TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - CHINA AND U.S.-RUSSIA RELATIONS

UNCLAS TOKYO 000949 SIPDIS STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR, EAP/J, EAP/P, PM; USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI; SECDEF FOR OASD/PA; CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA SUBJECT: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - CHINA AND U.S.-RUSSIA RELATIONS ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Top items on Friday morning included a Yomiuri report on China's decision to require foreign digital appliance manufacturers to begin disclosing 'source codes' for their IT products. ¶2. "China Should Increase Transparency in Naval Operations" On Thursday's naval review by the Chinese military, the business-oriented Nikkei editorialized (4/24): "By inviting naval representatives from 29 countries to the review, China demonstrated its stance of deepening military exchanges with foreign nations. However, concern still remains about China enhancing its naval capabilities in the absence of transparency.... Given that China's military spending is the largest in Asia, the lack of accountability on the part of the Chinese will make its neighbors even more nervous. The communist regime should voluntarily and swiftly increase transparency in the country's military." ¶3. "First Review Demonstrates Strong Chinese Navy" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri insisted in an editorial (4/24): "The first naval review by the Chinese was meant to deflect international criticism of the lack of transparency in its military, as well as to demonstrate to the world the presence of a well established Chinese Navy. Together with a military parade scheduled for October 1, the Hu administration apparently hopes to enhance its grip on the Communist Party and the PLA.... China's military spending has continuously increased by double digits for 21 consecutive years... Beijing's explanation that 'it will never seek hegemony' would never be enough to dispel mounting regional concerns about the Chinese military buildup." ¶4. "Nuclear Arms Reduction Talks to Start" The top-circulation, moderate Yomiuri wrote on the start of U.S.-Russia talks in Rome today regarding a new nuclear weapons reduction treaty (4/24): "The Obama administration calls for the creation of a 'world free of nuclear weapons' and is looking to reduce nuclear arsenals as much as possible. On the other hand, Russia is poised to maintain nuclear deterrence by ensuring nuclear parity with the U.S. Bilateral negotiations are expected to hit a snag over issues such as the number of reduced weapons and how to verify reductions." ZUMWALT