Cablegate: President Obama's Trip to Asia

VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIN #1344 3160730
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 120730Z NOV 09
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2698
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9495
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 0902

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 001344

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/P, EAP/PD - THOMAS HAMM
DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S TRIP TO ASIA

Summary: Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused news
coverage November 11-12 on Taiwan's plans to sign a financial
memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China; on the arrival in
Taiwan of the first batch of U.S. bone-in-beef and the boycott by
the opposition DPP and civic groups; and the cull of more than 9,000
ducks in Kaohsiung after the ducks were found to be contaminated
with dioxin. In terms of editorials and commentaries, a column in
the China-focused "Want Daily" commented on United States President
Barack Obama's upcoming trip to Asia. The column said the most
important message that President Obama wants to deliver to Asian
countries is that the United States wants to return to Asia and
reinforce its engagement with Asian countries. End summary.

"The Significance of Obama's Asian Trip"

Liu Fu-kuo, a research fellow at the Institute of International
Relations (IIR) of National Chengchi University, wrote in a column
in the China-focused "Want Daily" [circulation: 10,000] (11/11):

"... In [reality], there is a trend that the United States actually
has no alternative but to cooperate with China. [Because] the
United States is actively seeking China's cooperation, it will have
a [major] effect on the international community. However, this
trend will gradually create a [bi-polar] structure internationally.
China's influence [in the world] will be expanded [even more].

"Presently, Asia's importance has risen significantly. Especially
after the global financial crisis, the wealth and economic power in
the world have gradually shifted to Asia. The United States dares
not ignore such a fact. The White House spokesman once told the
media that the main purpose of President Obama's trip [to Asia] was
to improve the United States' cooperation with Asian countries and
to strengthen exchanges [with Asian countries] on bilateral issues
and issues of significant global interest. Strengthening the United
States' engagement in Asia is a strong policy message that Obama
wants to send with this trip."

STANTON

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