Sri Lanka, Sept. 15 -- Historically, the West has always had an equivocal attitude towards China, not to mention the non-white world. A fear, a suspicion, a fascination, an uncertainty, a sense of superiority and even a loathing reserved for an undeserving competitor pervaded its dealings. Perhaps, resulting from perceptions that evolved on the basis of the writings of 19th century visitors, missionaries, diplomats, traders, et al who came to China pompously full of their own socio-religious values and found a wealthy society that simply did not fit in to their preconceptions and that did not seem willing to accommodate their prescriptions. Instead the Chinese stayed with their own values. These prejudices have lasted to this day and self...