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

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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