Not pointing or wagging but beckoning
Defensive and assertive in its words, China for the time being has a bark that is worse than its bite
“WE ARE opposed to the practice of engaging in mutual finger-pointing among countries,” said China's prime minister, Wen Jiabao, on March 14th, resisting for the moment his own index-finger-wagging habit. Speaking at a news conference, Mr Wen was at pains to dismiss suggestions that Chinese foreign policy was becoming more assertive. Not all Chinese officials seem to have got the message. In their dealings with a stricken West, they appear conflicted.
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline "Not pointing or wagging but beckoning"
From the March 20th 2010 edition
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