"Our country is really getting strong," my friend said with admiration.
"Alas, the Americans are just doing business," I murmured.
"Well, that may be true," she continued, "But the reaction of the Americans - and other westerners - really amazes me. You see, when we were weak, they called us Sick Man of East Asia (東亞病夫). Now, we are strong, and they consider our country a threat !"
"You have a point there, "I was forced to agree, "Nonetheless, I still find it difficult to understand why Mr. Hu has to make so much an effort and put up the advertisement. Well, it is entirely acceptable to bring big business to them, but to ask several dozens of celebrities to come out and say how brilliant they are would hardly help the image of a country."
"Quite right. The effect may actually be the opposite."
"After all, we judge a people by what they do, not what they say - or what they claim themselves to be," I continued, "As Margaret Thatcher said: Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't."
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