外洋海軍

China is slowly buiding a blue-water navy, and in December it sent three ships to the waters off Somalia to patrol agaiinst pirates, in the first modern active deployment of its warshipss beyond its home waters.

Chinese traditionally defered to Washington on major economic and strategic issues, assenting or differing only after Washington made its case.

moral sway

China's normally faceless vice president Xi Jiping, achieved cult status in late Feb. after cameras caught him in an unguarded moment in Mexico, attacking foreigners whohad eaten their fill and had nothing better to do, pointing their fingers at our affairs.

NYT April 2, 2009