MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, ISRAEL

UNCLAS BEIJING 004702 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, ISRAEL -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS a. "The U.S.-China relationship is the greatest attempt in all of history" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/31): "In the past 30 years, the U.S.-China relationship has become the most important bilateral relationship in the World. This relationship is an example of a peaceful coexistence to the entire world. The relationship shows that two different ideologies, and frequent sources of confrontation, does not necessarily mean that ONE side must win over another side, or that the rising of a newly emerging country does not necessarily indicate the decline of an 'old-power' country. On the contrary, the joining hands of these two countries will be a powerful driver for the World's prosperity. The development of U.S.-China relations can be described as an experiment and a test. First, this is a great attempt at the peaceful coexistence of different ideologies; second, within the same international system, this is a great attempt at the peaceful coexistence of a newly-emerging country and an 'old power' country. Third, the development of the relationship has provided a new model to developing and developed countries on how cooperation between the two can help solve the World's issues. What will be the theme in the 21 century? The answer greatly depends on what the U.S.-China relationship looks like." b. "Better Sino-U.S. ties are in both nations' interest" Tao Wenzhao, a researcher with the Institute of American Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, commented on the official English-language newspaper China Daily (12/31): "Bilateral ties between China and the United States have developed over the past 30 years along a generally tortuous but "forward moving" road. ...As the World's largest developing and developed countries, China and the U.S. should value the hard-won fruits in bilateral ties and do their utmost to press ahead with the momentum of their healthy development. The two nations should first have enough respect for each other's concerns, especially concerns over their core interests. ... The continued U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation and arms sales to the island will forever hang like Damocles' Sword over a final settlement of the vexed Taiwan question. At the same time, the U.S. should also handle the Tibet issue in a cautious manner, as it is also ONE that relates to China's core national interest. ...To push forward bilateral development, the two countries should continue to enhance mutual trust. ...Also, the two countries should strengthen mutual coordination on major international and regional issues. ... It is believed that bilateral ties will move toward a higher plateau with efforts from both sides." ¶2. ISRAEL "Israel is making an unpreventable mess in the Middle East" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/31): "Any buildings that represent the strength of Hamas in the Gaza strip have been destroyed by the Israelis. The prediction that an all-out war in the Middle East is going to happen has circled around the region. International media has become more sentimental about the chaos criticizing Bush's policy that favors Israel, the European congress who honors Israel, the Arabian politicians and Hamas leaders. International media indicates that the recent conflict has made the situation more complicated and difficult. A former U.S. Secretary of State opined, 'the Israel - Palestine issue is an issue that is likely un-resolvable.' Arabian media has condemned Israel's violence and discussed the unified actions of Arabian countries and the West's ignorance of the Gaza disaster. Voice of American reported that most of analysts believe that finding a resolution for the Middle East issue will be a hard task for Obama." RANDT