As the seventh-graders held forth, student Chris Gregory noticed one of the teachers passing the table opening a package of Twinkies and popping one in his mouth.
But China's accession to the World Trade Organisation, which brings a package of market-opening concessions, sealed the switch to unconditional relations.
There was a frisson of delicious suspense about every wrapped package you received, from Santa, from Aunt Mabel: that same feeling of possibilities opening out.