MEDIA REACTION: COPENHAGEN CLIMATE CONFERENCE, OBAMA'S

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003293 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 SENV KGHG KMDR OPRC CH SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: COPENHAGEN CLIMATE CONFERENCE, OBAMA'S NOBEL PRIZE, AFGHANISTAN -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. COPENHAGEN CLIMATE CONFERENCE a. "In Copenhagen, a Chinese official is refused entry three times" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/10)(pg 16): "For the past two days, Chinese delegates at the Copenhagen climate conference have directly criticized the United States, Europe and Japan. Su Wei, the chief negotiator for the Chinese delegation, said that developed countries, given their 200 years of industrialization, should be accountable for today's climate changes. A secret 'Denmark deal' has been reached, irritating developing countries and throwing the conference into chaos. The disputes between the two camps (developing countries vs. developed countries) have intensified. Developing countries believe the Denmark deal is a betrayal, depriving them of their right to fairly participate in the climate change issue. According to Australian media, the Secretariat of the conference and the government of Denmark have both denied the existence of such a deal. A Chinese expert said that, in the interest of all mankind, developed countries should be sincere and think clearly about what they want instead of playing tricks." b. "Europe uses environmental protection as a diplomatic trump card" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/10)(pg 7): "The Europeans seem to always stand on their 'holy altar' whenever environmental protection or climate change issues are discussed. A Chinese expert said that if the EU would 'wear a green mask' it could retain its leadership and benefit from the rest of the world's dependence on its technological advantages. The expert noted, however, that since the current climate situation is the result of European countries' industrialization over the past 200 years, the Europeans should not use environmental protection as a stick to swing at other countries. Wu Yikang, the Director of the Shanghai European Studies Center, argued that Europe feels its voice in global politics is weakening. Without the United States' support, very few would want to hear what Europe has to say about global issues. Europe is trying to compete against the United States with regards to soft power, while at the same time containing the development of China, India and other developing countries. Jin Canrong, the Deputy Dean of the School of International Studies at Renmin University, said that, in the face of European pressure, China and other developing countries still in the process of industrialization feel very uneasy. China should not be expected to achieve economic growth and environmental goals all in one go." ¶2. OBAMA'S NOBEL PRIZE "Obama goes to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in embarrassment" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/10)(pg 1): "Obama's newly-outlined plan to increase the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan has provided the media with a chance to mock his receiving of the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee argued that Obama is bringing hope to the world; however, there has not been any breakthrough on peace in Afghanistan nor a reduction in the number of nuclear weapons held by the United States and Russia. It is also very strange that all the judges on the Nobel Committee have recently disappeared from public view. Almost all media have sarcastically noted that a president of war is receiving the award of peace. An AFP journalist said that Obama's speech in accepting the Nobel Peace Prize will be the most challenging of his political career, since he will need to convince the world in just a few minutes that the U.S. war in Afghanistan is just. American media worry that Obama's speech will not be enough to stem global criticism and speculation." ¶3. AFGHANISTAN "What can China do in Afghanistan?" The official Xinhua News Agency international news publication International Herald Leader (Guoji Xianqu Daobao)(12/10)(pg 10): "Currently, based on China's diplomatic principles, it is impossible for China to send troops to Afghanistan. However, to a certain extent, helping the U.S. in Afghanistan is in China's interest. First of all, the situation in Afghanistan is closely related to China's national security. Second, China has large economic interests in Afghanistan. Third, Afghanistan is growing in strategic importance. Therefore, China should help Afghanistan, but in a different way than Europe and the United States. China should BEIJING 00003293 002 OF 002 focus on providing economic opportunities for and raising the living standards of the Afghan people; cultivating China-Afghanistan friendship; and supporting the Karzai government in its efforts to promote reconciliation among the country's various parties." HUNTSMAN