CHINESE ON NORTH KOREA AND THE UNSYG CANDIDATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 004803 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV UN CH TH KN SUBJECT: CHINESE ON NORTH KOREA AND THE UNSYG CANDIDATE REF: BANGKOK 4742 Classified By: Political Officer Mark B. Lambert, Reasons 1.4 (B) (D) ¶1. (C) As part of AmEmbassy Bangkok's regular tea meetings with the Chinese, Chinese political officer Wang Shuai told Poloffs that North Korea is committed to the Six-Party Talks, but it may be "counter-productive" for the US to exert "negative pressure" on the regime to return to the negotiation table. He stated that China believes "friendly encouragement" may help prompt the DPRK to return to the talks sooner. Wang confirmed that Liu Xiaoming, an America-hand and former Chinese Ambassador to Egypt, has just been appointed to become the new PRC Ambassador to the DPRK. Wang suggested that Liu will be easier for the United States to work with given his background. A native of Shenyang, Liu has served in the PRC Embassy in Washington DC three times and received his graduate degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Foreign Affairs. ¶2. (C) Switching to the subject of UNSYG candidacy, Political Counselor Jiang Yili stated that China feels the next UN Secretary General "should be an Asian." She said that China is "looking favorably" at the Thai (and ASEAN) candidate, Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, and confirmed to Poloffs that this is "safe to report" back to DC. (Note: Although Wang agreed with Jiang's statement at the time, he later told Poloff in a separate one-on-one meeting that while China believes the next UN Secretary General should be Asian, China is not leaning toward any particular candidate. Wang said that China still welcomes other Asian candidates to apply. End Note.) ¶3. (C) Comment. Jiang's optimistic assessment of Surakiart's candidacy may be a reflection of "client-itis" on her part. Wang perhaps more accurately represents Beijing's position on the UNSYG candidate. End comment. ARVIZU