VZCZCXRO0370
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #2437 2370926
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 250926Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5774
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS BEIJING 002437
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: INFLUENCE OF NGOS, MILITARY WEBSITES, U.S.
CORPORATE BRIBERY
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Editorial Quotes
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1. INFLUENCE OF NGOS
"China hampered due to lack of non-governmental organizations" (pg
14)
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(08/25): "Foreign non-governmental
organizations and 'transnational social movements' are increasingly
affecting China's image abroad and its internal stability. However,
because of the lack of Chinese NGOs, China does not have a similar
influence abroad. China is hampered in its foreign relations
because of the shortage of Chinese NGOs. These days, the
international community expresses its strategic hostility towards
China through NGOs; however, there are no similar organizations in
China that can counter the influence of these foreign NGOs. Western
societies would rather believe [Uyghur activist] Rebiya Kadeer's
false remarks than believe the Chinese government's explanation
about the 'July 5' incident in Xinjiang because Westerners tend to
doubt official versions of events as being merely propaganda. China
has underestimated the impact NGOs have on a government's influence.
Using NGOs to promote a particular political agenda has become a
common practice in international politics. China's NGOs should be
immediately brought up on the agenda."
2. MILITARY WEBSITES
"Launch of Ministry of National Defense website shows China's
confidence" (pg 2)
The China Radio International sponsored newspaper World News Journal
(Shijie Xinwenbao)(08/25): "In the Internet era, we should recognize
that maintaining secrecy is one kind of strength, but transparency
is an equal, if not greater, strength. China's military departments
should not ignore the influence of the Internet. By showcasing
advanced weaponry, the website of the U.S. Department of Defense has
made good use of the Internet to fight psychological warfare against
its potential opponents. China could also use its Ministry of
National Defense (MND) website to disprove some Western countries
deliberate attempts to downplay China's military strength, or to
influence the citizens of other countries. In addition, showing
China's advanced weapons and research projects in an appropriate way
on the [MND] website will improve the world's perception of 'Made in
China' products."
3. U.S. CORPORATE BRIBERY
"U.S. companies involved in giving bribes in more than 30 countries"
(pg 1)
The China Radio International-sponsored newspaper World News Journal
(Shijie Xinwenbao)(08/25): "The State-Owned Assets Supervision and
Administration Commission has expressed concern over the case of the
U.S. company Control Component Inc. (CCI), which allegedly bribed
many Chinese companies. In a recent press release, the U.S.
Department of Justice listed nine Chinese companies as having taken
bribes from CCI. The Justice Department filed a case against CCI
based on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which was passed to
restrict U.S. companies from bribing foreign government officials.
The Act's definition of 'foreign government officials' includes
employees of foreign state-owned enterprises. U.S. media have not
paid much attention to this case, whereas Chinese media have."
HUNTSMAN