I’m not sure what that means exactly. There’s a misperception among Chinese that you have to call yourself one before you can understand China. Utter nonsense.

Indeed, many aspects of Chinese society/history/international relations/culture are viewed by a domestic audience through blinkers (hence China’s censorship of Obama’s inauguration speech). That kind of leadership lends itself to delusion, not understanding.

An open-minded ‘tenderfoot’ can see China for what it is; blinkered nationals see it predominantly as their leaders would like them to see it. Big difference.

“US is a great country, but whether Obama is a good president, let the time tell us.”

As I said, he’s got one hell of a job on his hands. But he’s no Bush and we can all be thankful for that.

China might like the idea of usurping American global power, but that would have a very bad end if it was achieved without moving towards a system of accountability to its own people.

Bush was very soft on China whereas Obama has the moral fortitude abide by his principles. That is a worry for China.

I agree, history in the making. It’s going to be almost impossible for Obama to live up to all the expectations because of the mess he’s inheriting.

But there’s nobody else with a cat in hell’s chance of putting the house in order and it appears he’s got himself a good team.

Further, I don’t imagine his secretary will be invited into the Oval to give him a blowjob, or that he’ll be spending half his time in office playing golf at Camp David.

This time we’ve got a president whose in it for all the right reasons.