Thumb In The Eye!

The Chinese have a cute sense of humor.  On the one hand they keep the U.S. Secretary of State waiting in the wings, won't return phone calls from the U.S. Secretary of Defense, and are diplomatically civil but not particularly forthcoming in visits from the U.S. Treasury Secretary and U.S. climate boss and at the same time roll out the red carpet for "Old Friend" Henry Kissinger, "Old Friend" Bill Gates and "Old Friend" Elon Musk.

In other words, it's a not so subtle thumb in the eye for the current American administration and a warm welcome from Supreme Leader Xi himself for a few Old Friends.

Like I say, "Cute."