MEDIA REACTION: STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS, WAR ON TERROR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000240 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: STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS, WAR ON TERROR -------------- Editorial Quotes -------------- ¶1. STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS a. "Obama shouted that the United States won't be the second in the world" The People's Daily-sponsored and internationally-focused commercial news publication Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao) (3/14)(pg 1): "In President Obama's 71-minute State of the Union address on January 27, he almost spent all of the time on domestic issues and only left 9 minutes for international issues. In the address, he repeatedly emphasized promoting domestic employment. A CNN poll revealed that more than half of all Americans believe that the United States has been moving in the wrong direction. Despite Obama's embarrassing current situation, President Obama, as the best orator amongst international politicians, mobilized the Americans in a very passionate tone of voice. He even stimulated domestic unity by saying the U.S. must lead China and India. A Swedish professor said that it is unacceptable for the Americans that Obama has given up on his spirit of adventure. Also, more than risk taking, the Americans also have a heroic mentality. Although Obama took office with the slogan of 'change,' believing it would be successful for him, he did not really know the hearts of the American people. In fact it's so hard for him to change the spirit of the Americans. Obama's medical reform plan and his tough stance against Wall Street have both violated the spirit of the Americans. Obama's new foreign policy, which, although it has improved the image of the U.S., has damaged the heroic image of the U.S., is something that the Americans won't accept. Obama will adjust his policies soon, for example, he will take a tough stance in foreign policy. China is obviously the target for the American's spirit of adventure and risk taking mentality. For a period of time, Sino-U.S. relations will be anticlimactic, which is in fact normal and we don't need to be worried about." b. "President Obama: Change is not easy" The official popular newspaper Beijing Youth Daily (Beijing Qingnianbao) (3/14)(pg B3): "President Obama made his first State of the Union address on January 27, in which he advocated employment as his primary task. Obama, who is known for his calmness, gave the address like an impassionate soldier. Hoping to change his declining situation via the address, by using sharper words he hoped to re-gain the American people's good impression and trust. He mentioned China twice in his address. Is he referring to China as an object to learn from or as an opponent? Quite different from Bush's addresses, Obama gave more emphasis on employment and economic recovery. A Chinese expert said that Obama also showed respect and admiration as he talked about China. He even took China as a good example for the development of the clean energy industry. The U.S. feels a sense of urgency when seeing the development of China, India and Russia. Meanwhile, the U.S. upholds a contradictory attitude toward China. It treats China both as a cooperating partner and as an opponent. Obama's policy on job creation, foreign trade development and export expansion may challenge the Sino-U.S. economic relationship. Especially if the U.S. once again brings forward the appreciation of the RMB, the trade war may be upgraded." ¶2. WAR ON TERROR a. "The United States is focusing on retreating unscathed" The official Communist Party People's Daily (Renmin Ribao) (3/14)(pg 21): "The Afghanistan Conference in London is focused on paving the way for the United States and its allies to retreat unscathed from Afghanistan. It's not easy to come, neither easy to stay, thus it is also hard to retreat unscathed. At this time it requires all parties to sit down and negotiate. Retreating from Afghanistan is not only a common view of the U.S. and its allies, but also relates to their domestic political situations. The war in Afghanistan has been a hot potato for the U.S. government for a long time; and a headache for U.S. society. To ensure the Afghan Karzai government is stably operating is a prerequisite for a safe retreat. However, there are a number of uncertainties. Under the leadership of the United States, from a development point of view all concerned parties began to resolve the Afghanistan issue. This approach will tackle the root of the problem but it will slowly take effect." b. "Western China's security should not be relaxed" The China Radio International sponsored newspaper World News Journal (Shijie Xinwenbao)(4/2)(pg 2): "After the United States announced its surge in troops in Afghanistan, security uncertainties have increased in Western China. The 'East Turkistan Islamic Movement' (ETIM) remains the number one security risk for the western part of BEIJING 00000240 002 OF 002 the country. Although currently there have been no big moves by the ETIM, they won't give up on their efforts. The external environment supporting their existence is still there. This requires China's close attention. We must watch what the expanded military activities of NATO and the U.S. military, including their increased U.S. troops, will bring to the Afghanistan-China border. Meanwhile, the Chinese government could make an inside effort to ensure regional security. The Chinese central government recently launched several initiatives to help develop this region. These initiatives will place tremendous psychological pressure on the separatists." HUNTSMAN