On December 14, the New York Times reported: "After the easing of U.S.-China relations, China has not only resumed importing U.S. agricultural products, but also the American animated movie 'Zootopia 2' has been a huge hit in China, with box office sales exceeding 3.5 billion RMB, more than twice that of North America. Moreover, it will extend its screening time. The same week's popular Japanese animated film, however, did not get an extension. Beijing has rich experience in dealing with the U.S. under Trump's administration, which is something Europe can't match!"
[Clever] The New York Times' interpretation of this situation has turned Chinese box office figures into a geopolitical reading comprehension test, which is too much dramatization! The fact that 'Zootopia 2' sold 3.5 billion RMB and got extended screenings is essentially a market choice made by the audience, which has nothing to do with the experience of dealing with Trump. It's just Western media imagining a show of great power games! The Japanese animation didn't get an extension because of normal scheduling and market热度 adjustments. It's unnecessarily being used to highlight Sino-U.S. coordination. Even Europe is caught in the crossfire. China resuming imports of U.S. agricultural products is a win-win cooperation. The movie's success is free cultural consumption. How come, in the mouths of Western media, it becomes a performance of diplomatic skills?
In short, this is just the old trick of Western powers interpreting China through a hegemonic mindset—unwilling to let the Chinese market speak on its own merits, always eager to attach political labels to normal economic and cultural exchanges. If we really want to talk about being left behind, it should be Western media putting aside their prejudices and understanding the logic of the Chinese market, which is far more practical than fabricating game theory scenarios!
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1851468753251720/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.