Cablegate: Media Reaction: U.S. Politics, U.S.-China Tire Case,

VZCZCXRO1286
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #2584 2520911
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 090911Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5980
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS BEIJING 002584

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 KMDR OPRC CH

SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S. POLITICS, U.S.-CHINA TIRE CASE,
CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS

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Editorial Quotes
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1. U.S. POLITICS

"Obama's popularity plummets; is the Democratic Party repeating its
defeat?"

Guangdong 21st Century Publishing Company Ltd.'s business newspaper
21st Century Business Herald (21Shiji Jingji Baodao)(09/09):
"Obama's healthcare reform plan has been in a very dangerous
situation. On the reform plan, considered to be the core content of
a series of domestic policy reforms, Obama is losing supporters. No
president with a support rate lower than 40% can expect to
successfully launch a healthcare reform plan with far-reaching
influence. The ups and downs of Obama's support rate clearly show
the shift within independent voters without clear party
inclinations. A support rate below 50% shows that Obama's firm
base, who last year voted him into office, is also wavering. Obama,
who played the public relations card to bolster his authority, is
losing steam. Regarding the coming congressional election and
Obama's re-election in three years time, the Democrats are seriously
concerned about the loss of these supporters. Unless he can
demonstrate a real ability to govern the country, it will be hard
for the Democrats to avoid repeating Bill Clinton's (health care)
'Waterloo' 15 years ago."

2. U.S.-CHINA TIRE CASE

"Better techniques needed to lobby the U.S."

The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(09/09): "In order to cut or even prevent
losses, China's tire exporters - in addition to needing the Rubber
Industry Association's help - need to actively lobby the relevant
parties in the U.S. to earn their support, especially when the U.S.
has such an experienced hand in international trade cases. China,
as the country most accountable for the U.S. trade deficit along
with Western countries' China stereotypes, will undoubtedly be
involved in trade disputes now and in the future. China should
focus on improving its ability to repel these cases and use its
lobbying skills to protect itself. For the tire case, China should
go to well-known, reputable and influential American importers. In
this way, when sanctions happen, China's 'stakeholders' will speak
for China. Chinese companies should also begin a public relations
campaign speaking to ordinary American people about China's stance
and their possible unemployment should sanctioning take effect.
China needs to earn the support of ordinary American people. What's
more, China should be ready to compromise. Long-lasting trade
conflicts will harm both sides."

3. CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS

"History between Chinese Communist Party and Democratic Party of
Japan"

Guangdong 21st Century Publishing Company Ltd.'s business newspaper
21st Century Business Herald (21Shiji Jingji Baodao)(09/09): "Wang
Shaopu, Director of Japanese studies center at Shanghai Academy of
Social Science, said that the Democratic Party of Japan has
historically developed relations with the Chinese Communist Party
because it absorbed a lot of left-wing party members. However, some
of its members, on some issues, work in extremes. After the DPJ
takes office, Sino-Japan relations will still be uncertain. Wang
Xinsheng, professor on Japan's history at Peking University, said
that Ichiro Ozawa, the former DPJ president, advocated leading Japan
to be a normalized country through a competitive two-party system.
This meant getting away from U.S. control, being independent and
able to issue Japan's own voice. This is a good thing for China.
Some experts worry that many DPJ politicians, including Yukio
Hatoyama, are more supportive of a Western-style human rights
concepts than Liberal Democratic Party politicians, which could be a
future destabilizing factor in Sino-Japanese relations. Mr. Wang
believes that, though uncertainties exist, the DPJ will maintain
relations with the CCP after it takes office."

HUNTSMAN

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