“China Rising?” The Post Gets It Mostly Right

Derek Scissors / February 04, 2010

Something odd happened today at the Washington Post.  The editors at the Post wrote a solid editorial on China and, a page later, the esteemed George Will got caught in the web of China myths.

The main point of the Post editorial is spot on: the Obama administration largely misplayed China policy in its first year.  There are many possible explanations why; one is the administration overestimates American weakness and Chinese strength. The Post is absolutely right to call for the U.S., which is far more powerful, to make foreign policy accordingly.

A critical aspect of this better policy is to push for free trade, by China but also by America and around the world.  Recognizing American strengths and interests does not mean China-bashing.  Some of the outcry against the PRC is self-interested protectionism masked in false claims of Chinese dominance. It is aimed at helping certain groups while harming America as a whole. (more…)