MEDIA REACTION: S&ED, U.S. BACK IN SOUTHEAST ASIA,

UNCLAS BEIJING 002152 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 PREL ECON KMDR CH SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: S&ED, U.S. BACK IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, CHINESE-RUSSIAN SECURITY COOPERATION -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. S&ED "The U.S.'s hospitality to China surprised the world" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao) (07/28): "The opening of the S&ED that the U.S. held for China was like a 'millennium wedding' for the two countries. However, Niu Xinchun, a researcher at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, argued that China should remain clear-minded. Yes, the two countries can't live without each other but neither one is more dependent on the other. China needs to be cautious as the U.S. may 'seek practical gains through superficial etiquette.' Qian Liwei, an expert at the same institute, said the S&ED is the first comprehensive engagement with China since Obama took office and its mission is to lay the framework for government-to-government communications; therefore, specific issues will not be discussed. Wu Xinbo, Deputy Director at the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, argued that China is in an advantageous position this time and should raise its concerns and requests. The U.S. may want to change China into the second Japan and we should see through this tactic." ¶2. U.S. BACK IN SOUTHEAST ASIA "The U.S. is 'back' - what should China do?" The official Xinhua News Agency international news publication International Herald Leader (Guoji Xianqu Daobao) (07/28): "Although China's influence in Southeast Asia has already overpowered that of the United States, Southeast Asian nations still have deep concerns about China, and it is very difficult for China to eliminate these concerns. The reason China can come to Southeast Asia is because it has abandoned ideology and put collaboration and economic development first. However, many people in the region are worried about Southeast Asia's over-dependence on Chinese investment. China needs to avoid thinking that money can resolve everything and, instead, put itself in the shoes of Southeast Asian nations. China must recognize that there are more strategic risks than before and it will never be an 'easy stroll along.'" ¶3. CHINESE-RUSSIAN SECURITY COOPERATION "Defense security cooperation and building a harmonious world" The official intellectual publication Guangming Daily (Guangming Ribao) (07/28): "Peng Guangqian, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Committee for National Security Policy Studies, said one of the achievements of the recent joint Chinese-Russian military exercises was that the amount of time needed to prepare for the exercises was significantly reduced. The purpose for China and Russia in holding the joint exercise was to consolidate and strengthen their bilateral strategic partnership as well as to fight terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Both China and Russia are advocates of peace and no force can stop them from working together to preserve peace in the region and the world. The biggest danger is not a lack of capacity to meet crises, but rather a lack of awareness about crises. Combat operations can be avoided and this is the fundamental purpose of the military drill." GOLDBERG