MEDIA REACTION: REACTION TO STEINBERG CNAS SPEECH, MYANMAR,

UNCLAS BEIJING 002979 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: REACTION TO STEINBERG CNAS SPEECH, MYANMAR, EAST ASIAN COMMUNITY -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. REACTION TO STEINBERG CNAS SPEECH "Seizing the opportunity of U.S.-China 'strategic reassurance'" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(10/26)(pg 14): "U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg recently (September 24 in a speech at the Center for a New American Security) described the future of U.S.-China relations in terms of 'strategic reassurance.' Reassurance means looking for a new foundation for strategic balance and admitting that the past foundation was not concrete, a problem for which the U.S. is primarily responsible. The emphasis on reassurance means that we do not support some of the United States' traditional views on China. First, the U.S. believes that its strategic goals are clear while China's are obscure. China is not opposed to 'strategic transparency' and doubts the U.S.'s logic. Second, Steinberg's theory does not mention the differences between the political systems in the U.S. and China. The two countries cannot build 'reassurance' based on the idea that 'Western democracy is superior.' Third, in his foreign policy, Obama has promoted 'universal' values. China must avoid such a value system and instead emphasize its own values. Steinberg's theory indicates that the U.S. has started seriously considering the long-term prospects for U.S.-China relations. The upcoming high-level meetings between the two countries may start substantive strategic dialogue and end the history of suspicious diplomatic games." ¶2. MYANMAR "The United States to compete with China for influence on Myanmar" Elite Reference (Qingnian Cankao),a newspaper affiliated to the official Communist Youth League China Youth Daily (10/27) (pg 4): "The Obama administration's adjustment in its policy towards Myanmar is meant to consolidate the U.S.'s dominant position in Southeast Asia and prevent East Asian countries from tilting towards China, thus containing the rise of China. China has a strong influence on its neighboring countries, such as Myanmar, North Korea and Pakistan. The U.S. has recently expanded its contacts with these countries in an attempt to weaken China's influence. The military government in Myanmar is also actively seeking to improve relations with the U.S. in order to maintain its power in the future. However, the divergence of views between the U.S. and Myanmar over democratization and human rights has contributed to a very low degree of trust between the two countries. In addition, there is still a lot of opposition in the United States and its allies to the removal of sanctions on Myanmar. Thus, there is still a long way to go for the improvement of U.S.-Myanmar relations." ¶3. EAST ASIAN COMMUNITY "The East Asian Community might be Asia-Pacific-oriented" Guangdong 21st Century Publishing Company Ltd.'s business newspaper 21st Century Business Herald (21Shiji Jingji Baodao)(10/27)(pg 1): "As long as the United States respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries and changes its Cold War mentality of 'containment,' a number of major Asian countries are expected to take a 'moderate' and 'non-insulated' attitude towards U.S. participation in the East Asian Community. If the East Asian Community accepts the United States, the organization will likely become 'Asia-Pacific-oriented.' Independent management without specific leadership is the most suitable development model for the East Asian Community, where China, Japan, and South Korea on the one hand and ASEAN on the other have created a balanced momentum. Asian foreign exchange reserves now increasing rely on China's rapidly growing supply capability. Japan's dream of leading an Asian IMF will continue to be stymied." HUNTSMAN