Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s repeated bows to Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng during her recent visit to Beijing have sparked a firestorm of controversy. Some critics have accused Yellen of disrespecting American values and bowing to Chinese pressure, while others have defended her actions as a sign of respect for Chinese culture.
The incident began when Reuters released a video of Yellen bowing three times to He during their handshake. He did not reciprocate the gesture. The video quickly went viral, and many people were quick to condemn Yellen’s actions.
“An American official does not bow,” said Bradley Blakeman, a former White House aide to President George W. Bush. “It gives the impression that she’s been summoned to the principal’s office, which precisely aligns with the optics the Chinese find favorable.”
Jerome Cohen, a professor emeritus of Chinese law and government at New York University, agreed. “Bowing holds no place within accepted protocols,” he said. “It’s a sign of deference that is not appropriate between two senior officials of equal rank.”
Others defended Yellen’s actions, saying that she was simply trying to show respect for Chinese culture. “In China, bowing is a common gesture of respect,” said Wang Huiyao, director of the Center for China and Globalisation. “Yellen was simply following the local custom.”
The Treasury Department has since issued a statement saying that Yellen’s bows were “a gesture of respect for Chinese culture.” The statement also said that the meeting between Yellen and He was “candid, constructive, and comprehensive.”
The incident has highlighted the delicate balance that American officials must strike when dealing with China. On the one hand, they need to show respect for Chinese culture. On the other hand, they also need to stand up for American values. It remains to be seen how Yellen’s bows will be interpreted by the Chinese government and the American public.
In addition to the controversy over her bows, Yellen also made a minor gaffe during her meeting with He. She referred to He as “Vice Premier Hu,” when his name is actually He Lifeng. This mistake was quickly picked up by the media and has been used by some critics to further criticize Yellen’s handling of the meeting.
Despite the controversy, Yellen’s visit to Beijing was generally seen as a success. She and He discussed a range of issues, including trade, climate change, and debt relief. They also agreed to continue working together to address these issues.
The incident over Yellen’s bows is a reminder of the complexities of US-China relations. It is also a reminder of the importance of cultural sensitivity when dealing with foreign leaders.