US-China Relations - 183. page

“U.S. use of missile to shoot down an inoperable spy satellite tantamount to using artillery to kill mosquitoes.”   What are the true purposes, questioned Xinhua.  Such U.S. move has three hidden purposes, according to Xinhua. To destroy an inoperable spy satellite with a missile can prevent leakage of sensitive equipment, can test the new anti-satellite weapons, and thirdly can also show off U.S. capabilities to control space.

Source: Xinhua, February 20, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/tech/2008-02/20/content_7633821.htm

On February 18, 2008 Xinhua blasts the U.S. NGOs that support Spielberg’s decision to withdraw as an artistic adviser for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.  “ They wave the banners of human rights only to incite celebrities and media to smear China‘s image,” says Xinhua. “The NGOs Olympic Dream for Darfur and Save Darfur are supported by anti-China forces.”  Xinhua quotes from a researcher at a state think tank, “these NGOs are deep-down disaffected about China developing relations with African countries.” “Mia Farrow and Spielberg are likely victims of coercion and manipulation.”

Source: Xinhua, February 18, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-02/18/content_7622034.htm

International Herald Leader, a newspaper under China’s official Xinhua new agency, published an article on February 19, 2008, commenting US president Bush’s recent trip to Africa. The article said that Bush’s mission “anti-terrorism and humanitarian assistance” did not resonate in Africa. Instead African media believe the deeper reason behind Bush’s trip was to strengthen US’s military presence in the continent and protect the transport of oil. The article found two features in Bush’s African itinerary: 1) Except for Rwanda, the other four countries visited by Bush are all coastal countries to Atlantic; 2) The visited countries are either of strategic importance or under frequent wars. The conclusion is Bush’s trip is to gradually pave the way for US to militarily intervene African affairs by firstly making friends with coastal countries and countries under war.

Source: International Herald Leader, February 19, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/herald/2008-02/19/content_7630017.htm

The accusation that China has been actively spying in US is "a pure fabrication with an ultimate motive", claimed by the front page article who cited the rebuttal statement from the spokesperson of the Department of Foreign Affairs in response to the arrest of four "Chinese Spies" by US. The media fanfare on the arrest is consistent with the continued touting of the so-called "Chinese Espionage" and "China Threat" that has become an inharmonic note accompanying the China’s fast rising economy and the continued improvement of Sino-US relationship. The article states that US has the world’s most sophisticated and complete espionage agencies and 1/3 of internet hacking actives occurred in US. It calls for the US to let go the Cold War mentality and stop groundless accusation toward China.

Source: China News, February 17, 2008 http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gj/jdtx/news/2008/02-17/1164651.shtml

A commentary article on the front page of XinhuaNet on February 17 appraised the US President Bush’s announcement to attend the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympic. The author, Tan Haojun, who routinely writes for XinhuaNet, claimed that Bush’s announcement was not only a proactive gesture from Washington but also a positive signal for the upcoming Sino-US relationship. The article appraised the announcement as an indication that the China’s foreign policy is on the right direction. It touted it as a proof of China’s rising status in the world ranking. It also showed that "politicizing" of Olympic is extremely unpopular.

Source: Xinhua, February 17, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/comments/2008-02/17/content_7614553.htm

On February 13, 2008, Xinhua published an interview with Dr. Vassilis K. Fouskas, a senior lecturer in International Relations at the University of Stirling in U.K. The report summarized the key points of the interview as the following:

1) Comparing with 1947, U.S.’s economic status is challenged with a shrinking proportion in world trade and a softening economic power. 2) Bush administration’s response to 9.11 terrorists attack is the consequence of U.S.’s sliding economic status. The purpose of continuous resorting to military power is to protect its fading super power in the world economic structure. 3) 9.11 became the new turning point for U.S. to carry out its new imperialistic strategy. War against terror can continue for ever to deal with terrorism, which has replaces communism as the main target. 4) The subprime mortgage crisis shows that certain socialistic economic management is correct. U.S. government will find it difficult to handle fundamental social political economic problems. Peaceful expansion of Europe and Asia will finally replace the U.S. hegemony.

Source: Xinhua, February 13, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2008-02/13/content_7594979.htm

On February 8, 2008 Xinhua reported on a recent U.S. Congressional hearing regarding Chinese espionage.

“After the hearing a Congressman claimed, ‘China’s espionage activities has become the number one threat to the United States.’ In fact, in many cases last year, some Western media, organizations and individuals made allegations about China espionage theory and China hackers theory, with no evidence whatsoever. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly refuted these allegations. The content of this Congressional hearing is nothing but ‘the same old tune.’"

The article mentioned Congressman Forbes, and witnesses Hon. J. Patrick Rowan and Larry Wortzel, apparently out of Bill Gertz’s Washington Times article on the Congressional hearing.

Xinhua quoted from a Chinese government think tank that Washington Times tends to publish right-wing ideology and that the authenticity of its reports have always been questionable.

Source: Xinhua, February 8, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2008-02/08/content_7581605.htm

On February 7, 2008, Banyuetan (Bi-monthly Discussion), a publication of Xinhua, published an article on U.S. – China military relations, written by Luo Yuan, Major General and Deputy Director of World Military Research Department of PLA Academy of Military Science.

After a brief review of the ups and downs since early 90s last century, the article states that biggest obstacle that hinders U.S. – China military exchanges and cooperation lies in the lack of mutual trust at a strategic level. The article complains that after China has done everything it could within the limit of its ability, “some Americans biased against China are still not satisfied and continue to spread the ‘China threat theory.’"

Source: Xinhua, February 7, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2008-02/07/content_7580398.htm