Zhuangzi (550-250 BC) wrote about Abandoning the Need to Win. China, a civilization far, far older than the USA, has accumulated some wisdom over the ages. It’s true that Britain, the USA, France, Germany and other “developed” nations of the West, had a whee of a time ransacking their palaces of priceless artifacts while forcing the”weaker” nation to accept opium in exchange for their silk and tea.Lacking the weapons to defend against this onslaught, why China was so easily invaded and overrun, had much to do with the Chinese appreciation and sincere cultivation of harmony within the fabric of their society.Modernized China may be learning to abandon these refinements.

​The West taught it a lesson, gave it a good thrashing–put down a Christian rebellion. Whatever it has become today can be attributed in part to the power plays of the West. As the largest debtor nation in the history of the world, America owes China umpteen trillions of dollars (which is too great a sum to be repaid, satisfied in full). How this works out is still up in the air. Maybe the Chinese still believe enough of the ancient wisdom that holds peace and harmony in the utmost, highest regard.