MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS; TIBET

UNCLAS HONG KONG 000450 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: U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS; TIBET TOPIC: ¶1. U.S.-China relations ¶2. Tibet HEADLINES AND EXCERPTS: ¶1. U.S.-China relations "Undercover antics and impeccable farce" The independent English-language South China Morning Post's senior writer, Alex Lo, wrote in the 'Observer' column (3/12): "Wasn't it one of the Marx brothers who said history repeats itself - the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce? The latest confrontation between five Chinese vessels and a U.S. navy ship off Hainan Island is reminiscent of a similar incident almost eight years ago.... As usual, accusations and demands for an apology are being hurled from both sides. Pundits and analysts warn of escalating tensions and wrecking the good start that U.S. President Barack Obama has made with Beijing. Well, if generals and politicians are making a mess of it, at least the men on the ground, or rather the seas, showed remarkable restraint to avoid a potentially deadly confrontation.... Certainly, Sino-U.S. ties are the most important bilateral relationship in the 21st century, so incidents like Sunday's tend to spook everyone. But then, look on the bright side. The navy boys on both sides resorted to mooning and water-spraying each other. That's progress in the cause of peace." ¶2. Tibet "Fifty years on, time for a rethink of Tibet policy" The independent English-language South China Morning Post said in an editorial (3/12): "The 50th anniversary of the failed Tibetan uprising has passed without the violent unrest anticipated by a security crackdown. True, it was marked by the most strongly worded statement for years by the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan spiritual leader's description of life under Chinese rule as hell on Earth brought an angry rebuttal from Beijing. But his tough talk is seen as a gesture to radical young followers frustrated with the lack of progress under his policy of compromise.... Beijing needs to rethink its policy on Tibet, lest power passes from the Dalai Lama into the hands of a generation politically radicalized by the perception that compromise is futile. A review would be in the interests of the Tibetans, the Han Chinese and ethnic minorities in the region. With hindsight, Tibetans might have completely felt at ease being Chinese by now had Beijing's policy towards the region since the 1950s been guided by something similar to the one country, two systems model now applied to Hong Kong. Looking ahead, if Beijing is to achieve its goal of social harmony and stability, Tibetans must be allowed a greater say in their own affairs. For his part, if the Dalai Lama is serious about rapprochement, he will need to give up his unrealistic demand for autonomy for a so-called greater Tibet encompassing all Tibetan-populated areas - an idea that no Chinese leadership, whether communist or democratic, will accept." "Dalai Lama makes an empty show of strength, Tibet is at peace" The pro-PRC Chinese-language Macau Daily News remarked in an editorial (3/12): "...The Dalai Group marked March 10 as the memorial day for the so-called 'Tibetan Uprising Day'. They hope Tibetans will remember this day by stirring up trouble in March every year. However, Tibet has been peaceful in the past few days. The reason is that Tibetans love to live in peace and the Dalai Group no longer has a social foundation.... Dalai Lama makes an empty show of strength in the international arena in an attempt to seek sympathy. He serves as the pawn of the international anti-China powers to attack China. Tibetan affairs are China's internal affairs. The Chinese government and its people are resolutely against any country using the Tibetan issue to interfere in its internal affairs. We would like to advise Dalai Lama to mull over and rectify his political stance by truly giving up his plot for 'Tibetan independence'. The Central government's policy toward its contact with the Dalai Lama is consistent and clear. Its door for communication is always open." DONOVAN