MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA MILITARY RELATIONS, BRIC SUMMIT,

UNCLAS BEIJING 001659

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 MILITARY RELATIONS, BRIC SUMMIT,
IRAN

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Editorial Quotes
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1. U.S.-CHINA MILITARY RELATIONS

"U.S. and China need to regulate their behavior in the South China
Sea"

The official Xinhua News Agency international news publication
International Herald Leader (Guoji Xianqu Daobao) (06/18):
"Technically speaking, the 'intimate contact' between the U.S.
destroyer's sonar and a Chinese submarine has posed a severe threat
to the underwater travel of Chinese submarines. To a certain extent
it shows the increase in the frequency of activity by the U.S. and
Chinese navy. In recent years the U.S. and Chinese navies have only
made a small step forward. How to set up and improve communication
and coordination and build trust on the sea within the international
legal framework is still a long-term issue both countries need to
face and resolve. If the U.S. doesn't give up arms sales to Taiwan
and besiegement strategy on China, the courtesy mutual military
ship's visit and sea rescue drill will still have limited role in
improving U.S.-China mutual trust and avoiding frictions. As a
powerful country outside the South China Sea region, to protect the
regional peace and stability, the U.S. needs to abide by
international law and China's law, ceasing illegal military
exploration activities at China's water territory."


2. BRIC SUMMIT

"BRIC countries plan the new blueprint of the multilateral world"

The Shanghai-based Shanghai Media Group (SMG) publication, China
Business News (Diyi Caijing)(06/18): "Although the meeting has not
achieved the results people expected, it already directly challenged
the traditional international order. The joint statement issued
after the meeting expressed the intention of the emerging economies
to adjust the world pattern. Another expert from the Chinese
International Issues Research Foundation said the multilateral
cooperation the U.S. is pursuing is not complete multilateralism, it
is selective. He also said the BRIC countries will have more say on
pursuing the multilateral world. Another expert from the Chinese
Academy of Social Science said Obama has been forced by reality to
adjust American diplomatic policy and the financial crisis will
likely be a turning point. A Chinese expert from Renmin University
said that the four countries have two things in common: all are
newly-emerging economies and all are big countries. However, they
also have great divergences in many aspects. He also commented that
as a new model of multilateral international order if the BRIC
meeting can be held every year regularly undoubtedly it will
increase the voice of BRIC countries in international negotiations.
He thinks the BRIC meeting will be institutionalized but he does not
think the BRIC countries will form an alliance."


3. IRAN

"Rarely seen chaos tests Iran's power"

The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(06/18): "Whether or not this rarely seen
chaos can be finally pacified will become an important test of
Iran's political system. The collision of religion and democracy in
Iran may even influence the whole Middle-East situation. The Obama
administration is wisely chosen to watch in a cautious manner
because Obama knows clearly that once the U.S. steps in conflicts
among Iranian parties will become a conflict between the pro and
anti-U.S. camps. Anti-U.S. sentiment will be aroused and will not
be good for Iran's reform group. Another Chinese expert also
commented that the chaos is internal systematic chaos. It will last
and will not cause a new revolution. Iran will not change 'color.'
The election result shows that Iran's tough conservative leadership
does not change. The marginalized reform group has developed from
dissatisfaction to indignation, causing chaos. The chaos is also
directly related to Ahmadinejad. His four-years in office has
caused social separation in Iran."

PICCUTA