rss feedDon’t stop thinking about…U.S.-China relations. Don’t stop…thinking.
With President Obama back in the United States from his visit to Asia, it is easy to turn your attention to pop culture, high-profile politicians and the media in the country.
As in three names: Oprah Winfrey, former Gov. Sarah Palin and Lou Dobbs. By the way, The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart interviewed Dobbs and talked about Palin.
And if you haven’t seen it, Winfrey’s video clip for her new cable network is pretty stylish and catchy.
But the concept of tomorrow fascinates – so much so that Mo Rocca named his show in its honor.
I know: I’ve already tossed out a bunch of links without getting to the point. And I haven’t made any reference yet to the video clip above.
Welcome to late 2009.
So, as someone who takes pride in sticking with a theme in a blog post, I’d like to suggest that we keep our eyes focused on the growing and complex relationship between the United States and the People’s Republic of China in the 21st Century.
That’s right – even after Obama has left the country. Keep in mind that Chinese President Hu is planning to visit the United States next year.
The relationship remains complex but crucial to future international affairs – and trade might continue to be a sticking point.
While this is 2009, there is a story set in the 14th Century, in what is now China, that is important to remember.
Enter into this picture, John Woo’s movie, Red Cliff.
The New York Times reported that it’s based loosely on the Chinese classic, The Three Kingdoms.
Literature and cinema, as we know, have links to our daily lives. Obviously, I plan to see the movie.
I’ve tried reading the English translation of the classic book, which talks about power, relationships and strategy.
But it doesn’t follow linear logic. So, it has taken me a while to get through it.
Why is it important?
I know the book – and possibly parts of the movie – can shed light into the strategy that senior Chinese leaders have thought about as the country takes a new place in the 21st Century.
Both the book and movie include war – and by no means do I want conflict involving China, the United States or any other country.
I use this example because of actions, thinking and strategy. There is much to be said about and learned from The Three Kingdoms.
The book’s opening is probably one of its most famous passages:
Here begins our tale. The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. Thus it has ever been.
Though there are many characters in the book, three are central: Cao Cao, who relies on pure strength.
He asks others to work for him and gives them senior positions in his army, knowing that once these people are in the fold they cannot be his enemy.
Another, Liu Bei, is related to the emperor and has nothing. He appears weak, always asking others for help to deal with Cao Cao.
Liu Bei uses his weakness to get others to follow him.
Then, there is Sun Quan, who remains in the middle and later becomes an ally with Liu Bei to battle Cao Cao.
But in one part of the book, Liu Bei is going to fight Cao Cao but lacks arrows for a battle. So an advisor to Liu Bei concocts a mock battle when there is fog - and Cao Cao believes it’s an actual attack.
So the troops under Cao Cao’s command fire a score of arrows at Liu Bei’s advisor, who had made ships lined with hay. Fake soldiers, also made of hay, are propped up on the ships.
In the end, Liu Bei and his troops take these arrows and use them to fight Cao Cao.
The New York Times included a terrific clip of this scene. In the video clip area, scroll down and it’s the footage on the bottom. It’s called: Shoot!
So, presuming that this is a fair question to ask in 2009, which character from the book is which leader from which country?
It is a complex book. So, if you really want to answer that question, it’s best to read it.
Or, you could just watch the movie and decide from there.
I’m certain that China watchers in the U.S. government – either on the National Security Council or in the State Department or its Foreign Service – are aware of the book, its meaning and message.
I wonder though: Have the lessons from the book been elevated to people in the U.S. government who might need to know about it?
I still firmly believe that diplomacy, economic and state-to-state cooperation remain crucial to global affairs.
Conversations, it seems to me, tend to be the best solution to differences.
It also seems that the value of the U.S. dollar might actually bind the United States and China together in ways that we might not yet clearly see.
That said, it would be wise to read a classic – from any country, let alone one that has thousands of years of history and holds $800 billion in U.S. debt - just to have ideas in your head when you meet someone and look that person in the eye.
Keep in mind: The Chinese leader is expected to visit Washington, D.C. next year.
I should note, as I often do, that my wife helped give me a quick and fascinating rundown on Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan from The Three Kingdoms.
As you can tell, she and I enjoy talking about history and current events.
On that note, I leave you with a light, bouncy and fun video from Fleetwood Mac and the University of Southern California band performing that famous song – “Don’t stop.”
I’m beginning to really like YouTube.
