April 12, 2001

View from Tiananmen Square

By Steve Friess
Special for USA TODAY

BEIJING - As the sun rose today on Tiananmen Square, the Chinese capital's centerpiece looked as it does most mornings: Children on school field trips toured the square, a few Western tourists stood in line to visit a museum, and police stood vigilant for the appearance of dissidents.

In the shadow of a huge portrait of Communist leader Mao Tse-tung, citizens gushed over their country's brave and successful stand against the bullies of the West in the crisis over a midair collision between a U.S. surveillance plane and a Chinese fighter jet. The incident left Chinese pilot Wang Wei missing and presumed dead.

"We have won, and all of Asia is happy," said Lao Yu, 58, as he flew a dragon kite. "The U.S. won't bother so much any more."

For days after the collision April 1, the state-run Chinese media bashed Americans in the harshest terms to whip up anti-U.S. sentiment. As the deal to release the U.S. crew was struck, that same media characterized American statements as all-encompassing apologies equal to a total capitulation.

"U.S.: We are 'very sorry,' " the headline in the English-language China Daily screamed in today's editions.

"The firm struggle by the Chinese government and people against the U.S. hegemony has forced the U.S. government to change from its initial rude and unreasonable attitude to saying 'very sorry' to the Chinese people," the People's Daily said in an editorial.

In a slightly more conciliatory tone, it added: "The development of Sino-U.S. relations is extremely important to the whole world. The majority of American people are friendly to China, although in the United States there are anti-China forces who interfere in the nation's internal affairs."

Indeed, people here are accepting the government's line that the United States caved in, and the sense is that this episode marks a turning point for the rise of China's position in the region and the world.

"America took responsibility for killing Wang Wei, and the world knows they committed this crime," said Feng Ghi, 20.

The feeling of victory appeared to be widespread in the Chinese capital. Vendors hawking newspapers along Beijing's streets ran up to Westerners to show them the front pages, which showed pictures of President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell. One vendor pointed to his paper and said with a smile in English, "Very sorry, very sorry."

Although many Chinese rejoiced in the nationalism of their media, others had little opinion other than gratitude that the media might move on to other topics.

"All we hear is about your spy plane all the time," said student Daniel Wong, 21. "It doesn't matter to real people that much."

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