MEDIA REACTION: U.S. - CHINA RELATIONS, INTERNET

UNCLAS BEIJING 001814

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, INTERNET
CENSORSHIP

--------------
Editorial Quotes
--------------


1. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS

"Why the West puts 'spy' tag on China?"

English-language daily published by Global Times/Huanqiu Shibao, the
international edition of the People's Daily (07/01): "For years some
Western politicians and media have accused China of spying with the
goal of gaining advanced technology secrets. U.S. Representative
Mark Kirk said the Chinese sought to legitimize 'the stealing of an
intellectual property' related to energy efficiency and climate
change. Such an accusation is completely ungrounded. The
accusation of 'stealing' as well as other charges of China's
'espionage activities,' reflects the West's anxiety toward China's
rising status. In a time when developed countries have been
severely weakened by the financial crisis, the steady growth of
China and other emerging economies has stimulated fear in western
politicians and media."


2. INTERNET CENSORSHIP

a."China postpones installing Green Dam"

The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(07/01): "
"The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information has declared that
the installation of the Green Dam software will be postponed. They
did this because some manufacturers expressed that this large-scale
installation requires a lot of extra work. Their time is very tight
and they are not yet ready. The software was originally designed
with the good intention to protect juveniles from pornographic
content on the internet. However, installing the software was
instantly politicized by foreign media and opinions. The ministry
responded to the criticisms saying that the software does not
monitor netizens and citizens are not forced to install it. Chinese
experts indicate that the freedom that netizens enjoy on the
internet also increases the difficulties in internet control. The
west also experiences controversies concerning issues arising from
the control of the internet. The west's opposition to Green Dam is
a test to see if they can influence China through their opposition
to internet censorship.
The west has internationalized China's internet censorship."


b."The politicization of the network becomes a global topic"

The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(07/01):
"It seems that internet conflicts have intensified and that the
ideological advantages of the U.S. have been fully played. During
each conflict, developing countries take a passive position. A
Chinese expert said that this time, the U.S. has found a battlefield
where it has the advantage. However, playing up certain issues over
the internet won't arouse any hostility when it directly interferes
in the affairs of other countries. The internet is still a new thing
in many developing countries. The west's standard for freedom of
speech on the internet creates a gap with the transformational
characteristics of these countries while they were developing. The
west is trying to use the measure to pressure developing countries'
politics. Chinese experts further indicate that the conflict
concerning the internet is a conflict concerning the national
interests between countries. The internet's influence can be just
as well as destructive. Different strengths are equal in front of
the internet. The west has an advanced political civilization,
therefore it less vulnerable to attack. In this field, the
consequences of the internet's influence are not equal. Besides, it
is very difficult for the governments of developing countries
directly transition from physical isolation to a very open internet.
The internet isn't yet safe enough, there is not guaranteed safety
on the internet."

GOLDBERG