MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, FINANCIAL CRISIS

UNCLAS BEIJING 004525 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: OPRC KMDR CH SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, FINANCIAL CRISIS -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS a. "The U.S. voices 'emphasizing China' have suddenly increased" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/12): "The U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued its last review on foreign exchange rate policy before the close of the Bush Administration. In this report, China has not been listed as a country that manipulates its exchange rate. Analysts think that China is not listed because the present administration would like to avoid creating difficulties for the new government. Therefore, the Bush Administration avoided offending China before leaving the White House. At the same time, the U.S. media has increasingly voiced the fact that it believes the U.S. and China are coming closer. The world setup is complicated. China is a new player in this game of chess whose foundation is not yet stable. China needs to listen to other country's evaluations of itself. The recent positive comments by the U.S. on China are much better than the recent negative French comments about China. However, Chinese analysts are concerned about how long the U.S.-China relationship will be coming closer and closer, and how far the relationship will go." b. "The U.S. relationship with China enters a time when it is like a 'man in his 30s'" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/12): "It is interesting to look at the Development of U.S.-China relations, since the establishment, from the perspective of American Think-tanks. Looking deeply at the Think-tank's reports over the last three decades, one can see the gradual maturity of the U.S. Government's policies on China. Compared to the U.S. think-tanks' opinions on China in 1980s and 1990s, 'the theory of a complicated China' in 21st century reflects the passion, confusion and caution usually seen in men nearing the age of 30. This mentality leads to more issues between the two countries that must be dealt with in the next 10 years. It is therefore hoped that the bilateral relationship will be more mature in the next 10 years." ¶2. FINANCIAL CRISIS "China is not yet capable of influencing the World" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/12): "The current U.S. financial crisis provides China an opportunity. China needs to make use of this opportunity to enlarge its international influence. It's important for China to correctly recognize and use the current opportunity. China needs to have an appropriate evaluation on it's strength and position. The most urgent task for China is not enlarging its international influence, but to solve problems in its own international and sustainable development. What's more, China needs to correctly recognize the U.S. situation and direction. The U.S. is facing an adjustment, but will not decline. Furthermore, China should be aware of how newly-rising countries transfer their strength into influence, making use of the opportunities. ...China should gradually expand its influence into the international society through the international system. Based on the principle of consistent duties and rights, China will bear more international responsibility and require more rights for its own opinions at the same time." PICCUTA