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

UNCLAS BEIJING 000021 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 SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, JAPAN -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. U.S. DEPLOMACY "Obama runs 'family politics' very well" The official Xinhua News Agency international news publication International Herald Leader (Guoji Xianqu Daobao)(01/06): "Caroline Kennedy has become the most capable candidate for the New York Senate seat left by future Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. This news reflects the fact that the Obama administration has been influenced by 'family politics'. In fact, Obama's success in the Democratic primary was been closely credited to the Kennedys. Compared to other politicians who play at 'family politics' Obama is very effective. With one Senate seat, he has successfully restricted two Democratic families. Analysts have criticized Obama for utilizing 'family politics' and therefore, disappointing his grassroots supporters. However, 'family politics' are deeply traditional in American politics. It would be unusual for Obama to be able to resist them. The U.S. has the least feudal tradition among Western countries. What's more, the U.S. constitution doesn't authorize any hereditary peerage. But in recent years, 'family politics' and 'hereditary politics' have become the trend in Washington. Obama seems to be an exception of this trend, but who knows, he might be the beginning of the next political family." ¶2. JAPAN "Japan provokes oil conflicts in the East China Sea" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(01/06): "Chinese experts indicate that the conflict over oil in the East China Sea has negatively influenced the China-Japan relationship. Japan should refrain from bringing this issue up again. Chinese analysts indicate that the relationship has greatly improved in the past two years. This gas-oil field conflict should not cause a setback. During the U.S. power transition, Japan needs to maintain a good U.S.-Japan relationship. Thus Japan needs to have good relations with its neighbor countries. Japan's criticism is baseless. It is easy to prove false. The current relationship between China and Japan is unprecedentedly complicated. The two governments should make a larger effort to promote their relationship, avoiding vicious exaggeration in reporting." RANDT