When the teacher is wrong, what can pupils do?

• Source: Global Times
• [00:46 September 14 2009]
• Comments

Yet, China still had the bravery to continue with that extremely painful but important process.

But all these diffculties and experiments were mainly domestic. The difference now is that the fi nancial crisis means China, as a new rising power, a "pupil," has to deal with unprecedented problems both domestically and internationally.

As an emerging economy, China needs to participate actively in the reform of the IMF. It must change the suspected prejudice against developing countries in favor of developed countries and make the world understand and accept the fact that the power structure of the IMF refl ected the world order of 60 years ago.

Meanwhile, China together with some of its Asian neighbors holds 4 trillion in dollar reserves. Obviously, a stable reserve currency is needed, and if the world cannot provide one for Asia, Asia probably needs to create one for itself.

So will China be able to do it? That is a big and exciting question. One thing is defi nite: As a pupil, China has great learning abilities. It reached where it is today by learning and experimenting. All China needs to be careful of are the three extreme options mentioned earlier. The world should be at least cautiously optimistic about this pupil.

Tian Wei is the host of “Dialogue” on CCTV's English Channel, and the main anchor of CCTV's special coverage of important domestic and international events. Previously, Tian worked in Washington D.C. as a correspondent, and covered the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her blog is http://blog.cctv.com/html/09/960109.html. Reach her at tianwei.gt@gmail.com