November 17, 2009 11:49 AM

U.S. Ambassador to China: "China Expert" is an Oxymoron

By
Stephanie Condon
Topics
World Affairs
(AP)
After 30 years of a formal relationship between the U.S. and Chinese governments, their bilateral commitment to global issues is more important than ever, Jon Huntsman, U.S. Ambassador to China, said during a press briefing in Beijing Tuesday. The United States and China, he said, are the only two countries that together can solve issues relating to energy, climate change, regional security or the global economy.

"I would say today like never before we are in a position where we should be able to coordinate on many of these key issues in an unprecedented way," he said.

President Obama on Tuesday met with Chinese President Hu Jintao in what Huntsman called "an all-time high in terms of the bilateral atmosphere."

In spite of that positive assessment, Huntsman cautioned that the United States -- and he personally -- still have quite a bit to learn about China.

"Don't mistake me for being an expert, because I've been here for three months," Huntsman said. "And I've come to the conclusion that 'China expert' is kind of an oxymoron. And those who consider themselves to be China experts are kind of morons. So you take what you can, you learn what you can, and you begin to pull all the pieces together, and still it kind of remains sometimes a somewhat confused environment."

More on President Obama's trip to China:

Photo Essay: Obama in China
Obama Stresses Cooperation With Hu, China
At Shanghai Forum, Obama Stresses Freedoms
Transcript: Obama's Town Hall in China
President Obama, Can We Twitter?
U.S., China Fuel Each Other's Bad Habits
In China, Obama Meets America's Lender

Add a Comment
by wushumaro33 September 18, 2010 5:04 PM EDT
This statement shows Jon Huntsman's lack of understanding of China. Anyone who calls themselves an expert, might not be, but there is no doubt a slew of experts on China. In China to be called a zhong guo tong by Chinese people makes you a sort of "expert." And saying that people who call themselves experts are morons, just shows total lack of understanding of this and of Chinese culture... I guess what he meant to say was that if he were to call himself a China expert he would feel like a moron, because he's not an expert. Makes me wonder how he got the position.
Reply to this comment
by stoptheadoptionbyBanks February 25, 2010 2:57 PM EST
Ambassador HUNTSMAN has ADOPTION PROBLEMS IN UTAH

UTAH COUPLE,CONVICTED CRIMINALS ADOPTED A CHINESE GIRL IN UTAH


Monday, February 22, 2010
Call for Full Investigation into Amelya Frances Kirkpatrick's Adoption in Utah

According to a court document obtained by PEAR, on February 9, 2010, Scott and Karen Banks, former owners of adoption agency Focus on Children, were allowed to adopt another child, originally from China. The Banks were indicted on 135 Federal counts in 2007 for a fraudulent adoption scheme in Samoa. In 2009, they pled guilty to Aiding and Abetting the Improper Entry of an Alien in a plea deal made with the US Attorney's office in Utah. They were given a sentence of five years probation during which time they are forbidden to participate in the adoption business and are required to make payment into a trust for the victims.

The recent adoption occurred after evidence of their illegal activities with their Samoan adoption program were put on record in Utah courts. Also supplied was information regarding the Banks two previously adopted Romanian children.

According to numerous media sources and their now-adult Romanian daughter's own affidavit, this child and her sibling were flown to Samoa by Scott Banks and left without legal documentation in 2000, leaving these adoptees in a legal limbo. In addition, according to an affidavit given by their caregiver in Samoa, the Banks have had no contact with either child since their arrival, nor have they supported the children in any way since abandoning them in Samoa.

Furthermore, a third child of the Banks, suffering from cerebral palsy and also adopted from Romania, has been alleged in various documents to have been severely neglected in their home. This child was placed in a group home in Utah.

PEAR believes that anyone convicted of crimes involving children should be barred from the possibility of adopting any other children. We also believe that any parents convicted of or with a history of legitimate allegations of child abuse and neglect should be barred from adopting children.

PEAR opposes any practice that does not protect the rights of the child to live a life free from abuse and neglect with qualified and loving adoptive parents. To not hold these rights paramount in an adoption proceeding undermines every moral and ethical standard that each child deserves.

We are sponsoring a petition to be sent to the Governor of Utah asking his office to open an investigation into how and why this family was allowed to adopt another child given their dubious history. If you agree with the statements made please take a moment to sign the petition.

The petition can be found at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/utahadoption/

Measure passed by PEAR?s board 2/19/2010


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