But, in the case of China’s ham-handedness in the&#160;South China Sea, domestic constituencies decrying “weakness” and demanding toughness from political leaders are a key factor. Among China’s 500 million Internet users, for example, one senses a palpable rise in nationalist sentiment, reflected in bitter criticism of official “weakness” in defending Chinese interests.
在这种情况之下，对于政策选择显然应该有多重考虑。但是中国之所以在南中国海问题上进退失当，关键因素是国内民众公开谴责“政府示弱”并要求领导人表现强硬。中国现有的5亿网民如今民族主义情绪高涨，都在严厉批评官方在维护中国利益问题面前“太软弱”。