MEDIA REACTION: U.S. POLICY, ENVIRONMENT

UNCLAS BEIJING 003498 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: U.S. POLICY, ENVIRONMENT -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. U.S. POLICY ¶A. "It is no harm to cheer for U.S. healthcare reform" The international news commercial publication of the People's Daily, Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/30)(pg 14): "U.S. President Obama has sent a wonderful Christmas gift to 46 million Americans who cannot afford health care. It really deserves our congratulations. Obama holds high the banner of healthcare reform for the benefit of more poor people. In the face of the financial crisis, the adverse situation it created, the resistance of numerous vested interests and the Republicans, Obama's healthcare reform bill was passed by the U.S. Senate and House, which was really not that easy. Obama's 'health care for all' plan has finally come true. It reflects the U.S. government's 'sense of fairness,' which is well worth recognizing. We do not need to worry about where the money for health care reform comes from and what we need is to take good care of our own money bag. The U.S. government's proactive actions have no doubt provided a mirror for China's health care reform. The United States' healthcare reform, in essence, is a competition between government's fairness and the market's efficiency. It is also a 'political struggle' between ideology and values." ¶B. "If a foreigner violates the law, s/he must be punished like an ordinary Chinese people" The international news commercial publication of the People's Daily, Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/30)(pg 14): "Akmal Shaikh, who was executed yesterday for drug smuggling, is not the first foreigner punished according to Chinese law and will not be the last. Chinese judicial authorities and the public are obviously not prepared for the rapid increase in the number of crimes conducted by foreign nationals. The Akmal case is a vivid legal lesson for Chinese people as they will see for themselves that all are equal before the law. After all, foreigners, when breaking the law in China, must be treated in strict accordance with China's legal procedures. Whether foreigners who break the law will be treated the same as Chinese people is a matter of justice. Chinese law can only be credible to the Chinese people and the world by upholding fairness, equality, standards and justice." ¶2. ENVIRONMENT "Copenhagen's ladder over the wall" Guangdong 21st Century Publishing Company Ltd.'s business newspaper, 21st Century Business Herald (21Shiji Jingji Baodao)(12/30)(pg 3):"Developed countries could refuse to re-confirm emission reduction targets with the excuse that the 'Copenhagen Agreement' is not a legal binding treaty. They could also use the four technical loopholes in emissions accounting method to avoid responsibility. Yang Fuqiang, WWF's Director of Global Climate Solutions, said January 31st will be the real litmus test for developed countries and we will be able to see whether or not they are actively promoting global climate negotiations. Yang also noted that due to all kinds of loopholes in developed countries' emission reduction commitments made at the Copenhagen Conference, the agreement which will be reached in the future faces the risk of failure." GOLDBERG