I sent an article from the Wall Street Journal to several friends.
The title on the front page is: Secret
Weapon Inside Pentagon, A Scholar Shapes Views of China
-- Beijing,
Mr. Pillsbury Says, Sees U.S. as Military Foe; An Optimist Turns
Gloomy His Direct Line to Top Aides (September
8.)
The title says it all. I've been looking for the expert who is shaping our foreign policy. The fact that Michael Pillsbury says 'it is nearly impossible to understand how another culture thinks' is proof of his insight and the fact that he came to an understanding of China late in his life based on much personal experience is a sign of wisdom.
I
got an interesting and powerful response from Michael Turner in
Tokyo. It is the first comment.
I also note a comment recently by Peter Huber quoting Henry Kissinger that we should not fear China's economic growth: 'China is running in place -- China needs 9% growth to compensate for its loss of 7% due to declining government industries.'