Still, it is right to ask if the American way of life will survive the twenty-first century, and, if it does, whether it will survive in America or migrate elsewhere as the US economy and political system collapse under the accumulated weight of decades of myopic national leadership and squandered opportunities. Indeed, Chinese President Hu Jintao’s recent trip to Washington was seen by many – particularly many Chinese – as the passing of the torch.
尽管如此，我们也应当质疑美国人这种生活方式是否能在21世纪继续存在下去，如果答案是肯定的，那么在数届急功近利的政府挥霍了无数机遇，最终经济政治双双破产的情况下，这种生活方式是将留在美国，还是迁往别处？事实上，中国国家主席胡锦涛最近对美国的访问在许多人（尤其是许多中国人）眼中就是前来接过世界霸主的权杖了。