Why is it always us? Is China now so striking that it deserves to be derided by the most powerful man in the world twice in one week?

After an interview with The Economist on August 2, in which US President Barack Obama clenched his fists and called for a firm attitude toward China, he talked to The New York Times on Friday, saying China had been using the US for a "free ride" for the last 30 years. In an answer to The Times' columnist Thomas Friedman, who asked whether China, the biggest energy investor in Iraq, should act as a major stakeholder, Obama said sometimes he wished the US could be more like China, as no one expects it to do anything.

It sounds reasonable. China's rise is based on a US-dominated global order, and what has China done to this order?

China could try to put itself in Washington's shoes, and understand how its declining strength as a superpower makes the country increasingly petty.

But it is still necessary to sort out the facts. China's development is occurring within the current global order, which is also welcomed by the West. Although not an active player in the sphere of security, China keeps contributing to world economy, playing a pivotal role in the 1997 Asia financial crisis and 2008 global financial crisis.

As for security crises such as the one in Iraq, the mess was created by the US itself, especially the Bush administration. Now it has to be cleared up by Obama. China is the last one who should be blamed for the Iraqi situation, because 11 years ago, China was one of the major powers opposing the US, which had been fully prepared to wield a baton toward Iraq.

There is no doubt that China should take more responsibility for world peace and prosperity. But where those responsibilities lie is not decided by Washington. What the US desires does not equal the welfare of all humankind.

We can also imagine what the West especially the US would think about China if the latter chose to take massive and proactive actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Public opinion would probably impose more labels on China such as "ambitious" and "aggressive."

This "Chinese responsibility" theory has been put forward by the US when its intervention in the greater Middle East area cannot find a way out. They have found out that the way things work in this area does not depend on the willingness of the West, which China is fully aware of, making the US feel humiliated and uncomfortable.

The turbulence in the Middle East was not caused by China, but China must get involved to help sort it out. Working with the US and Europe and delivering more assistance to this area is China's best choice.

Being driven by the West to be more proactive in global diplomacy does not go against China's national interests. Obama's whining is not pleasant, but we can find more opportunities rather than feeling disgusted.