MEDIA REACTION: NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, TIRE TRADE, U.S.-CHINA

UNCLAS BEIJING 002746 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: NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, TIRE TRADE, U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT "The U.S. and UK actively promote 'a world free of nuclear weapons'" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(09/24)(pg 16): "According to a recent poll, the Chinese people have serious doubts about the attitudes of the U.S. and the UK on disarmament. China does not need to participate in this process. Some scholars believe that China should not follow the U.S.'s lead, and should instead continue to develop nuclear weapons. However, other scholars believe that eliminating nuclear weapons will ultimately benefit China. Shi Xiamin, an expert on nuclear non-proliferation, said that major Western countries are currently promoting nuclear disarmament out of practical considerations, so that, for example, Russia will temporarily not threaten the West. Western powers are also concerned that small countries will use nuclear weapons irresponsibly. If disarmament is not done reasonably, then it will be unfair. Professor Li Daguang at the National Defense University argued that since the U.S. has an absolute advantage in terms of its conventional weapons capabilities, nuclear weapons have become a big threat for the U.S. This is the real reason why the U.S. is promoting nuclear disarmament." "Obama's proposal is only the first step towards a nuclear weapons-free world" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(09/24)(pg 14): "Obama's proposal of 'a world free of nuclear weapons' could be a turning point in the history of nuclear weapons. However, it is difficult to gain the world's trust in such a short period of time and there are still many uncertainties. The U.S. and Russia are still global, nuclear superpowers, and denuclearization will be a long process since it is difficult to build up mutual trust. Denuclearization will also greatly influence China, which has in fact experienced more rewards than risks from the nuclear weapons it possesses. However, in the long run, a world free of nuclear weapons will be beneficial for China since the area neighboring China faces a serious risk of nuclear proliferation. China will make efforts to promote the denuclearization process, but will only destroy its last nuclear weapon when the U.S. and Russia destroy theirs." ¶2. TIRE TRADE "President Hu raised 'four points'; Obama responded to tire friction" Guangdong 21st Century Publishing Company Ltd.'s business newspaper 21st Century Business Herald (21Shiji Jingji Baodao) (09/24)(pg 3): "In his meeting with Obama, President Hu Jintao raised four issues: first, maintaining close, high-level exchanges between the U.S. and China; second, continuing to work on the issues discussed at this year's S&ED; third, deepening cooperation on major international and regional issues; and fourth, strengthening cultural and educational exchanges. When compared to their first meeting in London, the content of the talks between the two leaders shows a trend towards addressing more tangible issues. China directly warned the U.S. concerning the tire trade issue. In his response, Obama downplayed the issue, indicating that he wants to keep the dispute within certain parameters. " ¶3. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS "U.S. accuses former Air Force Lieutenant Colonel of selling information to China" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(09/24)(pg 3): "Doctor Zhao Guojun at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences' International Studies Research Center said that as China's strength increases the West increasingly sees China as its main intelligence target overseas. However, the truth and value of so-called classified information has been generally ignored. In fact, the U.S. is the country that most actively spies on others, and yet it still likes to accuse other countries of these activities and has a double standard on this issue. This fact has been largely ignored due to China's low-profile style and weaker voice relative to the U.S. in the international community." HUNTSMAN