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

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Editorial Quotes
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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