The Chinese ambassador schools the U.S.
By Andrew Kwon Best Defense diplomatic bureau Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai, speaking recently at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, took as his lesson the need to respect others and act responsibly. That’s a pretty powerful message to convey, given that the man at the lectern was the ambassador of the very state ...
By Andrew Kwon
Best Defense diplomatic bureau
Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai, speaking recently at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, took as his lesson the need to respect others and act responsibly.
That's a pretty powerful message to convey, given that the man at the lectern was the ambassador of the very state the United States has long criticized for not being a responsible power. Responsibility, the ambassador said, is "being prudent and cautious" in regards to interests, "acting positively and constructively" when confronting and managing differences and challenges, and "taking the long-term view" when calculating gains.
By Andrew Kwon
Best Defense diplomatic bureau
Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai, speaking recently at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, took as his lesson the need to respect others and act responsibly.
That’s a pretty powerful message to convey, given that the man at the lectern was the ambassador of the very state the United States has long criticized for not being a responsible power. Responsibility, the ambassador said, is “being prudent and cautious” in regards to interests, “acting positively and constructively” when confronting and managing differences and challenges, and “taking the long-term view” when calculating gains.
In addition, the talk provided the platform for unveiling China’s proposed linchpin for the “new great power relationship“: mutual respect. The ambassador stressed that, to understand China and its policies it requires “a close look at its history and culture.” He later added, “To respect [each other’s] differences, is to show respect to history … to appreciate why there are these differences will lay the foundation for constructive and productive relations.” Overall, if the United States seeks to work with China, it asks to be accepted, and respected, as it is.
It was an interesting time for such a lecture, given the current shutdown of the federal government.
More from Foreign Policy
Is Cold War Inevitable?
A new biography of George Kennan, the father of containment, raises questions about whether the old Cold War—and the emerging one with China—could have been avoided.
So You Want to Buy an Ambassadorship
The United States is the only Western government that routinely rewards mega-donors with top diplomatic posts.
Can China Pull Off Its Charm Offensive?
Why Beijing’s foreign-policy reset will—or won’t—work out.
Turkey’s Problem Isn’t Sweden. It’s the United States.
Erdogan has focused on Stockholm’s stance toward Kurdish exile groups, but Ankara’s real demand is the end of U.S. support for Kurds in Syria.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
