MEDIA REACTION: A/H1N1, CHINESE SPY, FINANCIAL CRISIS

UNCLAS BEIJING 001347 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: A/H1N1, CHINESE SPY, FINANCIAL CRISIS -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. A/H1N1 "The domestic increase of the A/H1N1 virus in Japan shocks neighboring countries" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(05/19): "Yesterday, Japan confirmed that the number of A/H1N1 cases in Japan has increased to 139. Both China and South Korea are shocked. Japan has rung the alarm for an A/H1N1 breakout. However, although Asia is nervous and the WHO is very busy, North America, the largest virus-affected area, looks very relaxed. Almost all American media reports the mild characteristics of the A/H1N1 virus. Chinese experts indicate that the Chinese people should prepare as the virus comes closer to China. Japan puts Asia at a higher risk. Japan has developed their social insurance and medical systems, but many Asian countries have not. Chinese experts also believe that the U.S. media seldom discusses the responsibility of the U.S. to control the virus. Chinese experts urge the U.S. to increase their exit controls in order to decrease the export of the virus to other countries. Experts also indicate that the prevention measures of the U.S. are slow and inadequate. The U.S. government is federal, requiring the coordination of the states which is time-consuming; they are not organized as China is, as a one government. The U.S. has advanced medical treatment available to deal with the virus. But it increases the burdens and difficulties of other countries in preventing the virus." ¶2. CHINESE SPY "Once again, the U.S. has fabricated a Chinese spy" Elite Reference (Qingnian Cankao),a newspaper affiliated to the official Communist Youth League China Youth Daily (05/19): "Recently, a Pentagon Official was sentenced for his involvement with a Chinese spy. The Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, Ma Zhao Xu, said during a press conference that these allegations against China are completely baseless. China doesn't conduct surveillance activities in the U.S. This insinuation reflects the ulterior motives of the U.S. China hopes that the U.S. can give up their Cold War mentality and stop accusing China without a foundation. The U.S. media and U.S. government often come up with accusations that China is actively collecting information about the U.S., but they have no concrete evidence. Who on earth is fabricating this Chinese spy case? First, the U.S. information circle will often create a Chinese spy when its own spying activities are revealed, such as the U.S.' activities in the South China and East Seas. Second, are their military hawks. Third, the U.S. is the business and technological opponent of China. Fourth, are the experts and 'brains' who make their living by fabricating Chinese spies." ¶3. FINANCIAL CRISIS "Obama says that the U.S. cannot only borrow money from China" Elite Reference (Qingnian Cankao),a newspaper affiliated to the official Communist Youth League China Youth Daily (05/19): "Recently, President Obama has suddenly changed topics. When he spoke during a meeting in New Mexico he said 'we cannot always borrow money from China.' However, for the Obama administration, who hopes to stimulate the economy with an economic stimulus plan, borrowing money from others countries, is still a viable way to solve the economic crisis. The thinking behind borrowing money is what will encourage the U.S. to reach out to China for more money. It is destined that the U.S. will live with debt because of the Bretton Woods system they adopted after World War II. Will the U.S. pay the interest on their borrowed money? Yes sure, but the U.S. does not lose money in the process. The profit that the U.S. makes with borrowed foreign assets is larger than the interest that the U.S. pays. The U.S. has a unique tool, that of the U.S. dollar's depreciation, by which it can offset a large part of its debt. Obama's concern shows that the U.S. government has a sober awareness of its debt. However, borrowing more money is still the resolution to the current economic crisis." WEINSTEIN