VZCZCXRO2317
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #3293/01 3440931
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 100931Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7143
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003293
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 SENV KGHG KMDR OPRC CH
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: COPENHAGEN CLIMATE CONFERENCE, OBAMA'S
NOBEL PRIZE, AFGHANISTAN
--------------------
Editorial Quotes
--------------------
1. COPENHAGEN CLIMATE CONFERENCE
a. "In Copenhagen, a Chinese official is refused entry three
times"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/10)(pg 16): "For the past two days,
Chinese delegates at the Copenhagen climate conference have directly
criticized the United States, Europe and Japan. Su Wei, the chief
negotiator for the Chinese delegation, said that developed
countries, given their 200 years of industrialization, should be
accountable for today's climate changes. A secret 'Denmark deal'
has been reached, irritating developing countries and throwing the
conference into chaos. The disputes between the two camps
(developing countries vs. developed countries) have intensified.
Developing countries believe the Denmark deal is a betrayal,
depriving them of their right to fairly participate in the climate
change issue. According to Australian media, the Secretariat of the
conference and the government of Denmark have both denied the
existence of such a deal. A Chinese expert said that, in the
interest of all mankind, developed countries should be sincere and
think clearly about what they want instead of playing tricks."
b. "Europe uses environmental protection as a diplomatic trump
card"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/10)(pg 7): "The Europeans seem to always
stand on their 'holy altar' whenever environmental protection or
climate change issues are discussed. A Chinese expert said that if
the EU would 'wear a green mask' it could retain its leadership and
benefit from the rest of the world's dependence on its technological
advantages. The expert noted, however, that since the current
climate situation is the result of European countries'
industrialization over the past 200 years, the Europeans should not
use environmental protection as a stick to swing at other countries.
Wu Yikang, the Director of the Shanghai European Studies Center,
argued that Europe feels its voice in global politics is weakening.
Without the United States' support, very few would want to hear what
Europe has to say about global issues. Europe is trying to compete
against the United States with regards to soft power, while at the
same time containing the development of China, India and other
developing countries. Jin Canrong, the Deputy Dean of the School of
International Studies at Renmin University, said that, in the face
of European pressure, China and other developing countries still in
the process of industrialization feel very uneasy. China should not
be expected to achieve economic growth and environmental goals all
in one go."
2. OBAMA'S NOBEL PRIZE
"Obama goes to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in embarrassment"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/10)(pg 1): "Obama's newly-outlined plan to
increase the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan has provided the
media with a chance to mock his receiving of the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Nobel Committee argued that Obama is bringing hope to the world;
however, there has not been any breakthrough on peace in Afghanistan
nor a reduction in the number of nuclear weapons held by the United
States and Russia. It is also very strange that all the judges on
the Nobel Committee have recently disappeared from public view.
Almost all media have sarcastically noted that a president of war is
receiving the award of peace. An AFP journalist said that Obama's
speech in accepting the Nobel Peace Prize will be the most
challenging of his political career, since he will need to convince
the world in just a few minutes that the U.S. war in Afghanistan is
just. American media worry that Obama's speech will not be enough
to stem global criticism and speculation."
3. AFGHANISTAN
"What can China do in Afghanistan?"
The official Xinhua News Agency international news publication
International Herald Leader (Guoji Xianqu Daobao)(12/10)(pg 10):
"Currently, based on China's diplomatic principles, it is impossible
for China to send troops to Afghanistan. However, to a certain
extent, helping the U.S. in Afghanistan is in China's interest.
First of all, the situation in Afghanistan is closely related to
China's national security. Second, China has large economic
interests in Afghanistan. Third, Afghanistan is growing in
strategic importance. Therefore, China should help Afghanistan, but
in a different way than Europe and the United States. China should
BEIJING 00003293 002 OF 002
focus on providing economic opportunities for and raising the living
standards of the Afghan people; cultivating China-Afghanistan
friendship; and supporting the Karzai government in its efforts to
promote reconciliation among the country's various parties."
HUNTSMAN