Beijing in August

Twenty years ago, the Chinese thought every American was a millionaire. This notion was plainly illustrated by the country's entry requirements, as anyone blessed with a bald eagle on his passport was ushered right in, socks and sandals be damned. These days, however, it seems American privilege may have come to a not-so-happy ending: our tourists now must pass through the same visa rigmarole as everyone else. China is now dealing with us, and all of the other great powers of the world, on its own terms.