MEDIA REACTION: SECRETARY CLINTON'S VISIT, TAIWAN

UNCLAS BEIJING 000458

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: OPRC KMDR CH

SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: SECRETARY CLINTON'S VISIT, TAIWAN

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Editorial Quotes
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1. SECRETARY CLINTON'S VISIT

a. "The bottom line and the height of Secretary Clinton's 'trial'
visit"

The official Xinhua News Agency international news publication
International Herald Leader (Guoji Xianqu Daobao)(02/23): "In view
of the continuous efforts by the Bush administration on these
issues; people believe that Secretary Clinton's visit to China will
further improve U.S.-China diplomatic relations. The core issue of
her visit was whether or not the U.S. and China would be able to
find the space to cooperate on major issues concerning their central
interests. It is the common view that the bilateral relations are
important. But among the various important issues, the selection of
which to emphasize will make a difference. How Secretary Clinton
will coordinate these issues in the Department of State will also
influence the height of U.S.-China relations in the future. In the
next four years, the U.S. -China relationship will not be rewritten
however, how the relationship turns out will still be evaluated
according to its development."

b. "Secretary Clinton avoids talking about China's human rights
issues"

The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(02/23): "The subtle change in the new U.S.
government's expressions concerning China's human rights issues is
igniting a reaction in the West. Western media indicate that the
U.S.' attitude on China is being softened. It is hard to judge
whether the time where the U.S. 'points at China and teaches it a
lesson' has passed. Chinese experts think that the latest stance,
noted by Secretary Clinton, is very practical. This stance is a good
one for other countries to imitate. Chinese experts indicate that
being practical on China is the correct choice to make for the U.S.
It shows that the leverage power between the U.S. and China is
substantially changing because, nowadays, more and more issues
require U.S.-China cooperation. Comparatively, human rights issues
have become less important. However, the human rights issues still
exist. The U.S. is currently restricted by external factors. As VOA
reported, the bilateral relationship has moved from long-term
confrontation to practical cooperation."


2. TAIWAN

"The U.S. will not interfere with cross straight military
exchanges"

The official Xinhua News Agency international news publication
International Herald Leader (Guoji Xianqu Daobao)(02/23): "Recently,
the U.S. has made vague expressions concerning possible military
dialogues about the mainland and Taiwan. The U.S. Pacific commander
mentioned that he is willing to invite the Taiwanian and mainland
military to Hawaii in order to talk. However, when Taiwan inquired
about the meaning of such an expression, the Pentagon denied the
invitation. In fact not attending cross-Strait dialogue doesn't mean
the U.S. doesn't care about the cross-Strait peace process.
Attending the dialogue is just a forum. At the same time, Secretary
Clinton has expressed that the U.S. stance on Taiwan has not
changed. The U.S. still supports 'no war, & no unification' on
Taiwan issue. Currently, the cross-Strait relations are based on
economic interests. There are still obstacles to military trust. The
U.S. is waiting and watching for any further developments."

PICCUTA