American government should apologize
- 9% said that the American government should not apologize
Issue #3: How should China protest against what occurred?
- 43% said that China should demand an apology from the American government
- 22% said that China should lodge a diplomatic protest
- 6% said that China should cancel the recently signed purchase contracts
- 19% said that the United States does not need to apologize
Issue #4: Do you think that the United States is a trustworthy partner?
- 17% said that USA is a trustworthy partner
- 62% said that USA is not a trustworthy partner
Issue #5: Will this incident affect Sino-American relationships?
- 6% Serious influence
- 62% Mild influence
- 29% No influence
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Meanwhile, over at SepiaMutiny, an amusing scorecard compares Hu's error-filled visit with India's Manmohan Singh's treatment at the hands of Bush.
______CHINA______________________________INDIA_________
Got a state lunch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Got a state dinner.
Says Iran not a threat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joined U.S. in censuring Iran
Sold Iran nuke tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Will Buy U.S. nuke tech
Fallon Gong heckler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . One Track Uncle
Criticized by Dubya for human rights . . . . .Dubya praises its democracy
Mistakenly called Taiwan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dubya no longer confusing with Indiana
Bill Gates bought dinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gates gave country $2 billion
Left with vague promises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Left with nuclear energy deal
Ordered some Boeings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ordered 1/2 world's new airliners
Stock index just hit 1,400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stock index just hit 12,000
Leads world in executing the poor . . . . . . . . .Leads e world in poor execution
Leader wore a suit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leader wore a turban and a Nehru collar
That seems like a pretty apt snap shot. The most salient fact, however, is missing: China, not India, is the U.S. creditor.