VZCZCXRO3187
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #2746 2670906
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240906Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6216
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS BEIJING 002746
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: NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, TIRE TRADE, U.S.-CHINA
RELATIONS
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Editorial Quotes
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1. NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
"The U.S. and UK actively promote 'a world free of nuclear weapons'"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(09/24)(pg 16): "According to a recent poll,
the Chinese people have serious doubts about the attitudes of the
U.S. and the UK on disarmament. China does not need to participate
in this process. Some scholars believe that China should not follow
the U.S.'s lead, and should instead continue to develop nuclear
weapons. However, other scholars believe that eliminating nuclear
weapons will ultimately benefit China. Shi Xiamin, an expert on
nuclear non-proliferation, said that major Western countries are
currently promoting nuclear disarmament out of practical
considerations, so that, for example, Russia will temporarily not
threaten the West. Western powers are also concerned that small
countries will use nuclear weapons irresponsibly. If disarmament is
not done reasonably, then it will be unfair. Professor Li Daguang
at the National Defense University argued that since the U.S. has an
absolute advantage in terms of its conventional weapons
capabilities, nuclear weapons have become a big threat for the U.S.
This is the real reason why the U.S. is promoting nuclear
disarmament."
"Obama's proposal is only the first step towards a nuclear
weapons-free world"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(09/24)(pg 14): "Obama's proposal of 'a world
free of nuclear weapons' could be a turning point in the history of
nuclear weapons. However, it is difficult to gain the world's trust
in such a short period of time and there are still many
uncertainties. The U.S. and Russia are still global, nuclear
superpowers, and denuclearization will be a long process since it is
difficult to build up mutual trust. Denuclearization will also
greatly influence China, which has in fact experienced more rewards
than risks from the nuclear weapons it possesses. However, in the
long run, a world free of nuclear weapons will be beneficial for
China since the area neighboring China faces a serious risk of
nuclear proliferation. China will make efforts to promote the
denuclearization process, but will only destroy its last nuclear
weapon when the U.S. and Russia destroy theirs."
2. TIRE TRADE
"President Hu raised 'four points'; Obama responded to tire
friction"
Guangdong 21st Century Publishing Company Ltd.'s business newspaper
21st Century Business Herald (21Shiji Jingji Baodao) (09/24)(pg 3):
"In his meeting with Obama, President Hu Jintao raised four issues:
first, maintaining close, high-level exchanges between the U.S. and
China; second, continuing to work on the issues discussed at this
year's S third, deepening cooperation on major international and
regional issues; and fourth, strengthening cultural and educational
exchanges. When compared to their first meeting in London, the
content of the talks between the two leaders shows a trend towards
addressing more tangible issues. China directly warned the U.S.
concerning the tire trade issue. In his response, Obama downplayed
the issue, indicating that he wants to keep the dispute within
certain parameters. "
3. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS
"U.S. accuses former Air Force Lieutenant Colonel of selling
information to China"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(09/24)(pg 3): "Doctor Zhao Guojun at the
Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences' International Studies Research
Center said that as China's strength increases the West increasingly
sees China as its main intelligence target overseas. However, the
truth and value of so-called classified information has been
generally ignored. In fact, the U.S. is the country that most
actively spies on others, and yet it still likes to accuse other
countries of these activities and has a double standard on this
issue. This fact has been largely ignored due to China's
low-profile style and weaker voice relative to the U.S. in the
international community."
HUNTSMAN