Chinese are pragmatists while Americans are idealists

While in difficulty situation as US is in now, pragmatists tend to become convservative, cautious and inclined to see backwards for guidance. That is why Chinese put a lot on experience

Idealists in the same situation will become bold, exploratory and risk-taking. All the time, they have fixed set of ideals in their mind. If you look back American history, Americans have been couragous and bold, did not hesitate to go into unchartered water. Founding a country where people vote to form their own govenment in 1776 was not just bold but radically innovative.