VZCZCXRO6885
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #2403 2320850
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 200850Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5721
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS BEIJING 002403
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: PREL ECON KMDR OPRC CH
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: AFGHAN ELECTION, CHINESE IMMIGRATION TO
U.S., CHINA'S PUBLIC RELATIONS STRATEGY
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Editorial Quotes
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1. AFGHAN ELECTION
"Does the second presidential election in Afghanistan represent a
democratic evolution?" (pg 3)
21st Century Publishing Company's business newspaper 21st Century
Business Herald (21 Shiji Jingji Baodao)(08/20): "All of the typical
characteristics of Western elections, such as intense political
debates, campaign rallies, and even televised debates, are emerging
in this year's elections in Afghanistan. But can this form of
democracy really reduce conflicts and lead Afghans to prosperity?
Continuous terrorist attacks have shown that the election is still
'a trial of democracy amidst the sound of gunshots.' In addition,
the U.S. and the UK have had an influence and a role in the
election, so this is more than just the Afghan people's election.
The cooperation of the U.S. and the UK with Karzai's government in
the War on Terror and in cracking down on the Taliban is in fact a
type of tacit support for Karzai. No matter what types of worries
surround this election, it represents an opportunity for Afghans to
unfold their new lives. In fact, more and more Afghans are
beginning to believe that their votes can bring change."
2. CHINESE IMMIGRATION TO U.S.
"40,000 Chinese became U.S. citizens last year" (pg 16)
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(08/20): "China is the fourth largest source
country for foreigners who become the U.S. citizens. The Chinese
public still has mixed feelings about Chinese celebrities becoming
citizens of foreign countries. People's opinions differ on whether
this represents a loss of Chinese talent or a sign of China's
integration with the world. Wang Limin, an immigration specialist,
said that the U.S. is an attractive destination for many Chinese
immigrants because of its good living conditions and social
benefits. U.S. immigration policy no longer focuses strictly on
'talent,' but now also focuses on [prospective immigrants']
'financial capability.' Americans do not think that 40,000 Chinese
becoming U.S. citizens is that big of a deal. They think Chinese
immigrants are generally very talented and are happy to accept them.
Zhang Shengjun, a professor at Beijing Normal University, said that
the Chinese, because of their special historical and cultural
traditions, are a special group of people. Chinese living overseas
have brought back foreign techniques and capital to China and have
helped to create a better, more foreign-friendly environment in
their country. The fact that Chinese immigrate to other countries
has created a positive trend, which now requires China to have a
good environment for economic development to attract talented
Chinese living overseas to come back to China."
3. CHINA'S PUBLIC RELATIONS STRATEGY
"China needs to find a more acceptable way to get its message heard
in the West" (pg 14)
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(08/20): "Though Chinese and Australian media
are criticizing each other over [Uyghur activist] Rebiya Kadeer's
invitation to Australia, many Australians do not care about the
issue at all. The ineffective communication between China and
Australia is obviously the crux of the problem. Foreign countries
have not come to the conclusion that Rebiya is a criminal based on
the '7.5' (July 5) incident in Xinjiang, including Australians, who
do not think Rebiya is a terrorist. Westerners are accustomed to
draw their own conclusions based on information they collect through
various channels. China cannot prevent Westerners from watching
programs that glorify Rebiya. Westerners will not realize that
Rebiya is a criminal until China lets them make up their own minds
based on hearing both sides of the story. China must do more to get
its side of the story heard by reaching out to larger audiences
through a variety of methods, including the Internet, audio and
video products, books, and other media. In this way, China can try
to diminish Western prejudice on the Xinjiang issue."
GOLDBERG