“To be honest, I am definitely a little worried. We have loaned huge amounts of money to the United States, so of course, we have to be concerned. We hope the United States honors its word and ensures the safety of Chinese assets.”
However, I didn't take the same message and would be astounded to see them start pulling out of US bonds in any amount. On the contrary, he is serving public notice that if the US expects them to buy more, they better not shaft them.
It was also a nice bit of politics and "internal advertising", boosting the self-esteem and confidence of the Chinese people.
That China could make such a remark exemplifies that governments know that if it isn't already here, the new world order is getting off the next bus.
That China can tell the US that it is concerned that its investments in the superpower home of capitalism might not be safe, is a telling moment.
Where was the stream of abusive denunciation of the cheek of this developing-world communist that you might have expected any time last century?
The significance of the remark lies in how changed the world is that there wasn't a squeak of protest - maybe just some hasty private assurances.
