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

UNCLAS BEIJING 001025 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 PREL ECON SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: MILITARY, U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. MILITARY "U.S. conventional military strength ranks NO.1 in the world; Obama is not silly or naove" Elite Reference (Qingnian Cankao),a newspaper affiliated with the official Communist Youth League's China Youth Daily (04/17): "On April the 5th, the U.S. President, during his speech in Prague, said that the U.S. will promote a nuclear weapons free world. This proposal reflects the democrat's belief, however, it contradicts with the current nuclear strategies of the U.S. This is a part of Obama's propaganda campaign as well as a clear signal of the new 'Obamaism'. This big military strategy change will bring significantly and positively influence control over global nuclear and military situations. However, Obama's suggestion may not be good for world peace. Once major countries destroy their nuclear weapons, America's conventional military strength will become more outstanding in the world, which is obviously not good for global peace. Therefore, the world is waiting expectantly to see whether or not the U.S. is willing to reduce its conventional military strength accordingly. Furthermore, the differences between nuclear weapons and conventional weapons will become more unclear. Therefore, a 'nuclear-free' proposal can't solve all these issues. The most urgent issue for the U.S. is 'how to gain the trust of the world?' There have been some suggestions. First, America could pay more attention to the role of multilateral and international regulation and adjust its unilateral global strategy. Second, the U.S. could bear more international obligations. Third, the U.S. could focus on the accurate implementations of soft power and gradually get rid of it's over dependence on hard power, including its military strength. Fourthly, the U.S. could observe and solve global issues from the perspective of its power limitations rather than its advantages." ¶2. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS "[Editorial] U.S. should abolish the Taiwan Relations Act" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(04/17): "This Act has always been a "stumbling block" for the stable development of U.S.-China relations, eliciting distrust between the two countries. Since cross-straits relations have improved and U.S.-China relations have entered into a stable stage, the Taiwan Relations Act should be abolished. The establishment of this Act has left potential troubles. U.S. never stops selling arms to Taiwan under this Act. The Act also reflects the two-sides of America's China policy. On the one side, the U.S. Congress always restrains the China policy made by the American administrative authorities, while, on the other side the administrative authorities utilize this Act to conduct its containment strategies under the cover of Taiwan issues. The U.S. has indulged the "Taiwan independence" trend. Moreover, this Act poses a serious threat to the peace, safety, and stability in the West Pacific region. The more benefits that the arms merchants can get the more dangers it may bring. U.S.-China relations have become one of the most important bilateral relations in the world and the future global peace and development will greatly rely on the strategic coordination between China and the U.S. The Taiwan Relations Act is not in the interests of both the Chinese and the American people." Weinstein