MEDIA REACTION: INTERNET FREEDOM, U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000204 DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/CM, EAP/PA, EAP/PD, C HQ PACOM FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR (J007) SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ECON SENV KGHG KMDR OPRC CH SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: INTERNET FREEDOM, U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, U.S. MILITARY -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. INTERNET FREEDOM a. "Keep in mind the lessons learned by blindly following the West's steps" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(01/26)(pg 14): "A few Chinese intellectuals are fascinated about Western political theories, hoping that China would quickly be a part of the so-called mainstream civilization, represented by the West. But looking at the former Soviet Union's historical lesson, China should be cautious when participating in a civilization that was formed without China's influence. China's rise is happening in a rapid way, without the West's recognition. Historically, if China followed the lead of Western discourse, China would not be rising but would have repeated the collapse of the former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. Along with China's rise, the rearrangement of the international order has begun, in which China's role is crucial. Chinese intellectuals should no longer follow the lead of Western discourse, but adopt independent thinking and explore and construct China's own discourse and strategy in the 'post-America era.'" b. "Abnormal mentality" The official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao)(01/26)(pg 23): "At the beginning of 2010, Sino-U.S. relations are experiencing a cold-streak. U.S. officials, who used to speak in a cautious manner, have shown their tough stance concerning the Google incident. The reason for this is their Cold War mentality and prejudice against China, which are built based on their moral superiority and arrogance. They repeatedly point their fingers at China on democracy, human rights and freedom but ignore China's development and progress over the past 30 years. In fact, the U.S. has also been flawed in these fields. Double standards are being adopted because of this mentality. Secretary Clinton in her speech about Internet Freedom admitted that the nature of the Internet is like a double-edged sword, which is ironic because when the U.S. swings its big stick at others it exposes its own hypocrisy. The abnormal mentality they have is very short-sighted, and it will do tremendous harm to U.S.-China relations. The Google incident proved that the American people's rigid, ideology-focused mentality did not change much after the financial crisis. This type of mentality will bring the U.S. big troubles." ¶2. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS "Copenhagen was the turning point of 2009 Sino-U.S. relations" The Shanghai-based Shanghai Media Group (SMG) publication, China Business News (Diyi Caijing)(01/26)(pg A5): "Yuan Peng, director of China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, said that the Copenhagen Conference was the turning point of Sino-U.S. relations. Obama thought that postponing the meeting with the Dalai Lama and keeping a low profile on human rights' issues would be a good exchange for China's concessions on the issue of climate change. What happened in Copenhagen showed that, at critical times, China and the U.S. still have profound differences in key areas, although they cooperate on climate change. The result of the Copenhagen Conference was not what Obama had expected, which has, therefore, led to the enlarging disputes between the two countries. However, the development mechanism of Sino-U.S. relations for the past 30 years will still work. This growing spiral trend will not change. American companies have to learn a lesson from the Google incident. They are doing business in China. At the same time they should respect China's values, ideology and regulations." ¶3. U.S. MILITARY "'Patriot' missiles become a strategic pawn of the United States" The China Radio International sponsored newspaper World News Journal (Shijie Xinwenbao)(01/26)(pg 7): "Recently the world is debating the hot-button issues from the U.S. sales of 'Patriot' missiles to Taiwan to the U.S.'s deployment of the missiles in Poland. For the U.S., the Patriot missile is no longer a weapon, but an important pawn tofulfil its global strategy. As a type of advanced missile, the Patriot has attracted the interests of many countries and regions. Selling Patriot missiles is not just arms sales, but a way to strengthen the U.S.'s ties with its allies. Patriot missiles' targets are normally the U.S.'s potential opponents. By deploying Patriot missiles in Poland, the U.S. is enabled to conduct consecutive surveillance over Russian activities. This move has increased Russia's distrust of Europe and will intensify and Europe-Russian confrontation, which is conducive to the U.S.' BEIJING 00000204 002 OF 002 interests in European affairs. If a country obeys the orders of the United States it will be awarded the permission of buying Patriot missiles. If it does not, U.S. Patriot missiles will appear at the doorstep of this country, if not around it." HUNTSMAN