MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, NORTH KOREA, JUNE 4

UNCLAS BEIJING 001519

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, NORTH KOREA, JUNE 4
ANNIVERSARy

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Editorial Quotes
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1. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS

"The U.S. stimulates its economy, China needs to benefit as well"

The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(06/05): "Although the American economic
stimulus plan limits U.S. government procurements to American-made
products, the regulations also allow the U.S. to buy products from
countries that are a part of the GPA agreement of the WTO. China
has joined the GPA negotiations but is not yet a GPA member. At
this time, the U.S. government has a legal basis not to purchase
Chinese goods. China's 'government procurement law' has similar
rules to purchase native goods. The amount of Chinese goods in the
U.S. procurement market will not be influenced because, in the past,
it has not been large. China should step up their negotiations with
the GPA in order to enter the U.S. procurement market. However,
China lacks the sense to purchase only native goods; instead the
country tends to purchase foreign goods. If China were to also only
purchase native goods, the U.S. would become more worried than
China. The 'Illegal exclusion native goods' should be opposed in
China and government procurement should instead emphasize purchasing
native goods. China's endeavor to enter the GPA was inspired by
Obama's 'buy American' bill. China needs to request that other
countries are accepting of Chinese companies and their goods. This
will allow Chinese goods a share in other countries' government
procurement markets. China should use international law to compete
for the interests of the Chinese economy."


2. NORTH KOREA

"Are the U.S. and China opponents or friends on the North Korea
nuclear issue?"

The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(06/05): "Recently some in the international
society doubted China's role in the North Korean nuclear issue.
These people even think that the U.S. and China could become
opponents over the issue. However, the core conflict lies with the
relationship between the U.S. and North Korea. North Korea's
repeated mistrustful behavior has lost them the trust of the U.S.
China is the only recognized go-between negotiator for the U.S. and
North Korea. China is the necessary path to take if Washington
wants to look for a communication point with North Korea. Since
2003, China's role as the host of the Six-Party Talks has been
recognized by all parties. The talks have successfully resolved
obstacles for U.S.-North Korea relations. There are now bilateral
talks under a multilateral framework. Today, although there is noise
concerning China, the U.S. and the North Korea issue, the two
countries have common interests that bond them together. The U.S.
and China can only be friends and can never be opponents. Otherwise
the North Korea nuclear issue will not resolve and the peninsula
will not be security."


3. JUNE 4 ANNIVERSARIES

"Clinton's June 4 comments 'disregarded facts'"

The official English-language newspaper China Daily (06/05): "China
yesterday expressed deep dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's remarks on the 20th
anniversary of the events of June 4. "As to the political turmoil
and problems that happened in the late 1980s, the Communist Party of
China and the Chinese government have already made a clear
conclusion," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a regular
press conference in response to a question about a statement
released by Clinton on Wednesday. He said China had made great
advances in economic and social development since the country began
its reforms and opened up 30 years ago. Facts had proven that the
path of socialism with Chinese characteristics suited the national
conditions of China. The remarks from the U.S. disregarded the
facts and made random accusations against the Chinese government,
Qin said, adding that Clinton's comments violated basic norms
governing international relations and principles set forth in the
three China-U.S. joint communiqus and grossly interfered in China's
internal affairs.
"We urge the U.S. to put aside its political prejudices and correct
its wrong-doings so as to avoid interfering with and damaging
Sino-U.S. relations," Qin said."

PICCUTA