MEDIA REACTION: SECRETARY CLINTON IN AFRICA, U.S.-CHINA,

UNCLAS BEIJING 002262 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: PREL ECON KMDR OPRC CH SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: SECRETARY CLINTON IN AFRICA, U.S.-CHINA, NORTH KOREA -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. SECRETARY CLINTON IN AFRICA "Hillary Clinton's Africa visit did not meet her ambitions" The Shanghai-based Shanghai Media Group (SMG) publication, China Business News (Diyi Caijing) (08/07): "In the twenty-first century, the United States needs Africa more than Africa needs the United States. The U.S. not only needs Africa's natural resources and energy, but also Africa's political support. African leaders understand this. The U.S. cannot improve its relations with African countries unless its policies lead to tangible results. However, the U.S. economy is facing many challenges due to the financial crisis. Under these circumstances, it is difficult for the U.S. to take substantive measures to promote economic and social development in Africa. Hillary Clinton's Africa visit had a more symbolic than practical meaning." ¶2. U.S.-CHINA "The U.S. and India want to use Nepal to attack China" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao) (08/07): "Under the current circumstances, claiming [the U.S. and India want to use Nepal to attack China] might seem a little too farfetched, but it is not entirely groundless. It reflects the U.S.-India strategy to contain China by using Nepal. India regards itself as the 'boss' of South Asia. It has been using its religious and economic advantages to contain other countries in the region, and asked Nepal to sign an unequal transit transportation agreement. India regards China as a huge potential threat. Nepal's geographic position is very important to both China and India. Therefore, since the Communist Party of Nepal gained power, India's concerns about Nepal's pro-China policy have risen. Now is the prime time for separatist forces in China and international anti-China forces to plot together against China. China should be vigilant against this phenomenon." ¶3. NORTH KOREA "Kim Jong Il smiled but Bill Clinton did not" Elite Reference (Qingnian Cankao),a newspaper affiliated with the official Communist Youth League's China Youth Daily (08/07): "The likelihood of an interaction between North Korea and the U.S. is still unclear. The two countries have different expectations, and the tensions between them have not been fundamentally eased. If both parties cannot approach future bilateral relations from a strategic point of view, the accumulated hostility between the two countries' governments and their peoples will lead U.S.-North Korean relations into a cycle of 'confrontation - crisis - negotiation - cooperation - confrontation.' North Korea is in a passive position in the bilateral interaction. For the United States, the situation on the Korean Peninsula is still within its control and will not pose a significant threat to its core interests. Therefore, the U.S. will not easily agree to North Korea's requests. We cannot rule out the possibility of a resumption of the Six-Party Talks if North Korea decides to return to the Talks. After all, with its multilateral nature, the Six-Party Talks is a good mechanism for North Korea to achieve its interests. Bill Clinton's visit to North Korea is still significant. First, it showed that there is still room for North Korea and the U.S. to improve their bilateral relations. The diplomatic and mediation channels needed to address the issues between the two countries are still there. Second, the U.S. achieved a tangible result while the North Koreans saved face. Third, by conducting 'former president diplomacy' and 'people's diplomacy,' the U.S. showed us that senior politicians, in their private capacity, can play an important role in breaking an impasse and achieving a magic outcome. It also showed that the Obama administration is really good at the use of smart power." GOLDBERG