Sino-US Love Hate Relations

This article examines the issues surrounding the NATO bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade on 7th of May 1999. It first describes both the official and the unofficial Chinese reaction to the bombing. Then the Western media reaction to the Chinese reaction is analyzed. The article then proceeds to identify the emotional impact of the bombing on the Chinese. Finally, the article looks at the consequences that the bombing has already caused or likely to lead to. The article contrasts the views and perception of the Western media about the nature and motivation of the bombing with these by the Chinese and the Chinese media. It also contrasts how the Western media reported and interpreted the Chinese demonstrations with how the Chinese saw the demonstrations themselves. The article argues that the bombing is a watershed event for the Chinese both psychologically and strategically. Psychologically, the Chinese honeymoon with the U.S. since the start of the post-Mao reform has finally come to an end, though they still love things American. Strategically, China does not have any illusion about the U.S being a friendly partner in the next century.