VZCZCXRO0312
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH
DE RUEHBJ #0351 0410903
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 100903Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8055
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS BEIJING 000351
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, IRAN
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Editorial Quotes
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1. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS
a. "Be vigilant about being pushed to the opposition side of the
world by the U.S."
The People's Daily-sponsored and internationally-focused commercial
news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(02/10)(pg 14): "In
2010, Sino-U.S. relations are undergoing a substantial change, which
is: the U.S. no longer treats China as the 'potential' largest,
strategic opponent, instead, [the U.S. treats China as] a real
opponent. The United States started to do more than talk in dealing
with China, now [it deals with China] in a more disguised way and a
delicate manner. The point is that the United States is
intentionally pushing China to the opposition side of the world and
trying to transform the Sino-U.S. confrontation into [a larger
issue] -- a confrontation between China and the world. Along with
China's rise, the United States feels China's strategic strength is
threatening. However, because of the following facts, the United
States has to be tolerant with China: the United States
strategically relies on China on global issues such as its rescuing
measures during the economic crisis, support in the War on Terror,
cooperation with Iran and North Korea and the climate change issue.
Besides, China's development has integrated into global development,
so that if the U.S. contains China, it will also harm itself. China
should take the opportunity to showcase China's positive image to
the world, which is consistent with China's interests and which will
transform the U.S. influence into positive rather than negative
factors."
b. "Can Washington save Sino-U.S. relations by following the example
of 'panda diplomacy?'"
The Shanghai-based Shanghai Media Group (SMG) publication, China
Business News (Diyi Caijing)(02/10)(pg A5): "Some diplomatic experts
said that Washington showed a sign of friendship to China by sending
the popular giant pandas back to China in a high-profile exchange,
which follows the example of 'panda diplomacy' from three decades
ago, in an attempt to ease tensions between the two countries. The
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for public affairs, Crowley said
that the giant panda is a tangible sign of cooperation for the two
competitive countries. The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for
East Asia affairs Kurt Cambell also said that currently, the most
appropriate description for Sino-U.S. relations is, not hot nor
cold, but is very complicated. Many experts believe that despite
the 'coldness' that Sino-U.S. relations have been going through at
the beginning of this year, the stable foundation of the bilateral
relations will not be shaken because both sides will uphold the
principle of utility to resolve the issue. Cornell University's
history professor Chen Jian said, 'We do not think that Obama will
hold a confrontational position concerning Sino-U.S. relations.
Currently, China and the U.S. are not having principled conflicts.
China is a stakeholder of the United States. China and the United
States are fundamentally in the same boat.'"
2. IRAN
"Iran and the West: Don't even think about kidnapping China"
The People's Daily-sponsored and internationally-focused commercial
news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(02/10)(pg 14):
"Because Iran and the West have been hostile to each other for
decades they have lost each other's trust. For many years, the West
has easily and continuously threatened Iran using sanctions, which
have not solved the problem but only intensified rancor and
speculation between the two. This is a problem that the West must
seriously consider. They both believe that if they are tough, the
other will eventually give in. Impractically, they both believe
that if they apply enough pressure to China, that in this
confrontation, China will choose their side. China does not deny
the existence of its interests in Iran. Meanwhile, China advocates
the balance between the power countries' interests concerning
regional issues. Therefore, no one can kidnap China with either of
these objectives. They should be clear that China's own national
interests outweigh the interests of any other country. Whoever
forces China in a more coercive way will be more likely to be
refused by China. Both sides should compromise to further avoid
escalating this confrontation. There were even voices in the West
advocating the isolation of China through the Iran issue. When
dealing with a big country like China, any one, who intends to
coerce it or harm it, will pay the price."
HUNTSMAN