MEDIA REACTION: GRAIN WEAPON, GLOBALIZATION, A(H1N1),

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001271 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: GRAIN WEAPON, GLOBALIZATION, A(H1N1), EARTHQUAKE ANNIVERSARY -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. GRAIN WEAPON "What should China use to defend itself against the American's grain weapons?" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(05/12): "The U.S. is the only country that has bonded grain, energy, finance, military, diplomacy and values together into its global strategy. The U.S. is capable of implementing this strategy. China's current strategies are still unable to coordinate with each other. China's strategic ability is still limited to self defense. However, the Americans, through strategy, are able to conduct aggressive campaigns in every corner and field of the world. Besides grain assistance, liberalized grain trade, and grain subsidies, the U.S. now also has biological energy as the fourth means to control grain prices. The U.S. is the only country in the world capable of holding the point at which the world grain supply and demand are balanced. Biological energy is a convenient tool with which to influence this balance. The Chinese peasants' role in their society is like a soldier without a gun. Unfortunately, their role in providing grain security and sovereignty are not properly recognized by society. Grain is strategic in nature. The multi-functions of grain and agriculture are important. It is fortunate that ' grain stabilizing ' is one of the most important issues, among several rural issues, targeted by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China." ¶2. GLOBALIZATION "The economic crisis is not the crisis of globalization" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(05/12): "The problem that globalization is experiencing is not globalization itself but its leader, the U.S. The global crisis is not the crisis of globalization. In fact, globalization is moving forward at a steady and firm pace. The current economic crisis has disintegrated the Americans' ambition. In the future, the U.S. and its western partners will no longer be the main promoter of globalization. The new round of globalization will be more democratic. It will bring benefits to a majority of countries, including those who were forgotten by earlier globalization. Encouraging domestic demand will not decrease China's connections with globalization. China should be the leader of this new type of globalization." ¶3. A(H1N1) "China directly faces the challenges of the A(H1N1) virus" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(05/12): "On May 11th, the WHO announced the first case of A(H1N1) in mainland China. This case came directly from the U.S. Whether China will be able to control the spread of the virus through the country will be a severe challenge. Other countries have also experienced the stubbornness and repetition of this virus. The world positively evaluates China's reaction. A poll released that 60% of Chinese netizens believe that the flu prevention measures will influence their lives. Chinese experts indicate that because the virus spreads quickly, it is still unknown whether we will be able to relax before the summer. Since the internet has enabled people to receive information more easily, currently there is more risk for panic than in the past. However, the Chinese government has the advantage of strong administrative power. Normal economic manufacturing and social lives will not be influenced." ¶4. EARTHQUAKE ANNIVERSARY "China is not afraid of huge disasters, they are afraid of 'not thinking clearly'" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(05/12): "Wu Jian Min [Chinese diplomat and former Ambassador to France]: the past 'belief that class warfare is the essential issue' has influenced many Chinese people's philosophy. Historically, China encountered major setbacks because it wasn't 'thinking clearly.' In dealing with international relations, the alternative to confrontation is peace, development and cooperation. Between the U.S. and China, common views are larger than divergences, according to President Hu Jintao. China should not have enemies and is unwilling to have enemies. The current crisis is not a conspiracy for China. President Hu Jintao mentioned on the earlier financial summit that China is willing to join hands with the world to pass this hard time together. In BEIJING 00001271 002 OF 002 dealing with the crisis, China should not only focus on their current interests, but also their long term interests. China should take the chance to realize its transformation in economic growth and development. China should combine patriotic thinking with internationalism. We should not only consider the interests of our own country but also the interests of the world. If the interests of the world are fulfilled, then our own interests are guaranteed. It is still too early to say that China will surpass the U.S. In individual quality, psychological maturity, China can't compare with the U.S. yet. China needs friends. However, the psychologies described in the book Unhappy China can only make enemies." WASHINGTON