MEDIA REACTION: U.S. POLICY, A(H1N1),U.S.-CHINA ECONOMIC

UNCLAS BEIJING 001189 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: U.S. POLICY, A(H1N1),U.S.-CHINA ECONOMIC RELATIONS, CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. U.S. POLICY Quote: "There is strength in Obama's soft-style diplomacy" The official Xinhua News Agency international news publication International Herald Leader (Guoji Xianqu Daobao)(05/04): "It's time to make some conclusions concerning Obama's diplomacy during his first 100 days. Obama advocates "smart power diplomacy." However, soft power is a more accurate term to describe his diplomacy. Subtleness is not the main characteristic of his diplomacy, instead it is soft power. Obama has made friendly gestures toward both allied and enemy countries. Some have criticized him, stating that his diplomacy lacks principle. In fact, his soft power diplomacy is not the whole picture. The U.S. has learned to "seek common ground while accepting existing divergences" on the Iran, China, and Russia issues. In fact the Obama administration never forgets to bring requests to other countries. For example, the U.S. requested more coordination from Iran on the Afghanistan issue." ¶2. A(H1N1) "Mexico should not complain about China" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(05/04): "The WHO has prepared to upgrade the threat level to 6. The Mexican Foreign Minister has given an improper speech about China. He said this because China isolated all the Mexican citizens who took a flight to China from Mexico that included one person who has a confirmed case of the flu. The Mexican Foreign Minister has suggested that Mexican citizens should not travel to China. Chinese experts maintain that isolation is a normal measure taken to prevent the spread of a virus and not a prejudicial act against Mexicans. Mexico has forgotten that China is the first country, after the epidemic broke out, to send resources and assistance to Mexico. 80% of the Chinese netizens oppose the Mexican Foreign Minister's speech. The U.S., Japan and several European countries have taken strict isolation measures as well but they are not receiving criticism. Because China has a large and very mobile population, China should not relax its vigilance against the A(H1N1) virus. The Chinese and the Mexicans obviously have different opinions on the influence of the disease. Because of the SARS experience during 2003, China has already had to work out the most effective prevention measures." ¶3. U.S.-CHINA ECONOMIC RELATIONS "U.S.-China economies are closely linked, they will play a duet" Economic Observer (Jingji Guanchabao),a weekly insightful economic newspaper (05/04): "The key to the U.S. and Chinese economies retaining their balance is that their currency must be changed. This doesn't mean that the U.S. dollar will deteriorate; the result is actually the opposite. When the RMB joins the global economy, the future relationship between the U.S. dollar and the RMB will be more intimately connected. This subtle change will promote the economy of China and the U.S., it will help them retain their balance and further promote the global economy. The most important component in this balance is the attitude of the E.U., Japan, India and many other countries. Are they willing to listen to this duet?" ¶4. CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS "Sino-Japan ties must step out of U.S. shadow" Global Times English (English-language daily published by the People's Daily)(05/04): "For too long, the U.S.' 'divide and rule' tactics in East Asia succeeded in widening the distance between China and Japan. Both China and Japan should be aware of the agenda of the U.S. in East Asia and seek to prevent China-Japan relations from being obstructed by the U.S. As the global financial crisis undermines the attraction of the Western model, many people turn their eyes to the East." PICCUTA