Chinese antiques have delicacy and intricacy that can amaze and delight. To view such pieces is to deeply appreciate that such an ancient civilization was creating such intricacy when most of the world, including Europeans lived in caves and trees is to appreciate the rich depth of the Inner Kingdom. And yet as the present leaders remind us, this great civilization did not involve democracy, and they see no need to have it intrude into their eastern ways, which have worked so well for so long.

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