These days, people expect a lot from China. Beijing is expected to help Washington persuade (or force) North Korea and Iran to ditch their nuclear ambitions. It is expected to set the developing world's agenda on reducing carbon emissions. It is expected to keep buying US Treasuries, but not to create the requisite surpluses by selling Americans consumer goodies they can no longer afford. While it's at it, it is expected to bail out Greece. Oh, and it is expected to keep its own economy barrelling along at 10 per cent a year. In short, it is expected to save the world.
如今，人們對中國抱有很多期望。人們期望它協助美國說服（或迫使）北韓和伊朗放棄核野心；期望它制定發展中國家的減排議程；期望它繼續購買美國國債，但不要向美國消費者兜售他們再也消費不起的玩意兒，從而累積必要的盈餘——儘管它正埋頭此事，人們依然期望它能出面救助希臘；噢，人們還期望它能夠讓本國經濟繼續以每年10%的速度成長。簡而言之，人們期望中國能夠拯救世界。