| Office of Research | Issue Focus | Foreign Media Reaction |
|
Commentary from ... Europe Middle East East Asia South Asia Africa Western Hemisphere |
| 10 April 2001 U.S.-China Standoff: Has It Moved From 'Incident' To 'Real Crisis'? |
With the U.S.-China standoff in its second week, numerous editorials in East Asia, Europe and elsewhere seemed to settle in for a protracted "crisis." Headlines highlighted Mr. Bush's warning that the impasse could damage bilateral ties, while editorialists worried that the current tensions may be an indicator of a future U.S.-Sino relationship marked by "dangerous confrontation." Official Chinese papers remained fixated on the U.S.' failure to apologize. Criticism of the U.S. position, however, was not confined to Beijing papers, as commentators from around the world found fault, to varying degrees, with the U.S. Some argued that the "Chinese have good cause to be aggrieved" and saw the incident as a "sovereignty violation." Others claimed that the U.S.' approach "smacks of arrogance" and highhanded "unilateralism." Highlights follow:
EAST ASIA: Still insistent on a U.S. apology, China's official press bristled that under the Bush presidency, America has become increasingly "irrational" and "hostile" in its dealings with Beijing and "hegemonistic" in its overall outlook on the world. This approach, Beijing's intellectually oriented Guangming Daily claimed, will "only meet with worldwide condemnation." Asian bystanders pressed, as they have since the outset, for a speedy resolution to the incident, arguing that the best prospects for long-term regional security lie in U.S.-China cooperation, not confrontation. Reluctant to place blame squarely on either party, some observers asserted that the U.S. should take the initiative in resolving the incident and allow China to "save face," while others agreed with a Hong Kong writer's claim that Beijing would be "unwise to reject" Mr. Bush's "olive branch."
EUROPE: Some analysts stressed the economic costs for both sides of an extended row. London's independent Financial Times argued that it would be as "ruinously self-defeating" for Washington to revoke China's PNTR status as it would be for Beijing to ignore the risk to WTO entry that continued "brinkmanship" could entail. While an Italian paper judged the U.S. expressions of regret to be "more than reasonable" and chided China for its "rigidity," a Vienna writer expressed the more common view that "in a showdown" for world sympathy, the U.S. would lose, with Mr. Bush "suffering the consequences of his confrontational approach."
ELSEWHERE: For the most part, commentators in the Middle East, South Asia, Africa and Latin America did not express much sympathy for the U.S. Analysts criticized the U.S. for acting in a "unilateral," Cold War-like manner in its response to the Chinese detention of the American aircraft and its crew. They believed that it is Washington that should be more flexible in its position. "The Americans would do well to make an apology, although the Chinese pilot may have been over-zealous," suggested one South African writer. Opinionmakers saw that both sides have "much to lose" if U.S.-Sino relations deteriorate. Meanwhile, a Canadian writer was alone in the media in advocating a harder line for the U.S., holding that Washington should threaten Beijing with losing the 2008 Olympics unless the American "captives" are released.
EDITORS: Katherine Starr, Irene Marr, Gail Hamer Burke, Diana McCaffrey
************************************************************************ ***
EDITOR'S NOTE: This survey is based on 47 reports from 38 countries, April 7 - 10, 2001. Editorial excerpts are grouped by region; editorials from each country are listed from the most recent date.
EAST ASIA
CHINA: "Bush Has Underestimated The Chinese People"
Ding Gang and Ren Yujun commented in official Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao, 4/10): "George W. Bush has yet to make an apology to the Chinese people about the plane collision incident. The United States' hegemonistic style has met with worldwide criticism. It seems that on this incident, nobody, including America's allies, is willing to speak for the U.S. government.... Even some of the American media have now tried to be objective and keep calm on this issue and to provide balanced coverage of it. Many ordinary Americans also hold that Bush should make an apology. Some media say the Bush administration is making enemies. Some American experts have pointed out that Bush's way of tackling the issue is indicative of a shortage of experts familiar with China issues in the Bush administration."
"U.S. Surveillance Plane Full Of Hostile Intentions"
Ding Gang asserted in official Global Times (Huanqiu Shibao, 4/10): "Since 1950, the United States has tried to send surveillance planes to monitor China and collect Chinese military intelligence. The U.S. EP-3 surveillance plane, which landed on the Lingshui airport of Hainan, was on a mission of collecting electronic intelligence for the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA). The plane is equipped with a completely integrated electronic system used for capturing all kinds of radar and radio waves, emails and faxes."
"Hegemonistic Mentality Should Stop"
Fang Xiangsheng judged in the intellectually oriented Guangming Daily (Guangming Ribao, 4/10): "The United States' performance in the wake of the plane collision is exactly the same as the tricks used by bandits. First, it called white black and made lame arguments in an attempt to blur the fact that its surveillance plane was conducting espionage activities. And then it raised irrational demands, and finally resorted to intimidation. In fact, the hegemonism shown by the United States in dealing with the incident is not in any way accidental. Ever since the Republican Party came to power, the United States' hegemonistic mentality has been steadily growing. Some Americans still hold such beliefs as 'I am the leader of the world.' The United States' hegemonistic acts and mentality will only meet with worldwide condemnation."
HONG KONG: "Beijing Should Accept U.S. Regret As De Facto Apology"
According to an eidtorial in the independent South China Morning Post (4/10): "The United States has expressed regret for the pilot's tragic death, and could embellish those statements. Beijing could accept that as a de facto apology. The two could agree to cooperate on further investigation and on ways of preventing future incidents. China could release the 24 crewmen promptly, rather than let American politicians call them hostages. And Washington might announce that it will study the need for continuing these reconnaissance flights, at least at their present rate. Until something along those lines takes place, the current unhealthy momentum will continue. If prolonged, it could affect crucial issues for both, but, in the short-term, especially those of China."
"Olive Branch"
Independent iMail stressed in an editorial (4/10): "The United States took a step forward on Sunday towards resolving the crisis with China over the mid-air collision of April 1. Having already expressed 'regret', U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell actually used the word Beijing has been looking for--'sorry'--without technically apologizing for the crash.... This week we are approaching Easter, a time symbolic of peace, hope and new life. For Sino-U.S. relations to be reborn, Beijing now must seize the opportunity given it by the United States. An olive branch has been held out by Mr. Bush to China, and Beijing would be unwise to reject it. The crisis should not be prolonged any further. China should accept the United States' words and end its demands for a full apology. The crew of the spy plane should be released in time to rejoin their families for Easter."
TAIWAN: "No Room For Taiwan To Get Involved"
The Kuomintang-owned Central Daily News judged (4/10): "Washington and Beijing have now entered a bargaining period. China, of course, cannot randomly quote a price, nor can the United States insist on a fixed price. No matter what agreement is reached by both sides, the triangular relationship between Washington, Beijing and Taipei will surely be affected.... However, while developments in this incident will inevitably affect Taiwan's interests, the question is what role Taiwan should play.... We hope the Taiwan authorities recognize that cross-Strait peace cannot rely on military strength alone, because it is not necessary for Taiwan to enter into an arms race with Beijing. Neither should cross-Strait peace depend on the U.S. protection because the U.S. national interests are not equal to Taiwan's interests. Only when both sides of the Taiwan Strait are able to resume the mechanism of dialogue can the foundation of cross-Strait peace be set up.... After the U.S.-China jet collision, we hope the government would realize that both sides of the Taiwan Strait should return to the 1992 consensus as early as possible, which could provide a turning point for cross-Strait ties."
"China Needs More Time To Handle Collision Incident"
Lin Pao-hua noted in the pro-independence Liberty Times (4/9): "The most difficult part [for Beijing] to deal with is the nationalism inside mainland China, which China itself has cultivated over the past years. Although China needs the collision incident to incite nationalism in order to switch people's attention away from its internal conflicts, it is also worried that nationalism might spin out of control. After all, China needs the United States more than the United States needs China. China needs to worry about the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, but it also needs to think about the market, as well as the funding and technology the United States provides to China. The United States' military strength also serves as another reason to prevent China from acting rashly and blindly."
JAPAN: "U.S. Puts Pressure On China For Early Settlement Of Hainan Incident"
Liberal Asahi's Washington correspondent Tateno observed (4/10): "President Bush called for an early solution to the Hainan collision standoff. The president said that as days and weeks go by without a solution, the standoff would have more harmful effect on U.S.-China relations. Secretary of State Powell also pointed out the negative effects which the Hainan incident might have on China's MFN status and President Bush's planned October visit to China. These remarks are interpreted to mean that Washington's patience is wearing out."
PHILIPPINES: "Collision Over A Bump"
The independent Manila Times noted (4/10): "Beijing and Washington are not expected to go to war over the spy plane incident that grounded an American plane on Hainan Island and that may have caused the death of a Chinese pilot. However, the hardliners in China and the United States are increasing and their pressure can be cause for worry.... The war of words and the tension it has created could have an impact on overall security in Asia.... Both sides are said to be hammering out an agreed account of the collision that triggered the crisis. The world should endorse this face-saving strategy and support an honorable exit for both countries from the incident. If we wait longer, the hawks may seize the agenda."
"Resolve The Standoff"
Senator Blas Ople wrote in the top-circulation Manila Bulletin (4/8): "There is a good reason why the statesmen of Japan, Korea and the Philippines are gravely concerned over the U.S.-China standoff on the spy plane incident on Hainan Island. Although it is most unlikely that the situation will escalate into an armed confrontation, such a conflict can drag these three countries into the melee. The reason: They are bound by treaty to come to the aid of the United States in the event of an attack on its ships and forces."
SINGAPORE: "U.S. Grapples With Nuances In Post-Cold War World"
U.S.-based columnist Louise Branson reflected in the pro-government Straits Times (4/10): "The early 21st century is not a time when President George W. Bush can repeat the 'evil empire' treatment President Ronald Reagan gave the Soviet Union in 1983. Cold War black and white has turned into more ambiguous shades of grey.... The present crisis may begin to bring this 'shades-of-grey' reality home to Mr. Bush and his foreign-policy team as they struggle to resolve the crisis. They are having to confront the very contradictory elements in the Sino-U.S. relationship which have been forced to the surface by the crisis.... Enough regret has to be expressed to allow the Chinese to claim the Americans have made an apology, but not enough for the Americans to believe they have made an apology. Talk about shades of grey!... Another pattern is also discernible.... Recent American presidents have frequently taken office criticizing their predecessor for being too 'soft' on the Chinese. But, in the end, they have retreated to the center themselves and come to favor some form of engagement. Mr. Bush may well follow suit after the plane crisis gets resolved. It could prove warm-up practice for future dealings with China. But perhaps, too, a broader lesson in the shades-of-grey realities of this globalized early 21st century."
SOUTH KOREA: "U.S. Should Undo The Knots It Tied"
Conservative Chosun Ilbo pointed out (4/10): "Ten days have passed since the midair collision took place between U.S. and Chinese military jets. However, the two sides are still unable to find a solution. In our view, it is not desirable for this incident to escalate into tension between the United States and China. The two countries should assume a forward-looking attitude toward resolving this incident, and the United States in particular needs to take a more positive attitude. Given that this incident occurred in Chinese airspace while the United States was spying on China, and that a Chinese fighter jet and its pilot are missing, the United States should take the initiative in resolving this incident, just as those who tied the knots should undo them."
"Midair Collision Should Be Resolved In A Transparent Manner"
Sejong University Professor Kim Joung-won opined in the independent Joong-Ang Ilbo (4/10): "The problem is that [the United States and China] are trying to take advantage of this incident politically. China is aiming to deal a blow to the Bush Administration's hard-line diplomacy by insisting on a U.S. apology, while the United States stopped short of making a full-scale apology and is criticizing China for not immediately returning its ill-fated plane and its 24 crewmembers.... Even though they are not allies, the United States and China have maintained close relations economically since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties.... [In this regard,] the two sides...should wrap up this incident in a reasonable and transparent manner. This is the only way to save their pride.... We are apprehensive that the rivalry for hegemony between the United States and China might adversely impact on Asian countries, including Korea, just as innocent bystanders get badly hurt in a titanic struggle."
THAILAND: "Monitoring China And The U.S."
The lead editorial of elite, Thai language Matichon pointed out (4/10): "If it were to release these [crew members] much too soon, China would seem to be in awe of the United States. If China is not in haste in releasing them, it may exploit the event to expose to the world how aggressive the United States' nose-poking into others' affairs the world over is. . . If the situation were reversed: A foreign nation's spy plane is detected in international airspace along the U.S. coastline eavesdropping into the United States. The United States would react similarly by sending out fighters to intercept it, or force it to land on U.S. soil."
VIETNAM: "President Bush And Four Diplomatic Troubles"
Nguyen Dai Phuong insisted in the mouthpiece of the Communist Youth League Tien Phong (4/7): "After just two months in office, President Bush has to deal with four major diplomatic troublesome issues: the spy row with Russia, the sinking of a Japanese fishing-school vessel by a U.S. submarine, the world's opposition to the U.S. withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol, and the U.S.-China aircraft collision, in which the United States had to suffer both political and economic losses. This proves that the Bush administration's foreign policy is not suited to the current situation of the world. All of the above troubles have resulted from U.S. policies which want to return to the Cold War and the arms race, and to intervene into the internal affairs of the other countries. If President Bush doesn't adjust his current foreign policy, we fear that he must suffer more headaches with diplomatic troubles that the United States brings on itself. "
EUROPE
BRITAIN: "Of Spy Planes And Economics"
An editorial in the independent Financial Times read (4/10): "Unless the spy plane dispute between the United States and China is resolved soon, it risks infecting their economic, as well as diplomatic, relations. Some hardline elements on both sides appear to relish that prospect, hoping it will increase their leverage over the other. That is self-delusion. Both countries would lose from such brinkmanship. The first test may come in the next two months, when President Bush is due to seek renewal for another year of China's PNTR status. Some in Congress argue, rightly, that denying PNTR would hurt China.... But to exercise the threat would be ruinously self-defeating.... There is a real danger, if relations...continue to deteriorate, that it could push matters to the point where the voices of economic reason in Washington were overwhelmed by those baying for revenge.... The second looming battlefront is over China's long-delayed entry into the [WTO].... Washington may be tempted to block a deal indefinitely on political grounds. But to do so would be to overestimate U.S. influence. There are growing signs that joining the WTO holds little appeal for the hardliners in Beijing.... They are mistaken. Staying out of WTO would deprive China of an important stimulus to economic reform and discourage foreign-direct investment.... Both countries must learn to keep political and security differences distinct from economic and trade affairs."
FRANCE: "Bush On His Own To Face China"
Pierre Rousselin judged in right-of-center Le Figaro (4/10): "The wrestling between the United States and China...has been going for more than ten days. The affair cannot be considered an incident any more. It is a real crisis from which we can draw conclusions. First of all, this confrontation is taking part in absolute silence. Around Europe, people are keeping score, as if it were reassuring to see the new American administration undergoing its first trial very far from us, on the other side of the planet. Until now, no one has given its support to the United States. George W. Bush must feel very lonely. For someone who does not hesitate to take back the signature on a treaty such as Kyoto, here comes the first lesson: In the 21st century, unilaterism is out of place, even in America."
GERMANY: "Bush Has Underestimated China"
Peter Scholl-Latour told readers of right-of-center, mass-circulation tabloid Bild Zeitung of Hamburg (4/10): "Acting like Superman, Bush wanted to show China its lack of power. He has underestimated his opponent. The Americans were shown the limits of their omnipotence. The People's Republic is no longer allowing others to intimidate it. It is possible that Congress is now eager to seek revenge and will ship arms to Taiwan and put economic pressure on China. That would be a double-edged sword. Today, the People's Army has the means to create an unbearable degree of tension around Taiwan, even for the U.S. Navy. Ever since Vietnam, the Pentagon has known that a military mission against China would lead directly to a catastrophe. In an extreme situation, Beijing would have the additional option of shipping missiles and weapons of mass destruction to 'rogue states' in the Orient, thereby creating another front against the United States."
ITALY: "U.S.-China Stalemate, Kofi Annan Offers Himself"
Washington correspondent Ennio Caretto emphasized in centrist, top-circulation Corriere della Sera (4/10): "The danger of an impasse between the two powers is becoming real. In Washington, they are beginning to call the 24 crew members 'hostages,' and they openly talk about sanctions against Beijing."
"This Is How China Would Use Crisis With U.S."
Mario Platero opined in leading, business Il Sole-24 Ore (4/10): "Indeed, it would be too much
to admit responsibility. And the American offer to close the case was more than reasonable: expressions of great regret, examination of the dynamics of the accident in a joint committee and the return of the American crew.... If we also bear in mind that the U.S. Congress will vote on China's entrance into the WTO within two months...then, Chinese rigidity has no explanation.... It might be possible that China is raising its tone because it is close to a deal.... At the moment, the crisis seems to be a short-term one. But if things go on like this for a longer period, it would mean that, for China, the crisis is just a way to redress regional balances and obtain concessions (on air space, for example) away from the negotiating table.... And then...the Congressional vote on the WTO would be blocked and Bush would cancel his trip to China.... Indeed, a negative development for everyone, but for China, above all."
RUSSIA: "Apropos Of The Sovereignty Of 'Flying Territories'"
Yuri Sigov filed from Washington for reformist Noviye Izvestiya (4/10): "The U.S. president and his aides, who advise him to stand his ground in dealing with the Chinese, hardly remember the story of Soviet pilot Belenko, who highjacked a MIG-25 jet fighter to Japan on September 6, 1976. At that time, U.S. politicians, military and 'big' experts on international law said nothing about the highjacked warplane being the 'sovereign territory' of the USSR. Without batting an eye, the Americans took the Soviet plane apart piece by piece. So why should the Chinese have stayed away from the U.S. spy plane that really dropped out of the skies, uninvited? Double standards didn't work for the Americans this time."
AUSTRIA: "The Bad Manners Of A Superpower"
Foreign affairs editor Norbert Mayer commented in mass-circulation Kurier (4/9): "The law might not be on China's side, considering the 'hostage-taking' of the U.S. crew, however President Bush would lose in a showdown of sympathy. While on the one side, there are the cold warriors, crushing every apology with their hard jaws, there is on the other side the young grieving widow of the Chinese pilot. Bush is suffering the consequences of his confrontational approach, especially with regard to Southeast Asia."
BELGIUM: "A New Cold War"
Philippe Paquet held in independent La Libre Belgique (4/10): "This military incident, which is now likely to deteriorate into a major political crisis, gives an idea of what long-term relations between the United States and China will be: A dangerous confrontation between two big countries, which have become inflexible--or even arrogant--because of an exacerbated nationalism on both sides.... The ongoing diplomatic arm-wrestling must also remind other countries that China is not a third-rate country which another nation--albeit 'The' superpower--can jostle. This message is meant for the new Bush administration, but also...for other governments of the region.... The moment to send such a message could not have been better chosen: President Jiang Zemin and Chinese foreign policy's architect, Qian Qichen, are on an official visit in Latin America, a traditional zone of influence of the United States--and where, in addition, Taiwan still has some of its rare diplomatic allies. One can deduce that this crisis is not likely to be solved before they return to Beijing."
"If Dispute Drags On Hawks Will Pressure Bush"
U.S. correspondent Yve Laudy predicted in independent La Libre Belgique (4/9), "If the dispute drags on, the 'hawks' in the Bush administration will exert pressure on President Bush to recall his ambassador, cancel his visit to Beijing this fall, stop military exchanges, block China's entrance in the WTO, and impose sanctions to trade relations which amounted to $120 billion last year. President Bush thus has to take a tougher stance vis-a-vis Beijing, especially given the fact that people question his diplomatic skills and since it is his first real test. As always in case of a crisis, Americans rally around their president: 64 percent approve his reaction, 80 percent are worried for the crew, 54 percent are opposed to an apology, and 75 percent want to impose sanctions."
CZECH REPUBLIC: "China Bares Its Teeth"
Milan Vodicka commented in right-of-center MF Dnes (4/10): "China wants to be considered a regional superpower.... Bush's ill-judged remarks that he wants to limit the U.S. presence in the world might play a role too.... [President Bush] is leading the most powerful and strongest country of the world, but China is now keeping his people in prison, and he can do almost nothing.... For American businessmen China is a partner, while it remains a rival for politicians and soldiers. Welcome to the complicated...world of the 21st century."
HUNGARY: "High Stakes For Taiwan And All Of Asia-Pacific"
Senior columnist Janos Avar noted in an op-ed piece in the Sunday Vasarnapi Hirek (4/8): "The new president of the United States, looking down not only on the EU but also ex-superpower Russia, sees only the emergent China as a challenge.... Now Asia has overtaken Europe as is shown in the White House's handling of this unexpected conflict. Although the U.S.-China tug-of-war seems to be about the reconnaissance plane and the crew that is being held hostage, the stake indeed is the future of Taiwan and the prospects for the region."
LITHUANIA: "Two Giants Collided On Hainan Island"
Ricardas Gavelis, political analyst for second most widely circulated national Respublika, wrote (4/9): "U.S. propaganda convinced the world that the airplane was flying in a neutral air zone and that the awful Chinese attacked it without a reason. This is almost true, but not quite. The aforementioned neutral air zone was the border of the China itself. If a Chinese airplane were to show up that close to U.S. territory, it would most likely be shot down without any ceremony.... When thinking naively, everything can be evaluated primitively. The Chinese are the bad guys, who violate human rights and in general are suspiciously yellow, while the Americans are the awesome guys.... Unfortunately, everything in the world is not so simple--especially in international relations. In short, it would be better if the Hainan Island did not exist at all."
MALTA: "Bush's Cold War Foreign Policy"
The editor of the English-language, independent weekly Malta Independent maintained (4/9): "President Bush is now facing his first major foreign policy test of his presidency, the dispute with China over the downed U.S. spy plane over Chinese territory. He has to proceed with caution and whatever he does he must keep in mind that strong U.S.-Sino relations are absolutely crucial to a stable and peaceful world order. Perhaps his father should give him a call and offer some advice."
POLAND: "The Chinese Puzzle"
Lukasz Warzecha mused in right-of-center Zycie (4/10): "The White House understands very well that the weight of [U.S.] foreign policy is shifting from Europe to Asia, with China being the most serious candidate for world power status.... Until now, though, this [policy] transformation was mainly a matter of rhetoric and not concrete action.... The EP-3 incident will force the new administration to turn rhetoric into concrete steps."
ROMANIA: "Crisis Mode"
M. Hareshian penned this editorial in the English-language Nice O'Clock (4/9): "It is noteworthy that, since the installation of the Bush administration, the relations between [the United States and China] have had a negative dynamic.... Are China and the United States heading for a Cold War after the recent incident?... What is obvious for the time being is the fact that relations between the two states are undergoing a crisis and have become very fragile, prone to dangerous turns. The current phase of the crisis will be surpassed, no doubt, one way or the other, but it will have lasting consequences... It is, however, clear that the main players in the Pacific region are and will be for the forthcoming decades the United States and China."
SLOVENIA: "www.coldwar.com"
Left-of-center Delo held (4/7), "The [Bush] administration came to the White House without a clear foreign policy concept.... Its first contours were reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s.... However, announcements of a [new] Cold War were verbal rather than practical.... It was hard to believe that they were serious. Then, the Cold War sneaked up from behind. A co-actor appeared in the South China Sea where no worsening of relations had been expected.... In the conflict with China, the Cold War assumed comical proportions.... The spy aircraft...was built by Lockheed Martin which [cooperates economically with China].... Bill Clinton quickly found solutions for such paradoxes. In his strategic decisions, he gave priority to economic relations over ideological consideration. The Bush administration...talks as if it was giving priority to ideological considerations.... This is a basis for a Cold War which the American arms industry wishes.... Bush must repay his election campaign debts.... Armament industry needs an enemy...while the [country's] global interest demands reliable trade partners and a peaceful atmosphere; to do business with an enemy is high treason. If Bush successfully resolves this paradox he may even become a great president."
SPAIN: "Beijing's Shadow"
A signed column in left-of-center El Pais commented (4/10): "What China's president and all mainland Chinese want is to resolve China's division from Taiwan once and for all.... This is one of the most important points to justify the ongoing, strange crisis between Washington and Beijing. Bush cannot come up with a solution to the crisis, as both the economic and military interests of the United States in Taiwan are still very strong. The spy plane incident has been a pretext for these differences to resurface. The differences are very strong and prove that American hegemony is not accepted [by China]. The crisis is grave, more for what it suggests about the future, than about the situation of the crew."
TURKEY: "U.S.-China"
Turgut Tarhanli wrote in intellectual/opinion-maker Radikal (4/10): "The U.S. plane was not flying for purely civilian purposes and its action had some strategic implications. Therefore, China's argument in this case is becoming stronger. The whole incident is a sovereignty violation."
SOUTH ASIA
BANGLADESH: "U.S.-China Relations Must Not Be Damaged"
The conservative, English-language New Nation contended (4/10): "China's asking for an apology on this incident reminds one of the Kosovo crisis, when U.S. fighter jets damaged the Chinese Embassy during their air raids on Belgrade a year ago and that, too, briefly strained relations. However, we welcome the efforts initiated by Washington and Beijing with the hope that both countries will resolve the crisis by expediting the process for maintaining good relations between them--which the world needs at this critical juncture for global peace and stability."
INDIA: "U.S., China Plan Joint Probe"
Washington correspondent Sridhar Krishnaswami put forth this analysis in the centrist Hindu (4/8): "The United States and China are said to be working on the precise details of resolving the stand-off.... What is likely to emerge is a situation in which both sides can claim victory.... The Chinese, for instance, will claim that the Americans, by agreeing to an investigation, have conceded wrongdoing on their parts. The Bush administration will then have the opportunity to say that it offered no apology and merely expressions of regret for the loss of the Chinese pilot and aircraft.... The worrisome part of the ongoing stand-off is not the Bush administration upping the ante; rather in its hand being forced by law makers on Capitol Hill who are simply appalled at what has been going on in the last week."
"Power Projections"
Pundit K. Subrahmanyam indicated in the centrist Times of India (4/8): "Chinese proliferation and the U.S. reaction to it are of grave security concern to India. The widely advocated thesis in India that China's reaction to the national missile defense would result in an India-China arms race is a totally untenable one. India's minimum credible deterrent posture will not need revision whether China has 30 or 300 missiles capable of reaching the United States. What would cause worry to India is the possible Chinese proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies to more countries in the Middle East. That, in fact, is America's worry when it talks of 'states of concern' acquiring missiles and weapons of mass destruction. But it is reluctant to say openly that such a threat might originate from China. An open admission to this effect would mean recognition that the NPT regime has collapsed. As of now, the United States is not willing to face this reality publicly. But that is what is implied in the new defense policy."
PAKISTAN: "Flexing Of Muscles"
Karachi-based, independent Dawn stressed (4/10): "If the Chinese are demanding an apology, it is understandable. The fact is that in recent years the United States has tested Beijing's political will and military strength on a number of occasions.... The Chinese response appears remarkably mild.... The Bush presidency seems set on establishing American 'unilateralism'--a conscious decision to put America first at any cost. It is of no concern to Washington that this approach smacks of arrogance and is reminiscent of the gunboat diplomacy of the colonial age. President Bush's relentless drive for the [NMD] system...and his renunciation of the Kyoto treaty on the environment have negated Clinton's consensus and alliance-building style."
SRI LANKA: "Matter Of Prestige"
An editorial in the opposition, English-language Island observed (4/10): "Perhaps, the United States thinks that by expressing regret over the loss of the Chinese pilot they have met the Chinese halfway. That, however, would not have been the attitude had a Chinese spy plane been found anywhere near the borders of the United States. But this is now a world where the sole superpower calls the shots. China, though no nation to trifle with, has much to lose if relations deteriorate-membership in the WTO as well as chances of Beijing hosting the 2008 Olympics. The United States, too, has an eye on the 1-billion populous Chinese market. That is why sparks are not flying between Washington and Beijing."
MIDDLE EAST
EGYPT: "In Clear Chinese"
Ahmed Hassan, columnist for pro-government Al Akhbar, held (4/10): "[Chinese citizens] realize that Congress, which is insolent about giving aid to others, will not dare ask the current administration to review its trade relations with China because this is an issue of business.... The Chinese dragon does not have to dance to American tunes because his country is not a meager element in the American new world order."
KUWAIT: "Back To The Future"
Sami Abdul-Latif Al-Nusf argued in independent Al-Anba (4/8): "The Bush administration has made a quick return to the Cold War era by creating crises with Russia, Europe and the world at large. The most recent of these crises was the American surveillance plane that fell over China. Had the United States really wanted the quick release of its plane and crew, it should have threatened to stop all commercial transactions with China, America's major partner, especially since China could collapse following such a threat. It is strange that China, a country that supports the Iraqi position, demands a public apology from the world's strongest country at a time when it will not accept our calls for Iraq's apology for the invasion of Kuwait. The Chinese government is sending tens of battleships to search for one Chinese pilot, yet it denies us the right to search for our POWs who constitute one percent of Kuwait's population."
SYRIA: "The Crisis Between Beijing And Washington"
Mohammed al-Khoder opined in government-owned Al-Ba'th (4/10): "The American refusal to admit any wrongdoing in the case of the American spy plane comes as another indicator of the inclinations of President Bush's administration with regard to foreign affairs. This follows two noticeable positions taken by the administration with Moscow and the expulsion of its diplomats, and with the EU when (Washington) refused to sign the Kyoto agreement.... These egregious positions infuriated U.S. allies and friends, [while] American arrogance in the spy plane issue constitutes a grave challenge to the values, the customs, and the principles governing relations of states."
AFRICA
CAMEROON: "The Lesson Of Official Apologies"
Editor-in-chief Edmond Kamguia opined in Douala's opposition, French-language La Nouvelle Expression (4/9): "The crisis between officials in Washington and those of Beijing...reveals the persistence of practices that were common during the Cold War.... The fact is that the Republicans who have just reconquered the White House don't want to admit guilt or be seen as weak vis-a-vis a country that Washington constantly condemns in the field of human rights. It is not easy for the United States as the preeminent (if not the only) superpower and world policeman to bow down and make a mea culpa."
SOUTH AFRICA: "Spy Plane"
The liberal, independent Natal Witness concluded (4/9): "It is not comforting when two of the world's greatest powers are at loggerheads. Considering that they were the ones being spied on, the Chinese have good cause to be aggrieved and to resist American efforts to sweep the affair under the carpet and move on. If the positions were reversed, Washington would no doubt be equally affronted. Remembering how important it is in the East not to lose face, the Americans would do well to make an apology although the Chinese pilot may have been over-zealous."
WESTERN HEMISPHERE
CANADA: "So Far, U.S. Offers Regrets, Not Threats"
Peter Worthington wrote in the right-of-center Toronto Sun (4/10): "George Bush should warn China it risks losing the 2008 Olympics. If I were Dubya, I'd tell my people who are quietly negotiating with the Chinese to say that unless the American captives are released--after China has satisfied its ego that it HAs been resolute--America is going to pressure the International Olympic Committee to reject Beijing for the 2008 Olympics."
BRAZIL: "Games Of Conflict"
Conservative O Globo's editorial suggested (4/9): "While biased versions prevail, it is difficult to know if there has been incompetence or provocation, and if the Chinese demand for a formal apology is acceptable.... What one cannot ignore, is the possibility of a deliberate attack. There are at least 50 U.S. aircraft flying over the Chinese coast in espionage missions, and the Chinese aviators have always kept prudent distance from spies. It couldn't have been a mere coincidence that the collision came at the precise moment when the new U.S. government is getting tougher with Beijing."
CHILE: "Tension Between China And The U.S."
Government-owned, but editorially independent La Nacion carried this editorial (4/9): "For both countries, the issue is how to get out of this entanglement without paying too great a cost in credibility.... The U.S. position isn't too strong in this case. As a matter of fact, the unscrupulousness in which its military forces act to safeguard their vigilance over the whole planet is quite evident. The incident confirms that the United States has conferred upon itself the role of global policeman based exclusively on its strategic needs.... It would be regrettable if the principles of self-determination and non-intervention become dead letters in today's world, and that respect for sovereignty becomes old-fashioned."
COLOMBIA: "Great Power Relations"
Leading El Tiempo observed (4/8): "Although China and the United States aren't allies and many differences divide them, a deterioration in their relationship benefits neither of them."
##
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
