[Fai Mao]

When you go to China and look around, you realize that in many ways, China has been conquered by the West.

The clothing they wear, the furniture they sit on, and the form of government are all Western imports. There are “native” elements in food and interpersonal relationships, but other than language, anybody from the US could move to China and feel comfortable living there. There is very little culture shock.

[dfwgator]

That’s what they also said about Japan in the early 1930s. They loved baseball and western entertainment.

It all changed, overnight.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

When you go to China and look around, you realize that in many ways, China has been conquered by the West.

The clothing they wear, the furniture they sit on, and the form of government are all Western imports.

Same could be said of both Iran and Afghanistan about 50 years ago. This "soft power" tends to be over-rated - won't stop them from going to war with us.

[Allegra]

There’s a KFC on practically every corner in Shanghai.

And there’s a Tony Roma’s, Rainforest Cafe, Hooters and Cheesecake Factory…

At least that’s how it was in early 2001.