After months of rancor, China is suddenly talking up cooperation on North Korea, the economy, and other difficult issues. There are several possible explanations for the change in tone – and, we hope – substance, says a New York Times editorial. Excerpts: Beijing's bullying has alienated pretty much everyone out there, and China's leaders may have finally figured that out. The Obama administration's recent tough talk, coupled with President Obama's pomp-filled welcome this week of President Hu Jintao, were also clear reminders of the cost of alienating the United States and the benefits of getting along. Hu appeared eager to make his American hosts happy, pledging to work to resolve differences over market access and the protection of intellectual property. He also came bearing gifts. The White House announced $45 billion worth of American export deals to China, which it said would support 235,000 jobs. Many of these deals had been reached as far back as three years ago, but Hu and Obama were eager to claim credit. It is too early to know how far China is really prepared to go, but Hu made several potentially significant concessions. He said the country would now audit government agencies' software purchases and publish their results in an attempt to end their widespread use of pirated software. And he signaled that his government is willing to temper the most controversial aspects of its “indigenous innovation” plan to favor domestic companies in government procurement deals. President Hu was also more accommodating than usual on North Korea and publicly acknowledged that “a lot still needs to be done in China in terms of human rights.” On both those issues, we'll take verify over trust. Hu could start by releasing Liu Xiaobo, the pro-democracy activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner. At Washington's urging, China finally expressed concern over North Korea's recently unveiled uranium enrichment plant. It still has not denounced North Korea's torpedoing of a South Korean warship. As the North's main supplier of fuel and food, China may be the only country that can rein in Pyongyang. American officials said that, in private talks, Hu agreed to try – but only after Obama warned that the United States may have to redeploy its military forces in Asia to protect itself from the North's belligerence. It is far too early to assume that the Chinese government has decided to turn a new strategic leaf. But it is clearly taking a second look at things. __
