To outside eyes, that’s bad, if not pathetic. Here is the government of one of the most powerful nations on earth abjectly refusing to take responsibility for something that, conceivably, it could have had a hand in preventing. Whenever I see inexplicable situations in China, rather than lash out or go postal, I stop imbibing caffeine and sit back for a moment to reflect on some of the reasons this could be happening.

I think there is a much simpler explanation then it being an actual PR policy. I think it goes directly to the age old idea of face…and how a direct acceptance of responsibility would mean losing face. Just think about it…how many times have we all been in the situation in China where although the facts are clearer then glass (for example, catching a student cheating red-handed) but where the individual under fire refuses to accept responsibility. To the American, it seems senseless but not so to the Chinese where it is seen as a rational defense mechanism. The point being that with the mistake already realized internally (and all know that it was you who made the mistake) there would be no need to voice it outwardly (which would make admission redundant). Similarly, blaming others takes the bright spotlight of retribution off themselves and filters it among the many if only briefly. You have to figure if this happens on the micro level that it will surely happen on the macro level too. No surprise there.

Why China Might Be Playing the Blame Game