MEDIA REACTION: G20

UNCLAS HONG KONG 000616 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: G20 TOPIC: G20 HEADLINES AND EXCERPTS: "The commitments that G20 must make" The independent English-language South China Morning Post said in an editorial (4/2): "The leaders of the world's 20 biggest developed and developing economies meet in London today. In the four hours and 35 minutes of talks scheduled between meals and tea breaks they face an onerous task: to fix the broken global economy. What needs to be done is plain, but getting such an unwieldy and diverse group to agree on a common strategy will not come easily. A decisive way forward can be forged only if national self-interest and protectionist ways are set aside - and for the global good, this is what must happen.... The U.S. took a valuable step by helping put in place the G20, an organization better equipped than any before to handle global economic challenges. Such a grouping needs leadership and co-operation to succeed in its aims. Differences between and among developed and key developing nations such as China have to be surmounted. Joining hands to fight the worst economic turmoil in four generations is the only way to bring back growth. Agreements made in London today have to be embraced and adhered to." "Rescuing the market is chief mission of the G20 summit" The mass-circulation Chinese-language Apple Daily News remarked in an editorial (4/2): "...On the eve of the G20 summit, China's leadership is not mentioning even a word on changing the status of the U.S. dollar. In contrast, China agrees with Britain and the U.S. to deal with the financial and economic crisis first.... Why did the Chinese government suddenly shift its position on the eve of the G20? It is because the quick recovery of the global economy benefits China more than revamping the international financial system and changing the leading status of the U.S. dollar.... The status of the U.S. dollar and financial regulatory reform are long-standing and complicated issues. They cannot be handled in the G20. Leaders of the G20 should rather focus their attentions on coming to consensus on bailout plans." "China should be very happy" The independent Chinese-language Hong Kong Economic Journal said in an editorial (4/2): "No doubt, China and the U.S. are playing the leading roles in the G20 summit. President Hu Jintao and President Obama's meeting yesterday will naturally be the spotlight of the summit. The whole world wants to know what opinions the two leaders have on the economic and financial issues, and what measures will they provide to help countries riding out the current crisis. The Economist said that the G20 summit is actually the G2 summit. The leading roles are just China and the U.S. Though the Economist's comment is an overstatement, it also has its reasons.... There is still a long road to go if China wants to sit equally with the U.S. Apart from initiating a war of words and instigating public opinion, China is still not as influential as the EU and the U.S. in the process of laying down the rules of the game for the international financial system. Nationalists should not be overexcited about this. However, China, as a developing country, has made an achievement by successfully challenging the U.S. dollar. It should be very happy about that." "Newcomer Obama is besieged by countries urging it to give away some of its power" The independent Chinese-language Hong Kong Economic Times commented in an editorial (4/2): "The G20 summit will convene today. The whole world is concerned about what results the summit is going to achieve. They also pay attention to the first appearance of U.S. President Obama in the international arena. They want to know how President Obama will remove countries' challenges on him and how he touches base with other countries. It will not only affect the world power system for the next four years, but it will also reveal whether he can lead the world in combating recession. The G20 leader summit is an international rivalry at the most senior level. The Chinese public and foreign countries are all observing the words and deeds of Chinese President Hu Jintao and want to see whether he can gain a bigger say in the international arena. The key question is how much international influence the U.S. will be forced to give up, especially with all countries besieging the U.S., as well as Obama." "China plays an important role in combating the financial tsunami" The working-class Chinese-language Sing Pao Daily News wrote in an editorial (4/2): "... One country alone cannot be relied upon to ride out the financial crisis, rather a new international economic order must be set up. The G20 summit is facing five issues. First of all, making sure that global groups such as the World Bank and the IMF have the 'appropriate resources' to assist emerging economies battered by the economic crisis. Second, revamping the banking system. Third, stimulating economic growth. Fourth, resisting protectionism and promoting trade. Fifth, boosting the recovery of future economy in an environmentally friendly style. The G20 summit will be held today. It has captured the world's attention. It is hoped that leaders of the major economies will use their superb wisdom to stop the global economy from sliding toward a more serious recession. It is also hoped that China and the U.S. will play a more positive role in combating the financial tsunami." "Hu-Obama summit is prelude to the G20" The pro-PRC Chinese-language Hong Kong Commercial Daily wrote in an editorial (4/2): "...President Hu Jintao and U.S. President Obama's meeting before the G20 summit has attracted world attention. This meeting is known as the G2 summit. In yesterday's 'Hu-Obama summit', the two leaders discussed a wide range of topics of mutual concern, for example, Sino-U.S. relations. They also exchanged views on how to deal with the international financial crisis. They also reached consensus on setting up senior level strategic and economic dialogues and on rejecting protectionism. Obama will visit China in the second half of the year. This Hu-Obama summit can be treated as a prelude of the G20.... China is the biggest buyer of U.S. bonds. It plays an important role in stabilizing finance in the U.S., as well as the world. Under such a special situation, countries will, of course, pay attention to the Sino-U.S. leader summit. They will naturally hope the G2 can join hands to solve the current crisis." "China plays an eye-catching role in the G20 summit" The pro-PRC Chinese-language Macau Daily News remarked in an editorial (4/2): "The second G20 financial summit will be convened in London today. President Hu Jintao will attend the meeting. Some people described this meeting involving the developed countries and the developing countries as a cooperation and rivalry of 'three rival powers standing like the legs of a tripod'. A 'game' between the U.S., Europe and China that is related to the success and failure of saving the global economy has begun. China's role has never been as eye-catching and important as it is today. Every country hopes that China will play an active role in helping to extricate them from the difficulties of the financial crisis." DONOVAN