MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA MILITARY RELATIONS, NORTH KOREA,

UNCLAS BEIJING 002958 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.-CHINA MILITARY RELATIONS, NORTH KOREA, IRAN -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. U.S.-CHINA MILITARY RELATIONS "Increasing trust, eliminating doubts, and friendly cooperation" The official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao) (10/24)(pg 3): "Major General Qian Lihua, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office at the Ministry of National Defense, said that since President Obama took office several U.S. military delegations have been sent to China for discussions on military exchanges. However, so far, these visits have been one-way engagements. The U.S. has shown sincerity in improving China-U.S. military ties and China appreciates this. Whether or not this positive trend can be maintained steadily over the long term depends on the U.S.'s attitude towards China's core interests, like the Taiwan issue, which will be an important political foundation for the development of bilateral military relations. This is a test and both the U.S. and China should seize the opportunity and meet the challenge to ensure the healthy and stable development of bilateral military relations. As for the military transparency issue, Qian said that transparency on 'strategic intentions' is the most important aspect of military transparency, and China's strategic intentions are completely transparent. The degree of transparency is also based on mutual military trust. The Chinese government has always paid a close attention to military transparency." ¶2. NORTH KOREA "Will there be a shift in U.S.-North Korea relations?" The official Communist Party People's Daily Overseas Edition(Renmin Ribao Haiwaiban)(10/26)(pg 8): "U.S. policy on North Korea is always changing since the Obama administration does not believe North Korea will give up its nuclear programs. It may be possible to create an opportunity for the U.S. and North Korea to meet at the Northeast Asia Cooperation Dialogue forum to prepare for possible bilateral talks. The U.S. and North Korea have had quite different focuses with regard to possible bilateral talks. It remains to be seen whether or not the forum can achieve positive results. On Northeast Asia issues, China will insist that all parties respect each other's core interests and will support U.S.-North Korea bilateral talks to increase mutual trust and understanding. The Six-Party Talks are still in the interest of Northeast Asian nations and the most important framework to resolve the impasse in the region." ¶3. IRAN "Iran defends its 'nuclear rights' by retreating" The official Xinhua News Agency international news publication International Herald Leader (Guoji Xianqu Daobao) (10/26)(pg 6): "The international negotiations [over Iran's nuclear program], although occasionally seeing positive signs, have not touched on the crucial issues, like Iran's suspension of its uranium enrichment activities. Experts believe that there is still a long way to go. The series of positive moves made by Iran recently are seen by some as an advance strategy of 'retreat'; Iran has not made any promises on any of the crucial issues. Therefore, even if Iran agrees to accept [IAEA Director General Mohammed] El-Baradei's nuclear fuel deal, there will still not be any breakthrough on the Iranian nuclear issue." HUNTSMAN