Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09HONGKONG445
2009-03-11 09:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Hong Kong
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION: CHINA-U.S. SHIP INCIDENT
how-toP 110940Z MAR 09 FM AMCONSUL HONG KONG TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7095 INFO WHITE HOUSE WASHDC USDOC WASHDC AMEMBASSY BEIJING AMCONSUL SHANGHAI AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU AIT TAIPEI 0222 CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS HONG KONG 000445
DEPT FOR INR/R/MR, INR/IC/CD, I/FW
DEPT FOR EAP/PD, EAP/CM, EAP/P
DEPT FOR VOA/BRF, TV-WPA
WHITE HOUSE FOR NSC
PRC POSTS FOR PA
AIT
USPACOM FOR FOR CIS PD ADVISER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: CHINA-U.S. SHIP INCIDENT
TOPIC: China-U.S. ship incident
HEADLINES AND EXCERPTS:
"Moderation needed in Sino-U.S. war of words"
The independent English-language South China Morning Post said in an
editorial (3/11): "Rivalry between China and the U.S. has to be
carefully managed to prevent relations from nosediving. Incidents
have too often in the past turned buoyant ties sour. Such could
easily be the case with the confrontation between five Chinese ships
and a U.S. navy vessel off Hainan Island on Sunday. Accusations and
demands for an apology are being carelessly hurled about, and cool
heads are needed to prevent an escalation.... There is no doubting
the diplomatic war of words that has resulted, though. A Foreign
Ministry official said that Chinese and international law had been
violated. China's actions were denounced by a Pentagon spokesman as
'reckless, dangerous and unprofessional'. Neither side is budging;
there is a danger that the sound footing to relations established
during U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's visit to
Beijing last month will be torn asunder.... Moderation is urgently
needed. China and the U.S. must work together, not against one
another. U.S. President Barack Obama has pledged the right
diplomatic approach. Promising Sino-U.S. ties cannot be allowed to
be squandered."
"Relations are not flawless; China and the U.S. will be benefited by
cooperating with each other."
The center-left Chinese-language Sing Tao Daily News said in an
editorial (3/11): "The U.S. surveillance ship 'Impeccable' was
harassed by Chinese ships in the South China Sea near Hainan Island.
The Chinese government put the blame on the U.S. in a high profile
incident, reminiscent of the Sino-U.S. military plane crash eight
years ago. The incident has cast a shadow over Sino-U.S. military
relations. However, it will have very limited impact on their
bilateral political and economic cooperation.... After U.S.
Secretary of State Clinton assumed office, she chose Asia as the
destination of her maiden voyage, and China was the focus of her
Asia trip. China and the U.S. need cooperation in political and
economic areas. The U.S. also needs China to keep on buying U.S.
bonds amid the financial tsunami, so that the administration can
inject large amounts of money to save the economy. Chinese Foreign
Minister Yang Jiechi is visiting the U.S. to pave the way for the
meeting between Chinese President Hu Jintao and President Obama at
the G20 summit. The two sides may make use of the dispute this time
to try to ascertain each other's strength. Despite the fact that
their relations are not flawless, the basic principle of
'cooperation benefits both' will not be changed."
"It's correct to safeguard China's sea rights"
The pro-PRC Chinese-language Wen Wei Po had this editorial (3/11):
"...Innocent passage of other country's naval ships through China's
exclusive economic zone is allowed. However, no activity that will
harm China's sovereignty is allowed. The U.S. surveillance ship
'Impeccable' carried out military surveying in China's exclusive
economic zone. This is an act infringing upon China's sovereignty
and violating international law and Chinese law. This is a military
provocation. China is correct to safeguard its sea rights. The
U.S. must stop such an activity. The current financial tsunami is
raging. China and the U.S. should enhance cooperation to combat the
crisis together and not provoke incidents and spur conflict. In
this context, it is unwise for the U.S. naval surveillance ship to
provoke an incident. Washington should assess the situation
correctly. It should also learn from the lesson that U.S. national
strength and prestige plummeted as a result of the Bush
Administration's hegemonic behavior. Adjusting its unilateral
foreign policies and maintaining stable Sino-U.S. relations are in
line with the Obama administration's goal to combat economic
recession. "
DONOVAN
DEPT FOR INR/R/MR, INR/IC/CD, I/FW
DEPT FOR EAP/PD, EAP/CM, EAP/P
DEPT FOR VOA/BRF, TV-WPA
WHITE HOUSE FOR NSC
PRC POSTS FOR PA
AIT
USPACOM FOR FOR CIS PD ADVISER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: CHINA-U.S. SHIP INCIDENT
TOPIC: China-U.S. ship incident
HEADLINES AND EXCERPTS:
"Moderation needed in Sino-U.S. war of words"
The independent English-language South China Morning Post said in an
editorial (3/11): "Rivalry between China and the U.S. has to be
carefully managed to prevent relations from nosediving. Incidents
have too often in the past turned buoyant ties sour. Such could
easily be the case with the confrontation between five Chinese ships
and a U.S. navy vessel off Hainan Island on Sunday. Accusations and
demands for an apology are being carelessly hurled about, and cool
heads are needed to prevent an escalation.... There is no doubting
the diplomatic war of words that has resulted, though. A Foreign
Ministry official said that Chinese and international law had been
violated. China's actions were denounced by a Pentagon spokesman as
'reckless, dangerous and unprofessional'. Neither side is budging;
there is a danger that the sound footing to relations established
during U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's visit to
Beijing last month will be torn asunder.... Moderation is urgently
needed. China and the U.S. must work together, not against one
another. U.S. President Barack Obama has pledged the right
diplomatic approach. Promising Sino-U.S. ties cannot be allowed to
be squandered."
"Relations are not flawless; China and the U.S. will be benefited by
cooperating with each other."
The center-left Chinese-language Sing Tao Daily News said in an
editorial (3/11): "The U.S. surveillance ship 'Impeccable' was
harassed by Chinese ships in the South China Sea near Hainan Island.
The Chinese government put the blame on the U.S. in a high profile
incident, reminiscent of the Sino-U.S. military plane crash eight
years ago. The incident has cast a shadow over Sino-U.S. military
relations. However, it will have very limited impact on their
bilateral political and economic cooperation.... After U.S.
Secretary of State Clinton assumed office, she chose Asia as the
destination of her maiden voyage, and China was the focus of her
Asia trip. China and the U.S. need cooperation in political and
economic areas. The U.S. also needs China to keep on buying U.S.
bonds amid the financial tsunami, so that the administration can
inject large amounts of money to save the economy. Chinese Foreign
Minister Yang Jiechi is visiting the U.S. to pave the way for the
meeting between Chinese President Hu Jintao and President Obama at
the G20 summit. The two sides may make use of the dispute this time
to try to ascertain each other's strength. Despite the fact that
their relations are not flawless, the basic principle of
'cooperation benefits both' will not be changed."
"It's correct to safeguard China's sea rights"
The pro-PRC Chinese-language Wen Wei Po had this editorial (3/11):
"...Innocent passage of other country's naval ships through China's
exclusive economic zone is allowed. However, no activity that will
harm China's sovereignty is allowed. The U.S. surveillance ship
'Impeccable' carried out military surveying in China's exclusive
economic zone. This is an act infringing upon China's sovereignty
and violating international law and Chinese law. This is a military
provocation. China is correct to safeguard its sea rights. The
U.S. must stop such an activity. The current financial tsunami is
raging. China and the U.S. should enhance cooperation to combat the
crisis together and not provoke incidents and spur conflict. In
this context, it is unwise for the U.S. naval surveillance ship to
provoke an incident. Washington should assess the situation
correctly. It should also learn from the lesson that U.S. national
strength and prestige plummeted as a result of the Bush
Administration's hegemonic behavior. Adjusting its unilateral
foreign policies and maintaining stable Sino-U.S. relations are in
line with the Obama administration's goal to combat economic
recession. "
DONOVAN