It's time to take an objective view of China

The 2008 Beijing Olympics has put China in the spotlight this summer.

To a young Chinese studying in the United States, especially one with a journalist background, I prefer to discuss China with American friends of different backgrounds. To my delight, most of them hold a friendly and positive attitude toward China, and sometimes criticize the country out of sincerity.

What surprises and worries me, however, is that most other Americans even elites know little about China. Their views are often lagged, biased, and full of contradictions.