Along the same lines as Kathy Halbreich’s question about what the Bush administration should do vis-a-vis China, I wish Howard French would have given more indication of how the American public should feel about China. Understandably, we are amazed by her size, enchanted by her ancient culture, and puzzled by, perhaps even fearful of, her government. For certain we must study China more in the coming years, but I was eager to hear something beyond study.

So often when we speak about China, there is the sense of a great and dangerous dragon awakening. Even Howard with his extensive comparison of China to pre-WWII Japan and their rise to militaristic power implied this feeling. I was relieved to hear later in his talk points of cultural and historical difference between China and Japan and his awareness of alarmist comments when analysts like himself talk about a growing China.

The fact that China is growing so quickly and in ways no one can predict gives many Americans great unease because we, as the remaining world superpower, expect to be in control. This attitude is strange and unfortunate when compared to much of the rest of the world's concern that actually America is the already-awakened and plundering beast. I remember Howard's response to Kathy's question on what the American government should do in relation to China. I heard him say that we should take care of our own problems here at home. That certainly would be a good start.

As China moves in fits and starts, and with great speed, to prominence in the 21st century, and as America must turn more and more its gaze eastward to understand what is happening, how should we feel toward what is still a great unknown? When I think of this question, in my mind echoes the final question of the evening addressed to Howard French. What is the future of the Chinese heart now that power and money are within reach? In considering this perhaps we as Americans should look to our own heart. What have we become after the American Century?

I think Huang Yong Ping is tempting us with these same questions? His American spy plane is bat-infested and blessed, destroyed and re-created, and when I look at it I find in myself a sense of shame as an American. The spy plane, beyond just military equipment, is a symbol of our suspicious American stare at China. But I think we should look at China with more hopeful eyes. Can we not say we wish for China's ascendancy all the abilities to offer goodness to the world that America had during the last century and all the wisdom to avoid violence that America lacks now?

We have more to learn from Howard French and from China herself.