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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 002079 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR, 
EAP/J, EAP/P, PM; 
USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; 
TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI; 
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA; 
CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE; 
PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION  US-CHINA RELATIONS - TOKYO 
 
LEAD STORIES: Most Tuesday morning papers front-paged 
reports concerning surging oil prices in London and New 
York, with crude oil futures hitting 71 USD a barrel in 
London and 70 USD in New York. 
 
¶1. Three major dailies gave inside-page coverage to 
President Hu's visit to the US. There were no immediate 
editorials or commentaries. 
 
¶2. "Beijing Trying to Prevent Trade Friction from 
Escalating Before Hu's Talks With Bush" The Beijing and 
Washington correspondents of the liberal Asahi commented 
(4/18): "Beijing is eager to prevent US-China trade 
friction from escalating ahead of President Hu's talks 
with President Bush Thursday. The Chinese government is 
reviewing its monetary system and protections for 
intellectual property rights in an attempt to head off 
rising sentiment in the US, particularly in Congress, in 
favor of sanctions on China, whose trade surplus with the 
US exceeded 200 billion USD last year. With a mid-term 
election in November, the Bush administration is placing 
high expectations on more concrete trade developments at 
the Bush-Hu meeting." 
 
¶3. "Can US and China Build a New Era of Relations?" 
Correspondent Nishioka of the liberal Mainichi observed 
(4/18): "Chinese President Hu will make a formal visit to 
the US starting on Tuesday. At his talks with President 
Bush at the White House on Thursday, the two leaders are 
expected to discuss a wide range of concerns, including 
bilateral trade friction, Taiwan, and the North Korean 
and Iranian nuclear issues. It is likely that they will 
conduct a dialogue that will lead to a new era of 
relations between China, the world's largest and fastest- 
developing nation, and the US, the sole superpower." 
 
¶4. "How Will Beijing Ease US Concerns over Trade 
Imbalance, Arms Buildup, and Human Rights Abuses?" 
Beijing correspondent Ito of the conservative Sankei 
commented (4/18): "During President Hu's visit to the US 
from Tuesday through Friday, he will meet with President 
Bush and speak at Yale University. A senior Chinese 
Foreign Ministry official reportedly said that during his 
stay in the US, Hu will promote a constructive strategic 
partnership with the US by trying to reduce sources of 
bilateral friction, including the trade imbalance, and 
demonstrating a cooperative stance on the Iran and North 
Korea issues. Attention is focusing on the extent to 
which the Chinese president will be able to ease deep- 
rooted US concern over China's economic expansion and its 
arms buildup." 
 
¶5. "At Odds over US Treatment of President Hu" Sankei's 
Washington correspondent Arimoto commented (4/18): "The 
US and China were at odds over how the White House would 
treat Chinese President Hu during his visit to the US. 
White House press secretary McClellan made clear that the 
White House had designated this a 'formal' visit, thus 
meaning that there would be no dinner held at the White 
House in Hu's honor. The US move may reflect delicate US- 
China relations over human rights and other issues, even 
though bilateral economic ties are deepening." 
 
¶6. "A 'Souvenir' for Bush" Quasi-governmental NHK-TV's 
commentator Hayashi observed (4/18): "Before President 
Hu's visit to the US, Beijing sent a mission of more than 
200 Chinese officials to America to purchase 80 
commercial aircraft. The mission has reportedly concluded 
 
TOKYO 00002079  002 OF 002 
 
 
an agreement to purchase US industrial and other products 
worth 16 billion USD. Beijing has also agreed to resume 
US beef imports. Hu will take these trade accords to 
President Bush as a 'souvenir' in the hopes of making 
their talks a success and to demonstrate a new 
cooperative relationship with the US. The improvement of 
China's relations with the US would strengthen Hu's 
political base at home." 
 
SCHIEFFER