VZCZCXYZ0003
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIN #0534 1240926
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 040926Z MAY 09
FM AIT TAIPEI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1512
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9155
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 0590

UNCLAS AIT TAIPEI 000534 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EAP/TC, EAP/PA, EAP/PD - NIDA EMMONS 
DEPARTMENT PASS AIT/WASHINGTON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO TW
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: 100 DAYS OF THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION 
 
Summary:  Taiwan's major Chinese-language dailies focused May 2-4 
news coverage on the upgraded international alert on the H1N1 flu 
outbreak and the Taiwan government's anti-epidemic plan; on 
developments in cross-Strait relations; and on the May 1 report 
released by Freedom House which shows that Taiwan has dropped 11 
spots in its press freedom ranking.  In terms of editorials and 
commentaries, an op-ed in the centrist, KMT-leaning "China Times" 
discussed the 100 days of the Obama Administration.  The article 
said that U.S. President Barack Obama's unique democratic 
cultivation and his move discuss "values" have gradually recovered 
the United States' international position and generated a new world 
order.  End summary. 
 
"Moving from Hard Democracy to Soft Democracy" 
 
Professor Lii Ding-tzann of National Tsing-hua University's 
Institute of Sociology, opined in the centrist, KMT-leaning "China 
Times" [circulation: 130,000] (5/4): 
 
"U.S. President Barack Obama has assumed office for 100 days now. 
Even though he is still battling bravely against economic problems, 
he and his unique democratic cultivation are silently changing the 
United States' relations with the rest of the world.  The eight-year 
term of office of President George W. Bush has not only turned world 
economics upside down but also led the United States to isolation, 
severely damaging its hegemony status.  But within just 100 days, 
Obama has gradually recovered the United States' position in the 
international community and thereby generated a new world order. 
Some people said it was because of his personal charisma, but more 
precisely, it should be his unique cultivation of soft democracy. 
... 
 
"Obama's charisma, in addition to his [attempt to] fulfill soft 
democracy, should also be attributed to the fact that he brought up 
the discussion of 'values,' such as global non-proliferation and the 
slowing down of global warming, in the international community, 
which is well-known for power confrontation.  He showed us a vision 
and a way [out of the predicament] in the reality of the 
international situation. ...  Via soft democracy, Obama listens, 
shows respect, and engages in dialogue and cooperation; [what he 
does shows that] there is possibility that these values will be 
fulfilled. ..." 
 
YOUNG