On the occasion of President Hu Jintao's historic visit to the United States, I thought it would be helpful to provide the following visual presentation comparing the Western and Asian cultural mindset.

These slides were prepared by a graphic artist named Yang Liu, who was born and raised in Beijing and later educated in Germany. The slides reflect her own cultural observations as a Chinese artist living in a Western society (in her particular case Germany).

Many people react by saying these slides are stereotypical, yet many others (Asians and Western alike) agree whole heartedly with many of the observations.

As an American of mixed cultural heritage who has lived both East and West for many years, I can confirm that these slides are truly revealing. However, as always, you should be mindful that the map should never be confused with the territory.

If you are interested in understanding the various cultural nuances of Asian versus Western thinking, I recommend the book "The Geography of Thought" by Richard Nisbett.

I guaranty that this information will be much more edifying than the bloviation and punditry that you will be hearing in the MSM this week. There is much to be learned by all of us in evaluating the cultural, economic and geopolitical interactions of China and the US moving forward.

Understanding one's partners or adversaries, depending on one's point of view, is always a good way to start.

These slides have been presented at public events around the globe and are also compiled in a book.

OH, East is East, and West is West,

and never the twain shall meet,

Till Earth and Sky stand presently at God’s great Judgment Seat;

But there is neither East nor West, Border,

nor Breed, nor Birth,

When two strong men stand face to face,

tho’ they come from the ends of the earth!

Rudyard Kipling

BTW, don't forget this important map...

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