MEDIA REACTION: U.S. POLITICS, U.S.-CHINA TIRE CASE,

UNCLAS BEIJING 002584 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: U.S. POLITICS, U.S.-CHINA TIRE CASE, CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. U.S. POLITICS "Obama's popularity plummets; is the Democratic Party repeating its defeat?" Guangdong 21st Century Publishing Company Ltd.'s business newspaper 21st Century Business Herald (21Shiji Jingji Baodao)(09/09): "Obama's healthcare reform plan has been in a very dangerous situation. On the reform plan, considered to be the core content of a series of domestic policy reforms, Obama is losing supporters. No president with a support rate lower than 40% can expect to successfully launch a healthcare reform plan with far-reaching influence. The ups and downs of Obama's support rate clearly show the shift within independent voters without clear party inclinations. A support rate below 50% shows that Obama's firm base, who last year voted him into office, is also wavering. Obama, who played the public relations card to bolster his authority, is losing steam. Regarding the coming congressional election and Obama's re-election in three years time, the Democrats are seriously concerned about the loss of these supporters. Unless he can demonstrate a real ability to govern the country, it will be hard for the Democrats to avoid repeating Bill Clinton's (health care) 'Waterloo' 15 years ago." ¶2. U.S.-CHINA TIRE CASE "Better techniques needed to lobby the U.S." The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(09/09): "In order to cut or even prevent losses, China's tire exporters - in addition to needing the Rubber Industry Association's help - need to actively lobby the relevant parties in the U.S. to earn their support, especially when the U.S. has such an experienced hand in international trade cases. China, as the country most accountable for the U.S. trade deficit along with Western countries' China stereotypes, will undoubtedly be involved in trade disputes now and in the future. China should focus on improving its ability to repel these cases and use its lobbying skills to protect itself. For the tire case, China should go to well-known, reputable and influential American importers. In this way, when sanctions happen, China's 'stakeholders' will speak for China. Chinese companies should also begin a public relations campaign speaking to ordinary American people about China's stance and their possible unemployment should sanctioning take effect. China needs to earn the support of ordinary American people. What's more, China should be ready to compromise. Long-lasting trade conflicts will harm both sides." ¶3. CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS "History between Chinese Communist Party and Democratic Party of Japan" Guangdong 21st Century Publishing Company Ltd.'s business newspaper 21st Century Business Herald (21Shiji Jingji Baodao)(09/09): "Wang Shaopu, Director of Japanese studies center at Shanghai Academy of Social Science, said that the Democratic Party of Japan has historically developed relations with the Chinese Communist Party because it absorbed a lot of left-wing party members. However, some of its members, on some issues, work in extremes. After the DPJ takes office, Sino-Japan relations will still be uncertain. Wang Xinsheng, professor on Japan's history at Peking University, said that Ichiro Ozawa, the former DPJ president, advocated leading Japan to be a normalized country through a competitive two-party system. This meant getting away from U.S. control, being independent and able to issue Japan's own voice. This is a good thing for China. Some experts worry that many DPJ politicians, including Yukio Hatoyama, are more supportive of a Western-style human rights concepts than Liberal Democratic Party politicians, which could be a future destabilizing factor in Sino-Japanese relations. Mr. Wang believes that, though uncertainties exist, the DPJ will maintain relations with the CCP after it takes office." HUNTSMAN