Chinese Sphere: Obama's First 100 Days

Views of President Obama’s first 100 days in office have been positive overall in the Chinese-language media. The Global Times, a subsidiary of the Chinese government’s official newspaper, People’s Daily, published the comments below from Wu Xinbo, Associate Dean of Fudan University’s International Relations and Public Affairs Institute:

Upon Obama’s assumption of office, Sino-U.S. relations underwent a stable transition and embarked on a new development track. This never happened in the past. At the outset of the Clinton and Bush presidencies, Sino-U.S. relations experienced great turmoil. However, it is different with Obama. This is primarily because the Obama administration sees China as part of the solution to the problem rather than as part of the problem itself. This is a positive sign.

An editorial in the Sing Tao Daily, Hong Kong’s second largest newspaper, has this to say about Obama’s foreign policy:

Obama’s “smart power” diplomacy has shattered Bush’s militaristic unilateralism. This has been regarded favorably worldwide. He laid out a clear timetable for troop withdrawal from Iraq and even drew a clear line between himself and some of the Bush administration’s policies that violated human rights and ethics. This included closing down the Guantanamo detention center in Cuba and publicizing information about prisoner abuse.”

Singapore’s largest Chinese-language newspaper, Lianhe Zaobao, feels that Obama’s “rock-star quality” is a valuable political resource for the U.S.:

Wherever he goes he is like a rock star: people go crazy and the media swoon for him. … For Obama, no matter how opposing one’s ideological stance may be, people generally admit that he is a sincere person. This kind of packaging practically speaking is a very valuable political resource. No matter whether domestic or international, the public feels that he is a rare leader and is willing to give him a chance. Especially in light of the mess that Bush left behind, people are even more willing to sympathize with the new president.