Yes, there are ways to mitigate the problem by soften the image

I am reasonably good at dealing with people, both Americans and Chinese, and get what I want. I think the Chinese are getting it wrong completely in presenting themselves to the rest of the world. It is unfortunate, but there is nothing I can do for that matter.

I am NOT idealistic at all. I consider myself pragmatic because I am more interested in the results of democratic government system then the idea democracy itself. The western election system is bottom up, the government officials answer to the people they govern, not the official above them. It works much better than the Chinese system.