The image of two planes colliding over the South China Sea is as perfect a metaphor for China-US relations as you could hope for...or dread.
Like its fighter jet, China is fast moving onto the world stage, if somewhat out of control. This burgeoning superpower is inscrutable to America, inescapable too. Watching the diplomatic dogfight that has followed the crash, the world community is worried: Can the new US president and his team of tough-talkers handle some very delicate maneuvering? China wants an apology, President Bush wants his plane and people back. Taiwan frets over its missile defense, and many are concerned that the markets stay open and the nukes stay in their silos.
With tensions high in East Asia, who is really calling the shots? Mr. Bush, this is not your father's PRC. China - kid gloves or big stick? (Hosted by Judy Swallow)
