MEDIA REACTION: U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, WAR ON TERROR, NORTH

UNCLAS BEIJING 000021 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: U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS, WAR ON TERROR, NORTH KOREA -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS "Many U.S. think tanks predict Sino-U.S. frictions" The official Communist Party international news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(01/06)(pg 16): "In regard to the Eurasia Group's report that Sino-U.S. relations are likely to worsen and become the biggest geo-political risk this year, Professor Jin Canrong at Renmin University's Institute of International Relations said that the world is stepping away from the impact of the international financial crisis and entering the post-crisis era, in which countries would be much more likely to fight against each other through their competition over economic interests. The Obama administration's political status has declined in the U.S., its strength to resist protectionism is also weakened. However, we do not need to exaggerate the impact of Sino-U.S. trade frictions, it is just tributary (meaning: not a major problem in U.S.-Sino relations). However China should stay wary of the possible moves by the U.S. Zhou Shijian, Senior Researcher at Tsinghua University's Sino-U.S. Research Center said that if the United States insists on wrestling with China, that we, China, also have many cards in our hands. For example, we can take countermeasures to fight back against the U.S., one of which would be implementing countervailing measures on U.S agricultural products. As Chairman Mao once said, 'If we fight for unity, then unity survives; if we compromise for unity, then unity dies.' China has become the world's top exporter; the troubles faced by China will certainly increase, for instance, not only the pressure from the West, but also trade frictions with developing countries, such as Latin America. It is unlikely that the West will unite with each other to fight against China since all the countries are inclined to fight for their own interests. Therefore, any trade friction will be a one-on-one confrontation, not a showdown." ¶2. WAR ON TERROR "The United States faces the challenge of 'fighting terrorism on multiple fronts'" The official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao)(01/06)(pg 3): "Since Obama took office, the counterterrorism policy of the U.S. has been constantly adjusted and the focus has been on Pakistan and Afghanistan. But the Christmas Day terror plot will probably change U.S. counterterrorism strategy throughout the world. First, the U.S. needs to increase anti-terror forces in Yemen, which has become the new place where international terror activities originate. Second, the U.S. once again faces the challenge of fighting terrorism on multiple fronts. Terrorism forces in the Middle East, Central Africa, South Asia, Central Asia and Southeast Asia have all shown the rising trends. The old strategy of the U.S. which focuses on combating terrorism in South Asia is no longer appropriate for the new international situation. Thus the Christmas Day terror plot may even affect international counterterrorism efforts." ¶3. NORTH KOREA "The situation on the Korean Peninsula will hopefully change for the better" The official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao)(01/06)(pg 3): "Piao Jianyi, the Director of the Center of Korean Peninsula Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, argues that since last August, after former U.S. President Bill Clinton's visit, the situation on the Korean Peninsula has begun to thaw. From what signals have been sent by the DPRK and South Korea thus far, in 2010 relations between the two will take a turn for the better. The year of 2010 is a crucial year for North Korea since it believes that only a stable North-South Korean relationship will benefit the denuclearization process and economic exchanges on the Korean Peninsula in 2010. At this point, one can see that there is a general trend towards resuming the Six-Party Talks. At present, all parties are making more efforts to promote the resumption of the talks and have made certain progress." GOLDBERG