China and the West Unravelling 100 Years of Misunderstanding

Racial and national pride is the most powerful patriotic emotion that unites the Chinese against the USA. Having felt bullied by the Yangren (white people) for over 100 years, overtaking the US is a matter of revenge for the Chinese, who have been learning about the historical humiliation of China via 'patriotic' education (in which the Opium War of 1839 has been the leading tune). Rather than a successful national model, grown in and benefitting from the international system led by the US, China has taken itself as a victim under the Western and American control. Thus, the national interest of defeating the US has turned into the whole country's individual interest and duty as well.