VFM YANG JIECHI CONFIRMS MFA REORGANIZATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 001159 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR DENNIS WILDER E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/18/2016 TAGS: PREL PROV CH SUBJECT: VFM YANG JIECHI CONFIRMS MFA REORGANIZATION Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission David Sedney. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) VFM Yang Jiechi confirmed to A/S Hill that a reshuffle at the top level of the MFA is underway. During a meeting January 18, Yang said Director General of Asian Affairs Cui Tiankai has been promoted to Assistant Foreign Minister where he will oversee the International Organizations and Arms Control departments, which gives Cui responsibility for the Iranian nuclear issue. Cui will continue to assist on the Six-Party Talks. Director General of North American and Oceanian Affairs He Yafei has also been promoted to Assistant Foreign Minister where he will oversee the External Security, Protocol and Consular Departments. He will continue to assist VM Yang on North American Affairs. Their replacements as directors general should be named within two weeks. ¶2. (C) Assistant Minister Lu Guozheng has been promoted to Vice Minister and will continue to oversee the West Asia and North African as well as the African Affairs Departments. Assistant Minister Li Jinzheng has been promoted to Vice Minister as well and will be responsible for Latin American affairs, as well as administration, finance and logistics. Li is known for his Spanish language skills, according to VM Yang. ¶3. (C) In a separate meeting with the DCM on January 18, He Yafei clarified that he would continue to occupy his current post as DG for North America and Oceania Affairs while the Foreign Ministry searches for a successor. Nonetheless, even after a new DG is designated, DG He confirmed that he will continue to oversee North America and Oceania Affairs in conjunction with VFM Yang. Randt