World Notes China

Is China dropping its usual go-away-and-quit-bothering-us line? Depends. Chen Hong, Vice Minister of Civil Affairs, appealed last week to "governments of all nations" to send assistance for victims of the floods that have devastated 18 of China's provinces since June. It was believed to be the first time the People's Republic has ever asked for help in coping with a natural disaster.

China is also in effect asking for continued low American tariffs on its exports -- but in more truculent tones. When the House last week voted 313 to 112 to cancel most-favored-nation status next year unless China improves its human-rights record, Beijing denounced the "gross interference in China's internal affairs" and urged Congress "to stop this kind of practice." In other words, put up and shut up.