MEDIA REACTION: HUMAN RIGHTS, GARY LOCKE, U.S.-CHINA

UNCLAS BEIJING 000514 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: HUMAN RIGHTS, GARY LOCKE, U.S.-CHINA MILITARY RELATIONS -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. HUMAN RIGHTS a. "Human rights report decried" The official English-language newspaper China Daily (02/27): "China yesterday denounced U.S. criticism of its human rights record in an annual report, saying Washington should first put its own house in order. 'We urge the U.S. to examine its own human rights problems and not use human rights as an excuse or publish human rights reports in order to interfere with others' internal affairs,' a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. 'During the 30 years of development and reform, we have seen a continuous development of the economy; religious freedom has been protected; and all of Chinas ethnic groups increasingly enjoy more and more freedoms and rights. The U.S. practice of throwing stones while living in a glass house is a testimony to the double standards and hypocrisy of the United States in dealing with human rights issues and has undermined its international image..' the [Chinese] report said." b. "U.S. wants to use the human rights report to poke China" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(02/27): "The U.S issued its annual Human Rights Report criticizing China's human rights record once again. This is completely different from Secretary Clinton's emphasis on human rights during her visit. Chinese experts believe that Secretary Clinton's attitude represents the current U.S. government's China policy. The human rights issue is unlikely to be an overwhelming topic and that the U.S.-China policy will become more reasonable. Chinese experts indicate that human rights issues have been a diplomatic issue for the U.S. since the country was founded. It is a long-lasting issue between the U.S. and China. Secretary Clinton's visit has shown that the U.S. government knows how to deal with China now. Currently the most important issue is economic and trade cooperation. Thus Secretary Clinton's attitude will represent the U.S. attitude better than the Human Rights Report." ¶2. GARY LOCKE "Gary Locke is 'optimistic news' for China" 21 Century Business Herald (21 Shiji Jingji Baodao) under Guangdong 21-Century Publishing Company Ltd. commented (02/27): "President Obama nominated Gary Locke as his Commerce Secretary. This move is to reward the Chinese-Americans who voted for Obama during his campaign. Second, Obama needs supporters of free trade, like Gary Locke, to show his support to multinationals. This is the inevitable result of using free trade to balance the 'Buy America' protectionism. From the Chinese prospective, his choice of a Chinese-American is very important for the more and more complicated Sino-U.S. trade relationship. Gary Locke knows about China and he understands how the Chinese do things. This will help him achieve a win-win situation for both countries. Once approved, he may push China to continue to open up their markets. He also has experience with IPR issues. In the field of IPR, the future Commerce department may have a better coordination with China. Locke believes that free trade improves people's lives by promoting democracy and justice." ¶3. U.S.-CHINA MILITARY RELATIONS "Resumption of military exchanges a good step" The official English-language newspaper China Daily (02/27): "China has made a solemn commitment to the international community that it will by no means pursue military expansion and will consistently adhere to a path of peaceful development. The country would not seek hegemony even if it becomes more powerful. All these commitments have made China's peaceful military strategy crystal clear. Facing an increasing number of traditional and nontraditional security threats, all countries should strengthen cooperation, especially in the military field. China and the U.S. should pass on the recent zero-sum stereotype and push for a win-win result for a healthier and more stable bilateral relationship." PICCUTA