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BBC Monitoring Quotes From China, Taiwan Press 29 Aug 05

Posted on: Monday, 29 August 2005, 03:00 CDT

The following is a selection of quotes from editorials and commentaries carried in 27-29 August 2005 website editions of mainland Chinese, Hong Kong and Taiwan newspapers available to BBC Monitoring. Unless otherwise stated, the quotes are in Chinese. The figure in brackets after the quote indicates the date of publication on the website

"American visits will inspire mutual trust"

Beijing's China Daily (official newspaper) in English: www.chinadaily.net "In a few days President Hu Jintao will fly to the United States, Canada and Mexico... China and the United States share plenty of common ground in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large. Still, big differences and suspicions remain between the nations. China is very concerned about the US military and its security cooperation with Taiwan. The United States misunderstands the strategic purposes of a growing China... Exchanges of visits between top leaders of the two countries help clarify policies and clear minds of doubts and misgivings. They are expected to expand areas of common interests and cooperation to the full, and settle differences..." (Commentary) (29)

"Form greater than content in Sino-US summit"

Hong Kong's Apple Daily: appledaily.atnext.com/ "...During Hu's visit to Washington, it is likely that an agreement on textile products will be reached between China and the US, and perhaps both sides will also sign several accords on culture, education and technology. [US President] Bush will definitely demand more efforts from China in resolving the North Korea and Iranian 'nuclear crises' (even though China cannot in fact satisfy the US' demands)... The contradictions between both sides on Taiwan, human rights and regional security and the strategic balance in Asia and other major issues are deep level. At this meeting, both sides will definitely exchange views on these subjects, but will be unable to reach any understanding or agreement of practical significance..." (Pei Minxin, senior associate, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) (29)

Hong Kong's Apple Daily: "...What's most worrying will still be the so-called human rights issue... There has been large-scale reporting in US public opinion about the Chinese government's new round of pressure and suppression of intellectuals and the news media. Hu's image has fallen in the West because of this. It is not hard to imagine that Hu will be asked about China's human rights issue on very many occasions... If he can be flexible and moderate, and use language which Western people can understand to answer these questions, the views of him held by very many people will change. Otherwise, his US visit will at least be unsuccessful in public relations." (Pei Minxin) (29)

"Negotiations hold key to UN reform"

China Daily in English: "From today on a core group of representatives from 30 countries will engage in extensive consultations on the most contentious topics regarding reform of the United Nations... It is important to restrain from rushing to adopt an unfinished draft document through the UN's decision-making process, though an immediate outcome may make 60th anniversary celebrations happier. For the sake of its legitimacy and effectiveness, the United Nations must ensure it that its reform plan is based on the widest endorsement and participation possible." (Commentary) (29)

"Compromise needed to achieve UN reform"

Hong Kong's South China Morning Post in English: www.scmp.com "...The US should be prepared to compromise. Indeed, compromise will be essential if the UN is ever to be able to fulfil its prime mandate of preventing conflict. It would also lay concerns to rest if the Bush administration were to reaffirm a commitment to the original grand vision of the UN. That means accepting the principle that the multilateral approach to dealing with conflict is the only moral - and effective - way to achieve a more secure world." (Editorial) (29)

"'Peace Mission 2005' writes new chapter for friendship of Chinese and Russian armies"

Beijing's Jiefangjun Bao (Liberation Army Daily): www.chinamil.com.cn "...As the first joint military exercises between both countries, 'Peace Mission 2005' [from 18-25 August] showed that the Sino-Russian strategic partnership has entered deep development, practical cooperation between China and Russia has deepened further, and cooperation between the Chinese and Russian armies has reached a new level... Maintaining peace was the main theme of the Sino-Russian joint military exercises; and maintaining peace is also the common mission entrusted by the times to the armies of China and Russia - this was the meaning of 'Peace Mission 2005'." (Qian Xiaohu, reporter, Qingdao, Shandong) (27)

Taipei's Apple Daily: www.appledaily.com.tw/ "...The biggest symbolic significance of the Sino-Russian military exercises is that China and Russia feel anxious and uneasy about the changes in the current geopolitics in Asia. Especially since Russia faces US influence entering its backdoor in Central Asia, and China sees the US and Japan strengthening their military alliance which is aimed directly at Northeast Asia and the Taiwan Strait, ever- strengthening energy cooperation between China and Russia and security challenges have tightly bound together the basic interests of the future development of both countries. The joint military exercises seem to be protecting the respective interests of China and Russia, and are a show of determination and concrete action..." (Andrew Yang Nien-dzu, secretary-general, Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies (CAPS), Taipei) (29)

"Economic patriotism"

Beijing's Renmin Ribao (People's Daily, Chinese Communist Party newspaper): www.peopledaily.com.cn "...It is precisely under this impetus of economic nationalism and 'economic patriotism' that European countries and the US frequently adopt double standards when handling economic and trade relations with third countries: When needed, they talk big about free trade; and when it is not needed, they discover high-sounding reasons as a defence for their protectionist behaviour... China has constantly become a target of attack for European and US protectionism, and even become a sacrificial victim. The China-EU textile trade conflict is an example... It is hoped that the great nations of Europe and the US will no longer play the 'economic patriotism' flag and carry out overbearing trade protectionism." (Yao Li) (28)

"Setting restrictions cannot protect EU's inert manufacturers"

Beijing's Shichang Bao (Market Daily) carried by Sina (Chinese web portal): www.sina.com.cn "...At present, faced with a 'double- loss' situation caused by setting restrictions [on imported Chinese textile products], the EU really should reconsider the serious harm of its trade protection policy... The inopportune 'clothing crisis' fully proves that quotas are a double-edged sword, which are stabbing Chinese textile enterprises, and also greatly harming EU importers and retailers. Setting restrictions is short-sighted behaviour which violates the market rules of survival of the fittest, and is not unlike pounding one's foot with a stone..." (Li Xuhong) (29)

"True rivals of China's textile business are India and Vietnam"

Shanghai's Diyi Caijing Ribao (business newspaper): dycj.ynet.com/ "...The unilateral restrictions currently set by Europe and the US, will be completely removed sooner or later, and the true rivals of Chinese textile enterprises which are used to fighting price wars, will not be in Europe and America. If they cannot put the time and energy into raising the added value of products and making brand- names competitive, Chinese textiles may feel very quickly the heavy pressure of competition from the same industries in India, Vietnam, Pakistan and other developing countries." (Commentary) (29)

"US-China ties face high hurdles"

Taipei's Taiwan News in English: www.etaiwannews.com "...Taiwan must lobby Washington more intensively and strengthen communication with both the Republican Bush administration and the opposition Democratic Party on the issues of expanding the international presence of Taiwan's 23 million people and the need to persuade Beijing to resume dialogue with Taiwan without preconditions. Since numerous initiatives launched by Taiwan to resume talks with Beijing have met with a shut door, Washington has no choice but to play a more positive and constructive role for the sake of securing the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Therefore, initiating the resumption of cross-strait dialogue is the most urgent task for [US Secretary of State Condoleezza] Rice's new Asian team..." (Editorial) (29)

Sources: As listed

Source: BBC Monitoring Newsfile

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