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

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Editorial Quotes
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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