HONG KONG — With a little unexpected help from people who would not normally be considered its friends, China has recently taken important strides to improve regional relations and become a global political as well as economic player.
Now the unanswered question is whether President Hu Jintao can relax enough to make the best of an opportunity for himself, for his reputation, for China's sake and the world's.
To do this he must throw off nationalist and dyed-in-the-wool communist demons always quick to whisper dark thoughts in his ear. He also must restrain the awesome Central Propaganda Department to make sure it does not shoot China in the head when exercising its power.