Condi Encounters Plethora of Matching Armchairs in China, Little Else

It was a big deal when that "I am not a crook" guy went to China. Condi? Eh. She was all, like, "OMG, you guys totally have human rights abuses," and they were, like, "Um, when's the last time you looked in the mirror, OK?"

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (L) meets Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, October 20, 2006. Rice on Friday pressed China on its human rights record, but Beijing countered it had its own problems with the United States. REUTERS/Takanori Sekine/Pool (CHINA)

And that's pretty much that. Yes, there are "stand and shake hands" pics, and dueling podium shots, but mostly matching armchairs. With the Premier:

With the Chinese State Councillor:

I mean... come on! Where are the interesting photo-ops? Send her to a rice paddy! Put her in a cute pointy hat! Surround her with loveable children! Bind her feet! It's not like she's accomplishing anything newsworthy.

UPDATE: The news this morning is that Condi was all, like, "Don't worry, I'll take care of this Korea thing," and then the Chinese guys are all, like, "Um, that's OK, Condi, we'll do it."