In the late 1980s, Quentin Falk recounts an event at the National Film Theatre in London where he interviewed Donald Sutherland. Sutherland, known for his quirky roles, decided to introduce Falk on stage, leading to an amusing and successful evening. The anecdote highlights Sutherland's unique personality and the positive reception from the audience.

The article explores the complexities of China-US relations, questioning whether Washington is accurately assessing China's strengths and weaknesses. It features a conversation between Aaron David Miller and David Rennie, the Economist’s bureau chief in Beijing, addressing the challenges and potential misunderstandings in the bilateral relationship.

The Green Party of Canada calls for the release of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, criticizing the U.S. for politicizing her extradition. However, the article criticizes the Green Party for pushing imperialist narratives about China, particularly regarding Tibet, religious minorities, Uyghur concentration camps, and Hong Kong's new security law. It defends China's policies in these regions, highlighting historical context and improvements in living conditions. The article also criticizes Western colonialism and interventionist policies, advocating for non-interference in China's domestic affairs.

The article discusses the stringent measures and dystopian reality of China's zero-COVID policy, highlighting the frequent checks and controls faced by individuals, including railway inspectors, hotel clerks, airport guards, and police officers at highway checkpoints.

David Rennie, The Economist’s Beijing bureau chief, describes life under China's zero-COVID policy, detailing the social stigma and strict measures faced by residents, especially foreigners. Beijing is nearly COVID-free, yet fear and shame persist, with mask-wearing enforced and travel heavily restricted. Rennie recounts his own experiences with surveillance and travel limitations, noting the impact on personal and family life. The article critiques China's handling of the pandemic, the reluctance to approve foreign mRNA vaccines, and the political narrative contrasting China's approach with Western democracies.

The Biden administration aims to engage in a more strategic and less ideologically driven contest with China, focusing on selective and well-prepared confrontations. While Biden is unlikely to immediately reverse Trump's tariffs and restrictions on Chinese tech firms, he will adopt a more cautious approach, emphasizing reciprocity and industrial policies to support American businesses. Biden's administration will also seek China's cooperation on global issues like climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining a firm stance on human rights and security concerns, particularly regarding Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Taiwan.

The coronavirus pandemic is described as a significant global crisis, with governments focusing on national responses and the U.S. notably absent from international efforts. The article discusses the implications of this absence and the responses from U.S. allies and adversaries, including the EU, Russia, and China. Tom Friedman, Susan Glasser, and David Rennie join Aaron David Miller from the Carnegie Endowment to analyze the geopolitical landscape and perceptions of U.S. leadership during the pandemic.

China's zero new infections COVID-19 strategy, which has led to strict measures such as the lockdown of Harbin city due to 63 cases, is a radical departure from approaches in the West. This strategy stems from the CCP's obsession with order and the country's near-disaster experience in February and March, where serological tests suggest up to 1 million people in Wuhan could have been infected. Despite China's significant medical response and surveillance capabilities, the sustainability of its strategy is questionable, especially with closed borders and the potential failure of containment measures. China's approach is a high-stakes bet on the early development of a vaccine, which, if delayed, could result in prolonged and painful disruptions.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has significantly expanded its reach, encompassing regions from New Zealand to the Arctic, Africa to Latin America, and even outer space. While the BRI does not yet challenge the rules-based liberal order, it serves as a test of it.

David Rennie recounts a personal family visit to a war memorial in Innellan, Scotland, highlighting the significance of the event for his family, particularly his 13-year-old daughter. The narrative blends personal reflections with the solemnity of the occasion, capturing the emotional and cultural importance of the visit.