Cablegate: Media Reaction: U.S.-China Relations, G20 Summit

VZCZCXRO0284
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #2697 2640930
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 210930Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6153
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS BEIJING 002697

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.-CHINA RELATIONS, G20 SUMMIT

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Editorial Quotes
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1. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS

"The U.S. and China should be more active in managing bilateral
crises"

The official Communist Party international news publication Global
Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(09/21)(pg 14): "The recent meeting between
U.S. officials and the Dalai Lama and the U.S. special protection
case on tires have shown that crisis prevention and management
mechanisms are as important as bilateral dialogue mechanisms.
Transparency is crucial in crisis prevention, as is informing the
other country about what is and what is not acceptable. The U.S.
has clearly outlined its national security strategy, which ensures
that its national interests are not violated when dealing with other
countries. It is not a bad thing for a country to demonstrate to
others its toughness and unwillingness to make compromises.
Measures to take revenge should also be considered to ensure the
crisis management and prevention mechanisms mentioned above remain
operative. Taking prompt revenge is necessary not only in the
diplomatic and military fields, but also in the economic field. Not
taking revenge sometimes means paying an even greater price in the
future. Constructive criticism is another important part of crisis
prevention. Giving the country that has made a mistake a chance to
correct itself will ensure continued cooperation. This is China's
attitude in the tire case."

"How should one view the various 'faces' of the United States?"

The official Xinhua News Agency international news publication
International Herald Leader (Guoji Xianqu Daobao) (09/21)(pg 10):
"The U.S. has 'changed its face' towards China very rapidly: from
discussing at a very high level the possibility of a 'G2' to
imposing punitive tariffs on Chinese tire imports and naming China
as the main challenger in its National Intelligence Strategy (NIS)
report. In reality, the U.S. just stated what it has always
believed. The U.S. issued the NIS report for the following reasons:
first, because it is required by Congress and necessary for the
intelligence budget; second, the intelligence community needs an
alleged enemy, the bigger the better; and third, although China has
no intention of threatening the United States, it is true that China
has the ability to 'launch intelligence operations against the U.S.'
These various 'faces' reflect the U.S.'s fundamental interests: on
one level, the U.S. needs China; but, on a more fundamental level,
the U.S. maintains a high degree of vigilance against China. China
should deal with the U.S.'s changing faces in a calm way."

2. G20 SUMMIT

"What would Obama like to discuss at the G20 summit in Pittsburgh?"

The Shanghai-based Shanghai Media Group (SMG) publication, China
Business News (Diyi Caijing)(09/21)(pg A4): "Obama will face
pressure from developing countries at the G20 summit. Obama's
tariffs on Chinese tires will undoubtedly be a source of
embarrassment at the meeting between Obama and Hu Jintao. Obama is
expected to make a commitment to Chinese leaders at the summit to
alleviate tensions between China and the U.S. caused by the tire
case, and at the same time focus on more positive aspects of the
bilateral relationship. Obama will also face a 'crisis of trust' at
the summit due to the tire case. G20 countries all expect the U.S.
to play the leading role in fighting against protectionism; however,
if the U.S. adopts protectionist measures, other countries will
follow suit and the situation will spin out of control. Some
predict Obama will strongly support bolstering China's position at
the International Monetary Fund."

HUNTSMAN

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