MEDIA REACTION: FINANCIAL CRISIS, U.S. POLITICS

UNCLAS BEIJING 000482 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: FINANCIAL CRISIS, U.S. POLITICS -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. FINANCIAL CRISIS a. "Whomever saves the most energy, will be the first to recover from the crisis" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(02/25): "Energy conservation is not only about saving energy; it drives internal consumption and alleviates external pressure. Energy conservation has a far greater influence during a financial crisis. The new energy policy of President Obama intends to be more influential. Energy conservation will not only bring large economic benefits, but it will also bring social benefits. Among Obama's economic stimulus plan, about 150$ billion will be used to improve energy efficiency. China's current efforts towards economic recovery are facing great challenges because it is difficult for China to enlarge its exports. Therefore, the quickest method, where by the government can improve its energy conservation is through various state-owned companies. This is the best way for China to step out of the crisis." b. "Facing crisis, what kind of attitudes do we need" 21 Century Business Herald (21Shiji Jingji Baodao) under Guangdong 21 century publishing company Ltd. (02/25): "On February 17th the U.S.- China Economic and Security review held a hearing to address China's role in the origin and response to the global recession. Only the Chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia backed up his approach with statistics. If people can give numbers and talk sense, no matter what the conclusions are, it helps us to understand the core of the problem. While on the other hand, when one says something like Paulson did, blaming the Chinese people's savings habits; and Geithner blaming China for manipulating its currency; these statements, without providing convincing figures, may sound straightforward. But they are useless for solving the problem. Paulson and Geithner only criticize without providing statistics and numbers. This behavior doesn't help solve the problem." ¶2. U.S. POLITICS "Chinese American may head Commerce Department" The official English-language newspaper China Daily (02/25): "Yin Chengde, a former diplomat at the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., said Obama's nominations of Chinese American's reflects he strategy.'Obama is a mixed blood president. So, he is more open when it comes to naming a talent with yellow skin to a high position.' It is highly possible that the U.S. president has taken Beijing's role into consideration while making the decision. 'The move would definitely facilitate cooperation between the two sides, especially in the energy and commerce fields which are high on the agendas of the two governments.'" PICCUTA