2/8/2010 ‘US, China headed for Cold War’

Publication: Times of India Mumbai;Date: Feb 8, 2010;Section: Times Global;Page: 20

‘US, China headed for Cold War’

Hawks Spoil For A Fight As Citizens Predict Showdown
Michael Sheridan

More than half of Chinese people questioned in a poll believe China and America are heading for a new “cold war”.

The finding came after battles over Taiwan, Tibet, climate change, internet freedom and human rights which have
poisoned relations in the three months since President Barack Obama made a fruitless visit to Beijing.

According to diplomatic sources, a rancorous post mortem examination is under way inside the US government,
led by officials who think the president was badly advised and was made to appear weak.

In China’s eyes, the American response—which includes a pledge by Obama to get tougher on trade—is a
reaction against its rising power. Now, almost 55% of those questioned for Global Times, a state-run newspaper,
agree that “a cold war will break out between the US and China”.

An independent survey of Chinese-language media for The Sunday Times has found army and navy officers
predicting a military showdown and political leaders calling for China to sell more arms to America’s foes. The trigger
for their fury was Obama’s decision to sell $6.4 billion worth of weapons to Taiwan.

“We should retaliate with an eye for an eye and sell arms to Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba and Venezuela,”
declared Liu Menxiong, a member of the Chinese people’s political consultative conference. He added: “We have
nothing to be afraid of. The North Koreans have stood up to America and has anything happened to them? No. Iran
stands up to America and does disaster befall it? No.”

But Chinese analysts think the leadership may go further. “This time China must punish the US,” said major-
general Yang Yi. A People’s Liberation Army strategist, Colonel Meng Xianging, said China would “qualitatively
upgrade” its military over the next 10 years to force a showdown “when we’re strong enough for a handto-hand fight
with the US”.

After Obama’s visit, diplomats say they have been told that there was “frigid” personal chemistry between him and
President Hu Jintao. Chinese officials argued over every item of protocol, rigged a town hall meeting with a pre-
selected audience, censored the only interview Obama gave.

Then came Copenhagen, where Obama virtually had to force his way with his bodyguards into a room where
Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, was trying to strike a deal behind his back.

But there are a few voices urging caution on Chinese public opinion. Wang Yusheng, a retired diplomat, wrote an
article in the China Daily, warning that China was not as rich or as powerful as US and that such a move could be
“hazardous”. It is not clear whether Beijing is listening. SUNDAY TIMES

Fight Club

The battles over Taiwan, Tibet, trade, climate change, internet freedom and human rights have poisoned
the relations between the United States and China

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2/8/2010 ‘US, China headed for Cold War’
In a recent poll, more than half of Chinese people questioned said that China and America are heading for
a new ‘cold war’

An independent survey of Chinese-language media found army and navy officers predicting a military
showdown between the giants and political leaders calling for China to sell more arms to America’s foes

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