MEDIA REACTION: OBAMA'S VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001492

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: OBAMA'S VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST,
U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, GEITHNER'S VISIT

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Editorial Quotes
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1. OBAMA'S VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST

"The U.S. lowers its position; this is beneficial for world peace"

The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(06/03): "On June 2nd, Obama began his first
trip to the Middle East. His major goal is to reach a friendly hand
to the Islamic world. People can see that lowering himself and
making efforts to improve relations with the Islamic world have been
the two largest changes in Obama's Foreign Affairs policy. However,
his Middle East strategy does not largely drift from the U.S.' usual
Middle East strategy. Obama is trying to bring more balance to the
situation in the region. U.S. relations with Islamic world have
been influenced by its own domestic politics. To make the U.S.
Middle East policy work depends on how much Obama can balance the
domestic political strengths of the U.S."


2. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS

a. "What does the G2 mean to the U.S.?"

The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(06/03): "Recent and frequent visits to China
by American officials seem to be convincing evidence that the U.S.
and China have deepened their reliance on each other. In fact, many
Chinese analysts have a misunderstanding concerning the meaning of
the G2. The U.S. doesn't have any intention to share their global
control with China. However, in most circumstances, because they
are motivated by practical interests, some believe that the emphasis
put on the G2 concept by Americans is the result of their
recognition that the position of the U.S. is declining. However, it
is the opposite. Obama has already emphasized the importance of
U.S. leadership. The fact that he took office represents their
importance. Many American officials don't pay much emphasis to the
G2 idea. There are various versions of the G2 concept. The version
by Kissinger, indicating that U.S.-China relations should not just
benefit from each other but also be devoted to building up the new
world order, is broader and more complete than other versions in its
significance. It fits the long-term interests of the two countries.
President Obama, on the one hand, emphasizes U.S. leadership, while
on the other hand, promotes the reform of the economic system.
However, he can hardly fulfill the two at the same time. Obama's
China policy is not yet stable under these circumstances."

b. "Seeking harmony with China is not necessarily a regular U.S.
policy"

The official Xinhua News Agency international news publication
International Herald Leader (Guoji Xianqu Daobao) (06/03): "The
modest and friendly impression given by Geithner during his visit
hardly resembles his earlier comments concerning China's exchange
rate manipulation. The U.S. needs China. They are watching China's
performance to see if China will satisfy their demands. These
factors will decide how long the U.S. stance on China will be
sustained. The U.S.-China bilateral relationship is the most
important relationship. However, China needs to not only reply to
calls from the U.S., but it must also be concerned about its own
national interests. The U.S. should not bring forward unreasonable
requests to China. After Obama took office, the relations have
surpassed two hurdles, first the weird downward slide of the
U.S.-China relations whenever elections are held and second,
surpassed expectations for continuing the positive side of the
relationship and moving it forward."


3. GEITHNER'S VISIT

"Friends during difficult times are real friends"

The official Xinhua News Agency international news publication
International Herald Leader (Guoji Xianqu Daobao)(06/03): "Friends
during difficult times are real friends. When Secretary Geithner
visited China, his second title was the Special envoy of the
President of the United States. Although Obama hasn't visited
China, the visit by a Presidential envoy proves that Geithner's
visit has the backing of the country. Geithner brought promises
that relieved China's concerns. But the promises are also aimed at
exchanging policies. The U.S. hopes that China will increase its
holding of American bonds. In the short-term, Geithner's visit
hopes to gain more capital from China; and in the long-term, it
shows Obama's way to resolve crisis. The U.S. realizes its high
reliance on other countries and makes efforts to maintain it. The
U.S. must protect other country's interests like it protects its
own. Geithner's promises to China show that the U.S. is at least
aware of this."

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