Chinese embrace America's culture - but not its policies

Beijing

WEARING a hoodie emblazoned with an oversized US dollar bill, Zhao Yixiang sells an American brand of skateboards for a living and admires much about the United States, including its raucous rap music and tradition of unfettered expression.

"America is a country full of free speech," he said at his shop in downtown Beijing. "You can say what you want, go where you want, choose your own lifestyle. I admire that a lot. But on territorial and military issues, we're pretty far apart. I think a lot of people in my generation think like that," said Mr Zhao, 26. "We really like American culture, but we also like to have a government that doesn't show weakness abroad."