MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, U.S. POLICY, A/H1N1

UNCLAS BEIJING 001376 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, U.S. POLICY, A/H1N1 -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS "Hacking military computers 'not a hack job'" The official English-language newspaper China Daily (05/21): "There is no way hackers - including those from China - can access top-secret data by penetrating the firewalls of military or government networks. The US military is picking on China because it wants to make its claims appear more plausible. The Former Director of [China's] National Computer Network Emergency Response Team said that there is no scientific basis to blame either China's military or the government for hacking other nations' networks because most of them are "out of reach." The foreign media, quoting insiders in overseas intelligence services, have recently claimed that hackers, who appeared to be based in China, had repeatedly infiltrated military networks and government computers in more than 100 countries. "If there had been cases of key intelligence being stolen, I believe there would have been undercover agents within the organizations facilitating the theft. You cannot simply do it with computer technology," he said." ¶2. U.S. POLICY "Stop the duplicity and give China a break" The official English-language newspaper China Daily (05/21): "The term "group of two" or (G2, that is, the U.S. and China) is the subject of debate because the two countries have the greatest influence on international affairs, and have the ability to help the world emerge out of the economic crisis. But the aspects that deserve greater attention are the responsibility the two countries show in facing global threats, presenting ideals, and leading the rest of the world pursuing those ideals. What Obama means by a nuclear-free world is a peaceful and safe world. Hu's goal is clear: long term peace and common prosperity. To realize their goals, the two countries have to communicate and cooperate to the maximum level, for if they fail to do so, their ideas will prove to be utopian. We need mutual respect, have to treat each other as equals, and respect the right of a nation to choose its social system and development mode. In short, countries should be "harmonious but different". ¶3. A/H1N1 "Transparency key to anti-virus battle" Global Times English (English-language daily published by the People's Daily) (05/21): "According to foreign reports, under pressure from Japan, Britain, China and other nations, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided not to raise the alert level from the current phase 5 to phase 6, which would mean a global outbreak is " imminent. " One of our reporters contacted China's Ministry of Health hoping to confirm the story but was rebuffed by an official. Why aren't official departments more open on releasing this information? Why can't the Chinese people learn critical information from the Chinese media? Why must Chinese media receive such information from the foreign media rather than from our own government? But as efforts to contain the virus drag on, Chinese people need more details, both about domestic and international developments. Providing a greater level of transparency on information critical to the welfare of citizens goes a long way in building social stability and mutual trust between governments and the people in any country. In China, we need such mutual trust to help us overcome the H1N1 virus." WEINSTEIN