US-China Relations - 182. page

A Chinese government think tank believes the omission of a "China Threat" approach in the platforms of both Republican and Democratic Parties marks progress compared to the use of the term “strategic competitor “ by President Bush, reported the International Herald Leader under Xinhua. However, there are problems, observed International Herald Leader. The Republican platform discussed policies towards China and Taiwan separately. In particular, there is no mentioning of “one China”, clearly leaning toward Taiwan. In contrast, the Democratic platform stated that it upholds the “One China Policy.” International Herald Leader further stated that the Democratic Party favors protectionism and attacks China several times in the past on trade issues, quoting Biden’s remarking on banning toy products from China. It was noted that McCain is against protectionism.

Source: Xinhua, September 16, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-09/16/content_10027078.htm

Xinhua carried an article sourced from Shanghai Morning Post which praised Obama’s “China Think Tank” to be “programmatic and moderate”. It said: “Among those 15 Obama’s China Think Tank members, majority of them came from Clinton’s foreign policy cabinet. They are very familiar with China affairs. Most of them are programmatic and moderate with good relationship with China.”

The article then introduced a few key members led by Senator Biden. The article cited: “Mr. Biden disagrees with ‘engagement and containment’, the two words that Bush administration uses in its China Policy. But rather, Congressman Biden favors ‘compete and cooperate’, which can be used to summarize what Obama’s China policy would look like. "

Source: Xinhua, September 12, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-09/12/content_9935978.htm

Xinhua posted a news article first reported by China News Agency about Iranian President Ahmadinejad’s comments on U.S. policy and its challenge to other country’s interests and national integrity. The report quoted Ahmadinejad who said the U.S. is facing a deadlock and continuous failure in every aspects, “American imperialism has come to a dead end, American philosophy, culture, and morale are no longer appealing to other people.” “No country likes American imperialism, its interference in all issues including international issues not only is of no help to solve the problems, it makes the problems more complicated.”

Source: Xinhua, September 8, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-09/08/content_9846850.htm

“The US is uneasy about the emergence of China’s soft power and will take measures to make up its own losses.” Fan Jishe told Global Times (Huan Qiu Shi Bao) referring to a report published by Congressional Research Studies (CRS) titled “Comparing Global Influence: China’s and U.S. Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, Trade, and Investment in the Developing World.” Fan said: “The US is concerned that China may compete with the US in its appeal to other countries.”

In referring to an earlier report, written by CRS under the request of Congressman Biden titled “China’s Foreign Policy and ‘Soft Power’ in South America, Asia, and Africa”, Fan said that the first report was focused on the definition of China’s soft power and its impact to the US-China relationship. The second one was to compare the soft power between China and US and U.S. foreign policy options in light of China’s emergence.

Fan is a researcher from Department of American Diplomacy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Source:
Global Times, September 8, 2008
http://world.huanqiu.com/roll/2008-09/219518.html
Comparing Global Influence: China’s and U.S. Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, Trade, and Investment in the Developing World, August 15, 2008
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL34620.pdf
China’s Foreign Policy and ‘Soft Power’ in South America, Asia, and Africa
http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2008_rpt/crs-china.pdf

Peoples.com.cn under People’s Daily cited the U.K. newspaper The Guardian saying that if Obama wins, he could bring criminal charges against Bush.  The official website stated, “Democratic Vice-President nominee Joe Biden said that if his party wins the presidential election, criminal charges could be brought against the Bush administration, hence the strongest stance demanding investigation of crimes during the Bush Administration.”

Source: People’s Daily, September 5, 2008
http://world.people.com.cn/GB/7807622.html

In general, China’s state-run media has not shied away from attacking or even demonizing President George W. Bush, but coverage changed tone in an obvious way during the Olympics.

An article “Bush Family Hands in ‘China Transcripts’ (During Olympics)” by Xinhua’s newspaper International Herald Tribune touts that “[the fact that] Sino-U.S. Relations advanced to today’s level cannot be separated from Bush Senior and Junior’s efforts.”

In appreciation of Bush’s appearance at the Olympics, Bush’s whole family was invited to dinner at yíng tái in Zhongnanhai (an ocean platform in Zhongnanhai surrounded by water on three sides, formerly a recreation area for imperial wives and concubines). The building is rarely used and only a few foreign political leaders have been invited to the place, not to mention a foreign leader’s whole family.

Source: Xinhua, August 19, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-08/19/content_9497770.htm

On August 11, Study Times, a publication of the Party School of the Communist Party of China, issued an article commenting on Bush’s trip to the Beijing Olympics. It stated that fundamental changes have taken place in the U.S. policy towards China during the 8 years of the Bush Administration. The changes are strategic and long term, in the following 5 categories: 1. Summit communications have produced remarkable results. 2. Cooperation platforms such as strategic economic dialogue have been institutionalized. 3. Military exchanges have been completely resumed. 4. There has been closer and more effective cooperation on major international issues such as North Korea nuclear crisis. 5. The two countries have joined hands in stabilizing the Taiwan Strait.

Source: Study Times, August 11, 2008
http://www.studytimes.com.cn/WebPage/ny1.aspx?act=1&id=2054&nid=7368&bid=2&page=1

Using the key words “Bush” and “Olympics” to search within the website of China’s state media Xinhua returned well over 100 items from August 8-12. Bush, representing the important figures of Western “guests,” has been used as a symbol to boost the “grandiosity” of the Beijing Olympics. In Xinhua’s report on the opening ceremony, Bush’s picture entering the stadium with Hu Jintao was shown in the prime position. Below are a few samples of such report:
 
Bush Watches Olympics: “Very Exciting, Better than Expected” http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-08/12/content_9196336.htm

Bush Praises Olympics Surpassing Expectation: “Feel Really Great” http://news.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2008-08/12/content_9196247.htm

Bush Is Absorbed in Watching Olympic Games; Wife Says Opening Ceremony “Wonderful’ http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-08/11/content_9157537.htm

Bush: Passionate Cheerleader
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-08/12/content_9196601.htm

Narrating to His Wife in Advance, Bush Overjoyed by China-U.S. Men’s Basketball Game http://news.xinhuanet.com/olympics/2008-08/11/content_9181725.htm