It is no accident that France and the Netherlands have taken the lead in this sordid venture.

Instead, the task of corrupting a centuries old humanistic tradition has fallen to the Chinese Communist Party s ignoble censor in chief and engineer of China s literary exodus and to the greed of some for Chinese gold.

Both countries are in the midst of a deep identity crisis that is mutating into disdain for Europe, foreigners, migrants, and all who represent the other. And both countries are experiencing an increase in popular suspicion toward traditional political elites.