On a superficial level, Beijing is unhappy with what it sees as a series of calculated Australian blows to Chinese interests.

WSJ: The Rio Tinto Lesson

Beijing is deeply unhappy about the Americans' growing defense links with Japan and their plans for a missile-defense system covering Asia.

CNN: EMBASSY FIASCO

The next dispute looks as if it will involve poultry: Washington is investigating reports that Beijing has started to block chicken imports from the U.S. Chinese officials have been unhappy that the U.S. is not certifying that China's chicken is safe for sale here.

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