Cablegate: Media Reaction: Olympics, North Korea, U.S. Military

R 230940Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8756
INFO CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS BEIJING 002861

DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/CM, EAP/PA, EAP/PD, C
HQ PACOM FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR (J007)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR CH

SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: OLYMPICS, NORTH KOREA, U.S. MILITARY

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Editorial Quotes
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1. OLYMPICS

"Chinese people have the right to get respect"

The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(07/23): "Western media have run different
understandings about what President Bush said at the farewell to the
American delegation to the Olympic Games. China has opened up live
reporting from Tiananmen Square to the western media. This is very
sensitive in China but western media still feel it is not enough and
they always criticize China like a schoolboy. In Chinese
psychology, China's efforts to prepare for the Olympic should have
gained merit even if there are no results yet. But some western
media's criticism does not report sensibly or with reasons. The
Chinese people look forward to getting respect right now. President
Bush said American athletes will be 'ambassadors of freedom.' China
is a rising political and economic power. With China hosting
Olympics at this time, the political meaning and complexity have
surpassed sports itself. Western reporters will definitely use the
freedom of press that Chinese government promised them to be picky
about China. Foreign experts indicate that China should be
transparent and open. China looks forward to the world's respect
which will be the highest honor for Beijing."

2. NORTH KOREA

"The U.S. says North Korea and Iran are still the 'axis of evil'"

The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(07/23): "U.S. officials made this hard-line
comment at a time when there is progress both in denuclearizing
North Korea and in improving U.S.-North Korea relations. South
Korean officials indicate that the U.S. and North Korea still have
big differences in their stances. South Korean analysts think the
American official's remarks were intentionally adding pressure to
North Korea and pacifying dissatisfied American hard-liners. The
White House is making a tough stance towards Iran rather than North
Korea by bringing up the 'axis of evil' again. Secretary Rice also
has strenuously lowered people's expectations on the coming meeting
between the North Korea foreign minister and her."

3. U.S. MILITARY

"The U.S. think tank talks about space war with China, the U.S. and
Russia"

The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(07/23): "In the field of space China is
always considered a potential enemy by the United States especially
after China tested anti-satellite weapons. The U.S. has growing
concerns over China's space threat. However America's NASA director
Griffin expressed that the U.S. and China have room to cooperate in
space exploration. The two countries are conducting preliminary
steps."

PICCUTA

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