Beijing, China (CNN) -- For thousands of years, China has seen itself as the Middle Kingdom, the center of the universe -- a view that shapes China's understanding of the world and contributes to an indifferent attitude toward other countries. The world may be watching the U.S. election, but China isn't concerned with who wins. And many here believe America has lost the credibility it once had on the world stage. Unlike the 1960s or '70s, when America had a more convincing claim as the moral arbiter of the world, many Chinese officials now believe the United States is only concerned with its own economic gain.
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Ai: Romney, Obama evaded mention of China's suspect human rights issues in campaign
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While not perfect, Ai says America should be proud of its elections and democracy
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Ai: China's one-party system is inhuman, stands against weight of civilization
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While China desires to understand the world, it fails to accept its universal values
Chinese intellectuals, and indeed the public at large, believe that no matter who wins the race, @placeholder will have to be soft in its approach to our country because there is so much at stake.