VZCZCXRO1465
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH
DE RUEHBJ #0021 0060847
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 060847Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7515
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS BEIJING 000021
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: U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, WAR ON TERROR, NORTH
KOREA
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Editorial Quotes
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1. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS
"Many U.S. think tanks predict Sino-U.S. frictions"
The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(01/06)(pg 16): "In regard to the Eurasia
Group's report that Sino-U.S. relations are likely to worsen and
become the biggest geo-political risk this year, Professor Jin
Canrong at Renmin University's Institute of International Relations
said that the world is stepping away from the impact of the
international financial crisis and entering the post-crisis era, in
which countries would be much more likely to fight against each
other through their competition over economic interests. The Obama
administration's political status has declined in the U.S., its
strength to resist protectionism is also weakened. However, we do
not need to exaggerate the impact of Sino-U.S. trade frictions, it
is just tributary (meaning: not a major problem in U.S.-Sino
relations). However China should stay wary of the possible moves by
the U.S. Zhou Shijian, Senior Researcher at Tsinghua University's
Sino-U.S. Research Center said that if the United States insists on
wrestling with China, that we, China, also have many cards in our
hands. For example, we can take countermeasures to fight back
against the U.S., one of which would be implementing countervailing
measures on U.S agricultural products. As Chairman Mao once said,
'If we fight for unity, then unity survives; if we compromise for
unity, then unity dies.' China has become the world's top exporter;
the troubles faced by China will certainly increase, for instance,
not only the pressure from the West, but also trade frictions with
developing countries, such as Latin America. It is unlikely that the
West will unite with each other to fight against China since all the
countries are inclined to fight for their own interests. Therefore,
any trade friction will be a one-on-one confrontation, not a
showdown."
2. WAR ON TERROR
"The United States faces the challenge of 'fighting terrorism on
multiple fronts'"
The official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao)(01/06)(pg
3): "Since Obama took office, the counterterrorism policy of the
U.S. has been constantly adjusted and the focus has been on Pakistan
and Afghanistan. But the Christmas Day terror plot will probably
change U.S. counterterrorism strategy throughout the world. First,
the U.S. needs to increase anti-terror forces in Yemen, which has
become the new place where international terror activities
originate. Second, the U.S. once again faces the challenge of
fighting terrorism on multiple fronts. Terrorism forces in the
Middle East, Central Africa, South Asia, Central Asia and Southeast
Asia have all shown the rising trends. The old strategy of the U.S.
which focuses on combating terrorism in South Asia is no longer
appropriate for the new international situation. Thus the Christmas
Day terror plot may even affect international counterterrorism
efforts."
3. NORTH KOREA
"The situation on the Korean Peninsula will hopefully change for the
better"
The official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao)(01/06)(pg
3): "Piao Jianyi, the Director of the Center of Korean Peninsula
Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, argues that since
last August, after former U.S. President Bill Clinton's visit, the
situation on the Korean Peninsula has begun to thaw. From what
signals have been sent by the DPRK and South Korea thus far, in 2010
relations between the two will take a turn for the better. The year
of 2010 is a crucial year for North Korea since it believes that
only a stable North-South Korean relationship will benefit the
denuclearization process and economic exchanges on the Korean
Peninsula in 2010. At this point, one can see that there is a
general trend towards resuming the Six-Party Talks. At present, all
parties are making more efforts to promote the resumption of the
talks and have made certain progress."
GOLDBERG