For the global village, China's renewal is a source of economic growth, a factor of stability and an invitation to explore new ideas. In fact, through countless material or intellectual Silk Roads, an unprecedented intensity of exchanges between China and the world is already taking the global system to another level. Businesses, governments' priorities and academic institutions have been transformed by this complex but promising process.

However, some fail to grasp the big picture, and for them, China's re-emergence generates anxiety. This explains partly why nervousness is a recurring element of the Sino-Western relationship. In the midst of a phase of tension, one has to draw the attention to what really matters and to show the ways which can lead to a more serene climate.

EVEREST BASE CAMP, Tibet (CNN) -- The Olympic flame reached the top of the world Thursday morning, carried to the summit of Mount Everest by climbers wearing oxygen masks to breathe in the thin air of the earth's highest point.

A 21-year-old Tibetan woman -- the youngest member of the expedition -- carried the flame atop the peak. Once there, the mountaineers removed their masks so television cameras could record their faces and so they could shout and cheer their feat.

The climbers, braving gusty winds and freezing windchill, relayed the flame -- ignited earlier from the main Olympic flame, now coursing across China en route to host city Beijing -- to the summit by 9:15 a.m. (9:15 p.m. ET Wednesday), about two hours ahead of schedule.

"They were very motivated, they were very excited," said journalist Tomas Etzler from the Everest base camp at 5,360 meters (17,600 ft).

Without rights, pride is empty
For Chinese-Americans, a sinking feeling

By W.G. Huang
May 4, 2008

Despite their deep-rooted political differences regarding China's Communist government, many Chinese-Americans had high hopes that the Olympic Games would bring pride and respect to our communities.

Chinese restaurants here in Chicago proudly put the Olympic mascots on display. Chinese-Americans like me make a point of buying Olympic souvenirs for friends when we travel to China.

The Olympics, we hoped, would show mainstream America that China is no longer a poor country where most people are starving but one wealthy enough to compete as an equal in international sports. Plus, the Games could help allay any bad feelings caused by the scandals surrounding unsafe toys made in China.