On BalanceUS criticism of China rings hollow when America itself has betrayed its own ideals

Call it cultural, ideological or civilisational. The great debate about who’s superior continues.

To try to make a point in this pointless exercise, I’m going to indulge in the self-centred custom that most corporate executives and policymakers engage in when trying to establish their China credentials.

I’m going to talk about the country I discovered when I first landed there.

You won’t be surprised that this is a story of beguiling economic transformation with a turn away from the freedoms that Americans hold dear. But don’t worry.

There’s room here to examine the way US political culture has crippled the high horse American leaders sit on when they criticise Beijing.