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11.08.2010

bloomberg: "stop blaming the chinese"

Interesting. An instance of some vocal anti-anti-China bashing -- from Michael Bloomberg, no less. The New York City mayor, on a visit to Hong Kong and Shenzhen, had some harsh criticism for his own fellow Americans: stop blaming the Chinese. Seriously: Bloomberg to America: Lay Off The Chinese.

As the debate rages over China's trade and currencies policies, the 68-year-old Bloomberg, now in his third term as mayor of New York, was tough on China's critics in the U.S. He spoke to reporters Saturday in Hong Kong after addressing a meeting of leaders from top cities around the world, dubbed the C40, focused on climate change and environment.

"I think in America, we've got to stop blaming the Chinese and blaming everybody else and take a look at ourselves," he said.
I also like this part:
Earlier, in an interview, the mayor was deeply, undiplomatically critical of provincialism and populism in U.S. Congress.

"If you look at the U.S., you look at who we're electing to Congress, to the Senate - they can't read," he said. "I'll bet you a bunch of these people don't have passports. We're about to start a trade war with China if we're not careful here," he warned, "only because nobody knows where China is. Nobody knows what China is."
Wow, the one American politician who isn't scapegoating China? Of course, it's easy to tell fellow Americans to "lay off" China while you're actually in China. Such warnings, and all the flattery, must do wonders for endearing you to your hosts. Have fun, Mayor Bloomberg. Try the dim sum.