VZCZCXRO7722
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #4702 3660842
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 310842Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1669
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS BEIJING 004702
DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/CM, EAP/PA, EAP/PD, C
HQ PACOM FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR (J007)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR CH
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, ISRAEL
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Editorial Quotes
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1. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS
a. "The U.S.-China relationship is the greatest attempt in all of
history"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/31): "In the past 30 years, the U.S.-China
relationship has become the most important bilateral relationship in
the World. This relationship is an example of a peaceful coexistence
to the entire world. The relationship shows that two different
ideologies, and frequent sources of confrontation, does not
necessarily mean that one side must win over another side, or that
the rising of a newly emerging country does not necessarily indicate
the decline of an 'old-power' country. On the contrary, the joining
hands of these two countries will be a powerful driver for the
World's prosperity. The development of U.S.-China relations can be
described as an experiment and a test. First, this is a great
attempt at the peaceful coexistence of different ideologies; second,
within the same international system, this is a great attempt at the
peaceful coexistence of a newly-emerging country and an 'old power'
country. Third, the development of the relationship has provided a
new model to developing and developed countries on how cooperation
between the two can help solve the World's issues. What will be the
theme in the 21 century? The answer greatly depends on what the
U.S.-China relationship looks like."
b. "Better Sino-U.S. ties are in both nations' interest"
Tao Wenzhao, a researcher with the Institute of American Studies
under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, commented on the
official English-language newspaper China Daily (12/31): "Bilateral
ties between China and the United States have developed over the
past 30 years along a generally tortuous but "forward moving" road.
...As the World's largest developing and developed countries, China
and the U.S. should value the hard-won fruits in bilateral ties and
do their utmost to press ahead with the momentum of their healthy
development. The two nations should first have enough respect for
each other's concerns, especially concerns over their core
interests. ... The continued U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation and
arms sales to the island will forever hang like Damocles' Sword over
a final settlement of the vexed Taiwan question. At the same time,
the U.S. should also handle the Tibet issue in a cautious manner, as
it is also one that relates to China's core national interest. ...To
push forward bilateral development, the two countries should
continue to enhance mutual trust. ...Also, the two countries should
strengthen mutual coordination on major international and regional
issues. ...
It is believed that bilateral ties will move toward a higher plateau
with efforts from both sides."
2. ISRAEL
"Israel is making an unpreventable mess in the Middle East"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/31): "Any buildings that represent the
strength of Hamas in the Gaza strip have been destroyed by the
Israelis. The prediction that an all-out war in the Middle East is
going to happen has circled around the region. International media
has become more sentimental about the chaos criticizing Bush's
policy that favors Israel, the European congress who honors Israel,
the Arabian politicians and Hamas leaders. International media
indicates that the recent conflict has made the situation more
complicated and difficult. A former U.S. Secretary of State opined,
'the Israel - Palestine issue is an issue that is likely
un-resolvable.' Arabian media has condemned Israel's violence and
discussed the unified actions of Arabian countries and the West's
ignorance of the Gaza disaster. Voice of American reported that most
of analysts believe that finding a resolution for the Middle East
issue will be a hard task for Obama."
RANDT