TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS

UNCLAS TOKYO 000337 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 - U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS ¶1. LEAD STORIES: All Monday morning papers gave top or front-page play to a former vice governor's victory in Sunday's gubernatorial election in Nagasaki. ¶2. "Friction Should Not Negatively Affect Cooperative Relationship between U.S. and China" The moderate Yomiuri editorialized (2/22): "Friction has arisen between the U.S. and China since the beginning of this year over such issues as the cyber attacks on Google, Internet censorship in China, the U.S. decision to sell arms to Taiwan, and Tibet.... President Obama met with the Dalai Lama despite repeated criticism from China in order to demonstrate to China and the rest of the world the U.S.'s position of respecting such values as freedom of religion, human rights, and Tibetan culture.... The U.S. and China have repeatedly switched between 'confrontation' and 'improvement' in their bilateral relationship for the past 30 years. However, their economic ties have deepened to the point that they are now referred to as the 'G-2.'... If the current friction between the U.S. and China continues, it might affect issues involving Iran, which continues to conduct its uranium enrichment. China holds the key to whether the UN will be able to adopt a resolution on additional sanctions on Tehran. The confrontation between the U.S. and China should not affect international efforts to resolve such key issues as climate change and the global economy. The two nations must return to the spirit of building up 'strategic mutual trust' that they agreed on at their leaders' meeting last autumn." ROOS