Well, what I love about free speech and free press is it can adjust opinions by different authors.

How not to handle China from Jonathan Fenby, author of The Penguin History of Modern China:

So it is safe to assume that China was not in negotiating mode, and that, unless Beijing was being set up as the fall guy, Obama, Brown, Miliband et al should have know this, and negotiated accordingly. The same goes for the currency, human rights and, unfortunately for him, for Shaikh. It is also likely to be the case if trade disputes swell next year, as one must anticipate.

That leads to an underlying element which, again, seems insufficiently appreciated by western governments. General Secretary Hu and Wen operate by consensus. They are careful bureaucrats who do not command an automatic majority in the nine-man standing committee.

See also: Why denouncing China is hypocritical, Before preaching, remember the opium wars, China has made a mockery of justice, Chinese Defend the Execution of British National, Execution Underscores ‘China’s Contempt for the West’

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