MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, CHINA'S INFORMATION

UNCLAS BEIJING 001196 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.-CHINA RELATIONS, CHINA'S INFORMATION TRANSPARENCY -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS a. "China won't worry a smarter U.S." The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(05/05): "During the first 100 days of Obama's administration, the diplomacy of the U.S. has become smarter. This is the 'smart power' emphasized by the Obama administration. Smiling, listening, and handshaking have begun to change the previously negative images of the U.S. such as unilateral, bellicose and arrogant. It is questionable whether the increasing influence of the U.S. equals the falling influence of China. China should look at this issue from the perspective of peaceful development, and not from a competitive angle. The U.S. is not exactly China's enemy. A stable U.S. is good for China. A good international environment is beneficial for China's development and is the most important thing for China. China's increasing international influence depends on its peaceful development. China is not worried that other countries are becoming smarter. However, the diplomatic changes in the U.S. will absolutely impact China's interests, bringing new challenges to China." b. "Bring an end to the west's hegemonic point of view" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(05/05)"Western civilization has advantages and disadvantages. The biggest shortcoming is egoism. Some westerners believe that the end of human kind, the final stages of our development, is the western model. However, any ideology or religion, in its extreme form, will become fundamentalism. Iceland going bankrupt and the serious financial crisis taking place in the U.S. are examples proving that the western system still has room for improvement. The Chinese advocate the concept of 'harmony and neutrality.' This is not simple compromise, but 'a search for common ground while accepting existing difference.' This concept has helped China avoid long religious wars common to Europe. For the last 30 years, China has been rapidly rising because they have been less extreme, reasonable, and neutral. The west believes in a philosophy of confrontation, while China likes a philosophy of harmony. As globalization spreads, issues requiring global coordination are increasing. However, divisions between rich countries and poor countries, powerful countries and weak countries, different religions and different civilizations haven't yet disappeared. It is western democratic fundamentalism that has caused these divisions. China needs to influence the world with its concept of 'harmony and neutrality' and 'a search for common ground while accepting existing differences' so that divisions can be removed and peace and prosperity can be achieved in the world." ¶2. CHINA'S INFORMATION TRANSPARENCY "The government owes the public more information" Global Times English (English-language daily published by the People's Daily)(05/05): "On May 1 of last year, the government released the Regulation of the People's Republic of China on Open Government Information, which intends to grant media more rights to publicize formerly 'sensitive' government news. This regulation unfortunately is vaguer than it should be. The restriction has resulted in the bizarre phenomenon of 'importing' domestic news: Chinese media picks up national news broken by overseas organizations first. To be informed by foreign news media of what is happening on our own soil is disgraceful and sad. Foreign media, either because of prejudice or the limited information available to them, often churn out unbalanced coverage, or even distort the facts to fuel public interest. Government restriction over information flow has also sent a troubling signal to media so that media outlets often impose strict self-censorship on sensitive topics. Chinese media hasn't been given the chance to fully play its role. Hiding information is impossible in today's world. It only leads to rumor and speculation, a result that the government wants to see least. Chinese media should be granted wider access to government information as it faces much more sophisticated foreign competitors. Let the media do its job." PICCUTA