MEDIA REACTION: U.S. IN ASIA, U.S.-CHINA TRADE, U.S.

UNCLAS BEIJING 003043 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. IN ASIA, U.S.-CHINA TRADE, U.S. POLICY -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. U.S. IN ASIA "U.S. influence in Asia brings more benefit than harm" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(11/04)(pg 14): "The beneficial role played by the United States in maintaining local security and stability is irreplaceable in constructing a security mechanism for the East Asian community. The United States' presence in Asia will help to balance Japan by suppressing its impulse to become a political and military power, which has allowed the peaceful development of the Asian economy. The involvement of an external force is necessary in the absence of an effective regional security mechanism. The United States can also help to stabilize the situation on the Korean peninsula, and to contain the pro-independence forces in Taiwan. The U.S. does not want Taiwan to be independent, and thus uses the mainland to contain Taiwan but cannot let mainland take control. The U.S. also needs China's active participation on political, economic and security issues. But there are also negative influences. The U.S. has disguised its intention to contain China's rise since the U.S. is worried that China will become a potential threat. The United States also uses Taiwan to contain China. However, the United States' presence in Asia is more beneficial than harmful for China. Why should China exclude the United States from East Asia?" ¶2. U.S.-CHINA TRADE "We should get rid of dependence on trade" Guangdong 21st Century Publishing Company Ltd.'s business newspaper 21st Century Business Herald (21Shiji Jingji Baodao)(11/04)(pg 2): "Shortly after the U.S. and China agreed not to implement new protectionist measures at the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade in Hangzhou last week, the U.S. International Trade Commission started trade investigations on Chinese seamless steel pipes, which was perceived as a stab in the back by those who had expected decreased trade friction. Since Obama's healthcare plan has had a hard time in Congress, he has found it find difficult to suppress fear in the United States over trade with China. In fact, the downfall of the United States' economy and position as the world's economic leader will not come about through trade with China, but rather through profound ills in the U.S. financial and economic system and the U.S.'s democratic and foreign predatory politics. However, China's real concern is not increased trade frictions with other countries, but rather the depreciation of the U.S. dollar, which has led to a corresponding depreciation of the RMB. This depreciation will cause a rise in the price of imported goods and attract more 'hot money' into the market, creating more inflationary pressure, which needs to be avoided." ¶3. U.S. POLICY "U.S. media constantly challenging President Obama these days" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(11/04)(pg 1): "Obama, a President of idealism, has encountered great difficulties in international politics over various issues, including the quagmire in Afghanistan, the impasse in the Middle East, the deadlock over the Iran issue. Chinese expert Zhou Shijian said that Obama wants to continue to show the world his ideas for change for the future, but faced with a large number of difficult issues, his hesitation has brought more perplexity to the U.S. than at any time before. Is the U.S. facing a decline? Chinese expert Jin Canrong argued that this is not a decline, but rather just a difficult time for the United States. Pan Rui, a professor at Fudan University, said that the financial crisis, which has had a major impact on the West, has turned out to be a strategic opportunity for China. Mr. Zhou concluded that the greatest loss for the United States during this crisis has been that the world has lost faith in the Washington model and instead some have shifted their attention to China." HUNTSMAN