Obama's China visit no fun
Dan Liftman
November 19, 2009
President Obama stopped in China yesterday during his tour of Asian nations. All was not well in Beijing, unfortunately. On his first meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Obama bowed too deeply and knocked heads with the Communist leader. Obama was quick to apologize, but his attempt at humor, an impression of Curly of the Three Stooges comedy team, failed to impress Hu.
Last night, at the state dinner honoring Obama, the president was serenaded by the People´s Liberation Army band. They played famous American pop tunes, including Slow Boat To China, the Ramones´ I Want To be Sedated and What Were You Smoking? by the Stoners. Obama committed another faux pas during dinner when he told Hu "I like the Lama." Admiration for the Dalai Lama, Tibet´s spiritual leader, is strictly taboo in China. When Obama noticed the frown on Hu´s face, he quickly recovered, adding "I like the alpaca, too. My wife has an alpaca sweater." The Chinese president was clearly confused by the remark, but the dinner concluded without further incident.
Next day, Obama was escorted to China´s biggest race track, where drivers of several racing cars put on an exhibition for the two leaders. China´s model, the Suey Chopper, roared around the track several times, performing beautifully. Unfortunately, the Chevrolet entry finished dead last after it blew two tires, the gear shift lever came off in the driver´s hand and its exhaust system fell off on the track. Obama was clearly embarrassed and Hu was observed turning his back briefly so his guest wouldn´t see him laughing.
Before leaving Beijing, Obama and Hu engaged in high level talks about America´s trade deficit with China. Hu apologized for the problems with Chinese drywall and promised to include fewer toys with lead based paint and other dangerous products among his country´s exports. Obama assured Hu that he would encourage America´s travel agents to book more tours to China and insist that they stick to well-known attractions and not mention China´s slave labor camps.
In Washington, House Minority leader John Boehner and other prominent Republicans criticized Obama for bowing to China´s president. Boehner and Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell had no response, however, when confronted with photos of them both at a meeting, bowing to the CEOs of Humana Health Care and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.
Last night, at the state dinner honoring Obama, the president was serenaded by the People´s Liberation Army band. They played famous American pop tunes, including Slow Boat To China, the Ramones´ I Want To be Sedated and What Were You Smoking? by the Stoners. Obama committed another faux pas during dinner when he told Hu "I like the Lama." Admiration for the Dalai Lama, Tibet´s spiritual leader, is strictly taboo in China. When Obama noticed the frown on Hu´s face, he quickly recovered, adding "I like the alpaca, too. My wife has an alpaca sweater." The Chinese president was clearly confused by the remark, but the dinner concluded without further incident.
Next day, Obama was escorted to China´s biggest race track, where drivers of several racing cars put on an exhibition for the two leaders. China´s model, the Suey Chopper, roared around the track several times, performing beautifully. Unfortunately, the Chevrolet entry finished dead last after it blew two tires, the gear shift lever came off in the driver´s hand and its exhaust system fell off on the track. Obama was clearly embarrassed and Hu was observed turning his back briefly so his guest wouldn´t see him laughing.
Before leaving Beijing, Obama and Hu engaged in high level talks about America´s trade deficit with China. Hu apologized for the problems with Chinese drywall and promised to include fewer toys with lead based paint and other dangerous products among his country´s exports. Obama assured Hu that he would encourage America´s travel agents to book more tours to China and insist that they stick to well-known attractions and not mention China´s slave labor camps.
In Washington, House Minority leader John Boehner and other prominent Republicans criticized Obama for bowing to China´s president. Boehner and Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell had no response, however, when confronted with photos of them both at a meeting, bowing to the CEOs of Humana Health Care and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.
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