MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, CHINA'S SPACE POLICY

UNCLAS BEIJING 003071 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 RELATIONS, CHINA'S SPACE POLICY -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS a. "Barack Obama's visit to China cannot avoid the 'trade protection' embarrassment" The Shanghai-based Shanghai Media Group (SMG) publication, China Business News (Diyi Caijing)(11/09)(pg A4): "The U.S. recently launched a series of attacks against products 'Made-in-China' and therefore trade friction is becoming a common practice between the two countries. The Chinese Consular of Commerce He Weiwen said in New York that Obama's stance where he enhances bilateral trade exchanges and opposes trade protectionism is only a strategic idea, which will not influence the increasing frictions. The ups and downs in the relationship will last for at least six months to a year. Experts indicate that in the short term the frictions will intensify. Although both senior-level officials have emphasized trade exchanges and communication, the microeconomic industries are influenced by economic rules and the increasing unemployment rate in the United States, therefore China's exports to the U.S. will continue to be influenced. China thinks that the U.S. is returning to protectionism and hopes that the U.S. will not launch trade law '421 provision' which will impose special protection tariffs on Chinese products. China is concerned that this provision would be widely used on more-and-more Chinese products." b. "China will not lower its head to the U.S. because of the upcoming summit" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(11/09)(pg 1): "The U.S. government's behavior, collecting heavy tariffs on Chinese oil wells, has brought U.S.-China trade frictions to a new height. Obama, who tried to please domestic voters, hasn't considered the Chinese people's feelings. The Chinese Commerce Ministry's countervailing investigation on the American Car Industry was completely different from actions in the past. China would normally try to avoid any conflicts before the leader's visit. A Global Times poll revealed that Chinese netizens do not hold much hope for Obama's visit. The Chinese expert Yuan Peng said that China doesn't need to lower its stance because of Obama's visit. Compared with when former President Clinton visited China, the Chinese people have become more rational and patriotic. They have a more comprehensive view about the United States. Trade frictions are in fact the voice of American interest groups, aiming at gaining more benefit through pressuring the Chinese government during Obama's visit. Meanwhile, the behavior of the U.S. ignites confrontation to certain extent, between the two countries' people." ¶2. CHINA'S SPACE POLICY "China calls for 'harmonious airspace'" Saturday, November 7 The Beijing-based newspaper sponsored by official intellectual publication Guangming Daily and Guangdong Provincial official publication Nanfang Daily The Beijing News (Xin Jing Bao)(11/09)(pg A06): "An international military forum marking the 60th founding anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) air force closed on November 7th. The forum, which focused on peace and development closed with consensus on increased cooperation when tackling challenges in airspace. PLA Air Force Commander Gen. Xu Qiliang called for peaceful and harmonious use of the space and air by the world's air forces. Xu called on the different countries' air forces to enhance cooperation, exchanges and mutual trust in order to ensure mutual safety. The two air forces should reach consensus on issues concerning safety in both space and territorial airspace and to improve international laws and regulations, he said. He also called attention to the environmental protection issues to organize and build a friendly and green airspace environment. Military experts indicate that currently there are two branches in airspace capability development: building space troops and space war theories; and seeking to peacefully use outer space's capability. Together with other countries, China is making efforts on the second branch. President Hu Jintao's speech on the forum shows that China is determined to always walk the road towards peaceful development and insists on a defensive national policy." HUNTSMAN