To officials in Beijing, the "Boao Forum for Asia" seemed the perfect opportunity to change the subject -- and showcase Chinese hospitality. Organizers flew in usher girls from Beijing, an orchestra from Vienna and a troupe of synchronized swimmers from Ukraine.
But Beijing didn't get a chance to raise its stature. None of the 10 members of ASEAN sent officials with a mandate to commit governments to any trade pacts. Of the 29 ministerial-level delegates at the Boao conference, 11 were former ministers who are already out of active politics.
The whole episode served as a reminder that China has come a long way toward opening its economy and stabilizing it, but much remains to be done. Until China can convince the world that its economy will be a stable and productive force in Asia, it will remain off center stage in the region.
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