Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TOKYO2079
2006-04-18 02:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION US-CHINA RELATIONS - TOKYO
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002079
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR,
EAP/J, EAP/P, PM;
USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI;
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA;
CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE;
PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION US-CHINA RELATIONS - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged
reports concerning surging oil prices in London and New
York, with crude oil futures hitting 71 USD a barrel in
London and 70 USD in New York.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002079
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR,
EAP/J, EAP/P, PM;
USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI;
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA;
CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE;
PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION US-CHINA RELATIONS - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged
reports concerning surging oil prices in London and New
York, with crude oil futures hitting 71 USD a barrel in
London and 70 USD in New York.
1. Three major dailies gave inside-page coverage to
President Hu's visit to the US. There were no immediate
editorials or commentaries.
2. "Beijing Trying to Prevent Trade Friction from
Escalating Before Hu's Talks With Bush" The Beijing and
Washington correspondents of the liberal Asahi commented
(4/18): "Beijing is eager to prevent US-China trade
friction from escalating ahead of President Hu's talks
with President Bush Thursday. The Chinese government is
reviewing its monetary system and protections for
intellectual property rights in an attempt to head off
rising sentiment in the US, particularly in Congress, in
favor of sanctions on China, whose trade surplus with the
US exceeded 200 billion USD last year. With a mid-term
election in November, the Bush administration is placing
high expectations on more concrete trade developments at
the Bush-Hu meeting."
3. "Can US and China Build a New Era of Relations?"
Correspondent Nishioka of the liberal Mainichi observed
(4/18): "Chinese President Hu will make a formal visit to
the US starting on Tuesday. At his talks with President
Bush at the White House on Thursday, the two leaders are
expected to discuss a wide range of concerns, including
bilateral trade friction, Taiwan, and the North Korean
and Iranian nuclear issues. It is likely that they will
conduct a dialogue that will lead to a new era of
relations between China, the world's largest and fastest-
developing nation, and the US, the sole superpower."
4. "How Will Beijing Ease US Concerns over Trade
Imbalance, Arms Buildup, and Human Rights Abuses?"
Beijing correspondent Ito of the conservative Sankei
commented (4/18): "During President Hu's visit to the US
from Tuesday through Friday, he will meet with President
Bush and speak at Yale University. A senior Chinese
Foreign Ministry official reportedly said that during his
stay in the US, Hu will promote a constructive strategic
partnership with the US by trying to reduce sources of
bilateral friction, including the trade imbalance, and
demonstrating a cooperative stance on the Iran and North
Korea issues. Attention is focusing on the extent to
which the Chinese president will be able to ease deep-
rooted US concern over China's economic expansion and its
arms buildup."
5. "At Odds over US Treatment of President Hu" Sankei's
Washington correspondent Arimoto commented (4/18): "The
US and China were at odds over how the White House would
treat Chinese President Hu during his visit to the US.
White House press secretary McClellan made clear that the
White House had designated this a 'formal' visit, thus
meaning that there would be no dinner held at the White
House in Hu's honor. The US move may reflect delicate US-
China relations over human rights and other issues, even
though bilateral economic ties are deepening."
6. "A 'Souvenir' for Bush" Quasi-governmental NHK-TV's
commentator Hayashi observed (4/18): "Before President
Hu's visit to the US, Beijing sent a mission of more than
200 Chinese officials to AMERICA to purchase 80
commercial aircraft. The mission has reportedly concluded
TOKYO 00002079 002 OF 002
an agreement to purchase US industrial and other products
worth 16 billion USD. Beijing has also agreed to resume
US beef imports. Hu will take these trade accords to
President Bush as a 'souvenir' in the hopes of making
their talks a success and to demonstrate a new
cooperative relationship with the US. The improvement of
China's relations with the US would strengthen Hu's
political base at home."
SCHIEFFER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR,
EAP/J, EAP/P, PM;
USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI;
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA;
CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE;
PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION US-CHINA RELATIONS - TOKYO
LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged
reports concerning surging oil prices in London and New
York, with crude oil futures hitting 71 USD a barrel in
London and 70 USD in New York.
1. Three major dailies gave inside-page coverage to
President Hu's visit to the US. There were no immediate
editorials or commentaries.
2. "Beijing Trying to Prevent Trade Friction from
Escalating Before Hu's Talks With Bush" The Beijing and
Washington correspondents of the liberal Asahi commented
(4/18): "Beijing is eager to prevent US-China trade
friction from escalating ahead of President Hu's talks
with President Bush Thursday. The Chinese government is
reviewing its monetary system and protections for
intellectual property rights in an attempt to head off
rising sentiment in the US, particularly in Congress, in
favor of sanctions on China, whose trade surplus with the
US exceeded 200 billion USD last year. With a mid-term
election in November, the Bush administration is placing
high expectations on more concrete trade developments at
the Bush-Hu meeting."
3. "Can US and China Build a New Era of Relations?"
Correspondent Nishioka of the liberal Mainichi observed
(4/18): "Chinese President Hu will make a formal visit to
the US starting on Tuesday. At his talks with President
Bush at the White House on Thursday, the two leaders are
expected to discuss a wide range of concerns, including
bilateral trade friction, Taiwan, and the North Korean
and Iranian nuclear issues. It is likely that they will
conduct a dialogue that will lead to a new era of
relations between China, the world's largest and fastest-
developing nation, and the US, the sole superpower."
4. "How Will Beijing Ease US Concerns over Trade
Imbalance, Arms Buildup, and Human Rights Abuses?"
Beijing correspondent Ito of the conservative Sankei
commented (4/18): "During President Hu's visit to the US
from Tuesday through Friday, he will meet with President
Bush and speak at Yale University. A senior Chinese
Foreign Ministry official reportedly said that during his
stay in the US, Hu will promote a constructive strategic
partnership with the US by trying to reduce sources of
bilateral friction, including the trade imbalance, and
demonstrating a cooperative stance on the Iran and North
Korea issues. Attention is focusing on the extent to
which the Chinese president will be able to ease deep-
rooted US concern over China's economic expansion and its
arms buildup."
5. "At Odds over US Treatment of President Hu" Sankei's
Washington correspondent Arimoto commented (4/18): "The
US and China were at odds over how the White House would
treat Chinese President Hu during his visit to the US.
White House press secretary McClellan made clear that the
White House had designated this a 'formal' visit, thus
meaning that there would be no dinner held at the White
House in Hu's honor. The US move may reflect delicate US-
China relations over human rights and other issues, even
though bilateral economic ties are deepening."
6. "A 'Souvenir' for Bush" Quasi-governmental NHK-TV's
commentator Hayashi observed (4/18): "Before President
Hu's visit to the US, Beijing sent a mission of more than
200 Chinese officials to AMERICA to purchase 80
commercial aircraft. The mission has reportedly concluded
TOKYO 00002079 002 OF 002
an agreement to purchase US industrial and other products
worth 16 billion USD. Beijing has also agreed to resume
US beef imports. Hu will take these trade accords to
President Bush as a 'souvenir' in the hopes of making
their talks a success and to demonstrate a new
cooperative relationship with the US. The improvement of
China's relations with the US would strengthen Hu's
political base at home."
SCHIEFFER