china on the rise; us in decline

Posted on October 8, 2005 12:06 AM about China | Economics | |

Lowering the Wall

China Irks U.S. as It Uses Trade
To Embellish Newfound Clout

Beijing Makes Numerous Deals
In Search for Influence;
Some Unsavory Alliances
President Hu's Warm Welcome

By PETER WONACOTT in Beijing and NEIL KING JR. in Washington Staff Reporters of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

October 3, 2005

China has a new calling card: champion of free trade.
Since March, Beijing has opened free-trade talks with South Korea, Pakistan, Australia and Iceland. In November, it inked deals with Thailand, Malaysia and eight other Southeast Asian countries. Even though China's government still controls large swaths of the country's economy, it has sealed or is seeking free-trade pacts with 25 countries -- up from zero two years ago.