The more China advances, the more it seems to forget that its progress has been achieved through moderation and composure. Last week’s showdown with Japan over the custody of a Chinese fisherman strengthened the impression that power brings arrogance. After halting official contacts, Wen Jiabao, the usually mild-mannered Chinese premier, warned Tokyo to brace for severe consequences. At the weekend, Japan rejected Chinese demands for compensation and on Monday said it might call for compensation of its own. But, emboldened by the eruption of nationalism, Chinese experts, journalists and bloggers have been calling for economic sanctions – and military force to protect the country’s trawlers in the East China sea.
中國越是發(fā)展，似乎就越是忘掉了自己之所以能進(jìn)步，靠的是韜光養(yǎng)晦。上周，中國就本國漁船船長被扣事件與日本攤牌，強化了人們的這種印象：實力滋生傲慢。中國政府中止與日本之間的官方交流之后，平素舉止溫和的中國國務(wù)院總理溫家寶警告日本政府，準(zhǔn)備承擔(dān)嚴(yán)重的后果。上周末，日本拒絕了中方的賠償要求，并于本周一表示，可能提出自己的賠償要求。但是，有了民族主義情緒的爆發(fā)壯膽，中國專家、記者以及網(wǎng)絡(luò)博主一直在呼吁政府對日施行經(jīng)濟制裁——并要求出兵保護(hù)東中國海的拖撈漁船。