Mayor Bloomberg acquitted himself well on his trip to Communist China, speaking up for capitalism and free speech. In one set of remarks he made there, he quoted a report by American experts that said China is emerging as a center for management innovation, and said, “this innovation is being driven in China by private sector entrepreneurs, not state-controlled industries — which comes as no surprise to anyone who has worked in both the public and private sector, as I have.”

He stressed, “innovation takes root in societies that allow their people the freedom to pursue and express new ideas. As the founder of a data and media company, I can tell you that efforts to control access to information — whether it’s the internet or anywhere else — will undermine progress. Access to information is a strength, not a threat … and it is a fundamental part of innovation. The more that China embraces this notion, the more innovative it will become.”

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He said — in remarks we wish he’d keep in mind when it comes to privatizing the city’s subway lines — that “innovation is driven by competition. Government-controlled industries, by reducing competition, reduce innovation.” He also pressed the Chinese on pollution and on intellectual property rights. He did this all in a straightforward, no-nonsense way that gives a glimpse of how he might, as president, conduct our intercourse with foreign countries.

And speaking up for American values in a straightforward, non-arrogant way is something that we sense people are looking for in a presidential candidate. Mr. Bloomberg didn’t turn in a perfect performance — we’d have preferred he included Taiwan and democracy activists in Hong Kong on his itinerary. But it was a strong performance. With polls showing voter dissatisfaction with the existing candidates, all the more reason for Mr. Bloomberg to get into the presidential race. We’ve not endorsed him, but we were the first and have been the most persistent in urging him to run, and his performance in China only increases the logic of his entering the lists.