The Chinese asked some tough questions on Monday about whether the US is being a responsible borrower, says the political website, Politico. The Chinese government owns more than $800 billion in US government debt and they want reassurances about their investment in US Treasury bonds This conversation illustrates the changing balance of economic power around the world, notes the website.

Le Figaro says the US-China summit marks the emergence of the “G2”. The paper says the importance of the meeting cannot be underestimated. Economically, America as the big spender and China as the big saver hold each other by the “beard”, according to Le Figaro! Monterary risks, the temptation to return to protectionism in a time of crisis and the fragility of the financial markets mean that both countries are required to cooperate more. Real cooperation is also developing on climate change, international diplomacy with regard to Iran, North Korea and Pakistan. This is without precedent and for Europe in particular this is another step towards being marginalised while the continent awaits more efficient institutions of governance, the article concludes.

“This dialogue promises to be different”, says China Daily. Often high level dialogues yield nothing more than broad statements of goodwill with little concrete workable change. But the global downturn has had a major impact on both countries and on their bilateral ties. The outcome of this deal on Strategic and Economic Development will “affect political and economic ties for at least the next few years.” For the first time that could include discussions on the environment and energy.

Also in China Daily, let’s have a look at their “China Scene” page which provides a whole range of human interest stories. Today, it includes a photo of an environmentally friendly wedding. Xin Jia and his pride along with all their guests rode bikes to and from the wedding. Another photo shows a female dog feeding three lion cubs and a tiger cub at the Hefei Wildlife Park. Their mothers weren’t caring for them so this dog was substituted instead! Another story of note recounts how a waitress in a restaurant in Ningbo swallowed a cockroach crawling in one of the guest’s bowl of noodles in order to prove that the insect was harmless!

The front page headline in the left-leaning UK paper, The Independent says, “Voters turn against war in Afghanistan.” After two further soldiers have been killed in the fighting in Helmund Valley - bringing the total this month to 22 - a majority of British voters now believe that the war in Afghanistan is unwinnable and want troops withdrawn. 52% of those polled want troops withdrawn right away. 43% disagree. Women are more opposed than men.

Elsewhere in the Independent, there is an interview with M15 whistleblower David Shayler. According to the paper he has become a “transvestite squatter”. Shayler revealed some 12 years ago that MI6 was funding Islamist terrorists to assassinate Libya Colonel Gaddafi. This and other revelations forced him into exile. He received the Independent dressed in a blonde wig and leopard skin dress. He apparently now believes he is the second coming of Christ and denies accusations that he has had a mental breakdown. "I don't give a f**k what other people think of me. A bloke in a frock is whole lot less offensive than blowing up innocent people in Iraq and Afghanistan." There he might have a point…

Finally, the LA Times reports that Facebook is now intending to stick your mugshot into your friends’ sponsored posts. A mix up last week even had third party Facebook applications randomly serving ads with users’ faces. This article says if you don’t want to lend your identity to Facebook’s ad program, go to the privacy settings on your profile and under Facebook Ads, select “No One”.