Cablegate: Media Reaction: U.S. Policy, Environment

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SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: U.S. POLICY, ENVIRONMENT

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Editorial Quotes
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1. U.S. POLICY

A. "It is no harm to cheer for U.S. healthcare reform"

The international news commercial publication of the People's Daily,
Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/30)(pg 14): "U.S. President Obama
has sent a wonderful Christmas gift to 46 million Americans who
cannot afford health care. It really deserves our congratulations.
Obama holds high the banner of healthcare reform for the benefit of
more poor people. In the face of the financial crisis, the adverse
situation it created, the resistance of numerous vested interests
and the Republicans, Obama's healthcare reform bill was passed by
the U.S. Senate and House, which was really not that easy. Obama's
'health care for all' plan has finally come true. It reflects the
U.S. government's 'sense of fairness,' which is well worth
recognizing. We do not need to worry about where the money for
health care reform comes from and what we need is to take good care
of our own money bag. The U.S. government's proactive actions have
no doubt provided a mirror for China's health care reform. The
United States' healthcare reform, in essence, is a competition
between government's fairness and the market's efficiency. It is
also a 'political struggle' between ideology and values."

B. "If a foreigner violates the law, s/he must be punished like an
ordinary Chinese people"

The international news commercial publication of the People's Daily,
Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao)(12/30)(pg 14): "Akmal Shaikh, who was
executed yesterday for drug smuggling, is not the first foreigner
punished according to Chinese law and will not be the last. Chinese
judicial authorities and the public are obviously not prepared for
the rapid increase in the number of crimes conducted by foreign
nationals. The Akmal case is a vivid legal lesson for Chinese
people as they will see for themselves that all are equal before the
law. After all, foreigners, when breaking the law in China, must be
treated in strict accordance with China's legal procedures. Whether
foreigners who break the law will be treated the same as Chinese
people is a matter of justice. Chinese law can only be credible to
the Chinese people and the world by upholding fairness, equality,
standards and justice."

2. ENVIRONMENT

"Copenhagen's ladder over the wall"

Guangdong 21st Century Publishing Company Ltd.'s business newspaper,
21st Century Business Herald (21Shiji Jingji Baodao)(12/30)(pg
3):"Developed countries could refuse to re-confirm emission
reduction targets with the excuse that the 'Copenhagen Agreement' is
not a legal binding treaty. They could also use the four technical
loopholes in emissions accounting method to avoid responsibility.
Yang Fuqiang, WWF's Director of Global Climate Solutions, said
January 31st will be the real litmus test for developed countries
and we will be able to see whether or not they are actively
promoting global climate negotiations. Yang also noted that due to
all kinds of loopholes in developed countries' emission reduction
commitments made at the Copenhagen Conference, the agreement which
will be reached in the future faces the risk of failure."

GOLDBERG

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