MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, FINANCIAL CRISIS,

UNCLAS BEIJING 000087 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: U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, FINANCIAL CRISIS, ISRAEL -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS a. "U.S. and China enter a new era of balance" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(01/12): "In the 21st century, the balance and strength of the U.S.-China relationship has gradually been built. In the past two centuries, China's national strength was not at the same level as that of the U.S. Thus there is a great imbalance in ideology between the U.S. and China. However, during this century the situation changed. Currently the two countries' economies are nearing and becoming balanced. More and more dialogues are equal. This balancing is not based on the terror of the cold war, but on the cooperation of the two countries. Future win-win situations will be the foundation of the two countries relations. However, this balancing is a subsidiary of the general bilateral relationship. The two should make an effort to continue to balance their relationship." b. "The U.S.- China relationship deserves more brainstorming by the Chinese" The official Xinhua News Agency international news publication International Herald Leader (Guoji Xianqu Daobao)(01/12): "In the U.S., the Chinese promotion of the U.S.-China relationship is rarely seen. U.S. experts have brought new concepts forward such as Chimerica, the U.S.-China Strategic Alliance, the visit to China by future President Obama, etc. In China, there are different opinions about these new concepts for the future U.S.-China relations. All the concepts have common backgrounds: first, they've arisen in a U.S. presidential election year; second, they were brought forward during the financial crisis; third, they were mentioned in relation to the 30th anniversary of U.S.-China relations. Looking at the concepts, China should regularly consider them. What's more, China should embrace the concepts optimistically and openly. Furthermore, China should have a sober awareness of its real strength, and the distance between the U.S.' strength and China's position in the current international system. It is time for the Chinese to bring some new ideas in order to further the U.S.-China relationship." ¶2. FINANCIAL CRISIS "It goes against common sense to speak for the American cheaters" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(01/12): "Americans are the most skilled and frivolous people in the world, they not only spend their own money, but they spend others' money, which they've borrowed. Finally, they have reconciled to the financial crisis. Both Wall Street and the U.S. have lost global credit. However, certain officials, including Paulson and Bernanke, do not feel guilty for causing the crisis. They have blamed others for the crisis. They do not criticize Wall Street for mismanaging their money and cheating, but they criticize those who lent the money to Wall Street. They are speaking for the cheaters. The break out of the financial crisis is the collapse of a fictitious economy. If Paulson says that the reason is the Chinese people's high deposit rate, and that it is their fault because the Chinese have lent money to the U.S., then where is the common sense in the world?" ¶3. ISRAEL "'Cast Lead' influences the Middle East's strategic situation" The official intellectual publication Guangming Daily (Guangming Ribao) (01/12): "Analysts think that the imbalanced confrontation between ISRAEL and Hamas and Israel's hegemony in this crisis brings spiritual harm to the regional and Arab countries. The 'cast lead' conflict will go beyond Hamas and ISRAEL and will ignite a new round of arms races in the Middle East. It is not a good sign for both the region and the world. Last year ISRAEL had a negation with Syria to destroy the alliance of Syria, Iran, Lebanon and Hamas. But it will be impossible for Syria to have a peaceful negotiation with ISRAEL after the 'cast lead' conflict. Turkey is being complimented by the Arab media for their stance in the conflict. This conflict will influence the relationship of the Arab and Western countries, the relationships between the Arab and regional countries, the relations within the Arab countries and, the relationship between the Arab countries and Israel." RANDT