AMBASSADOR AND ZHENG BIJIAN DISCUSS CHINA'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 013010 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2031 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR PHUM CH SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND ZHENG BIJIAN DISCUSS CHINA'S DEVELOPMENT, BILATERAL RELATIONS Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr. Reasons 1.4 (b,d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) China Reform Forum Chairman Zheng Bijian advocated regular discussions to enhance strategic trust during a June 16 lunch meeting with the Ambassador. Americans believe in establishing trust through concrete actions and, while dialogue is necessary, it is not a substitute for results, the Ambassador responded. Working together to resolve concrete problems like nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea is the surest way to build bilateral trust. The Ambassador noted the importance of human rights issues for the relationship and urged that China make this a high priority. Zheng cautioned that rhetoric is important and if not used carefully, can "lead to problems." He reiterated his view that the Chinese military is generations behind the U.S. military and stated that China has no interest in supplanting the strategic position of the United States in Asia. ¶2. (C) Zheng described China's development strategy as industrialization, urbanization, marketization and globalization. Over the next thirty years, China will encourage the development of 15 city clusters that will absorb 300 million rural residents. This transition will be unprecedented, requiring careful attention to social cohesion, provisions for a social security system and better educating new city dwellers, Zheng stated. Zheng concluded by noting that China will welcome active U.S. participation and engagement in this process, which will produce a large domestic consumer market and encourage China's further openness. End summary. ¶3. (C) China Reform Forum Chairman Zheng Bijian advocated increased discussions to enhance strategic trust during a June 16 lunch meeting with the Ambassador. Citing the successful meeting organized by his Forum in Seattle during President Hu's April visit, Zheng commented that, in addition to a discussion of individual issues, the bilateral relationship would benefit from a parallel discourse about overarching strategic interests. Ongoing discussions could help deepen the consensus on the future of the relationship and, in turn, help to solve some of the specific issues. During President Hu's visit, Hu stated that the relationship should go beyond one of stakeholders to one of "constructive cooperators," Zheng noted. Trust Through Progress -------------- ¶4. (C) The Ambassador observed that Americans believe in establishing trust through concrete actions and, while dialogue is necessary, it is not a substitute for results. The United States and China have many common interests and problems, many of which need to be addressed in the near term and will require active and close cooperation. How the United States and China go forward with efforts to curb Iran's nuclear program, for example, will be very important. North Korean preparations for a missile launch make our heightened cooperation and efforts to address the North Korean nuclear program even more urgent and crucial. In discussions of China's role as a responsible stakeholder in the international system, the issues of Iran and North Korea emerge as the most important immediate examples of issues on which we see China's cooperation making a crucial difference in helping to solve difficult international problems, the Ambassador said. ¶5. (C) The Ambassador agreed, however, that strategic discussions are important. President Bush is very supportive of the Senior Dialogue that has been established between the Deputy Secretary and Executive Vice Foreign Minister Dai and we expect it will continue, the Ambassador said. Zheng welcomed this and pointed out that President Nixon and Chairman Mao Zedong had made decisions to advance U.S.-China relations based on strategic calculations at a time when there were many specific differences between the two countries. We should learn from the past and maintain a strategic view of relations, he observed. BEIJING 00013010 002 OF 003 ¶6. (C) The Ambassador stressed that in a democracy like the United States, foreign policy requires support from the general public. While we recognize the importance of strategic interests, we nevertheless must ensure that policies have the requisite popular support. In this vein, the issue of human rights is very important. While China has made progress in this area since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Americans and President Bush himself feel very strongly about respect for human rights and religious freedom. If China chooses not to cooperate with the U.S. on sensitive human rights and religious freedom issues, they will become bigger and bigger problems and limit progress in our overall bilateral relations. Military Transparency -------------- ¶7. (C) Zheng responded that China's progress on human rights in the last fifteen years is unprecedented. This progress is irreversible and will continue, he stated. China is serious about establishing a "harmonious society," Zheng said, noting that this is not a mere slogan. He complained that Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld's remarks at the Shangri-la forum in Singapore stressed suspicion of China's growing military power, although he noted that the tone of the China-related portion of the remarks was milder than last year. ¶8. (C) The Ambassador noted that, in the absence of a clear understanding of China's military buildup and the doctrine that supports it, the only reasonable response is for other countries, particularly their militaries, to prepare for the worst. Increased transparency about China's military buildup would help to assuage suspicions about China's intentions. Zheng said he had noticed plans for increased military-to- military exchanges, including the U.S. invitation to observe exercises on Guam, which he welcomed. The United States maintains strategic dominance in the region and China has no plans to supplant the United States in this role. The U.S. military is three generations ahead of the Chinese military in many areas, such as fighter planes. In some areas, like aircraft carriers, China is not even a player. Zheng noted that he personally did not believe that China should pursue acquisition of an aircraft carrier, as it does not "have the capability" to use one. Furthermore, "what good did they do the Soviet Union?" he asked rhetorically. China's Development Path -------------- ¶9. (C) China does not seek to supplant the United States, but will have to concentrate on its own development, "redrawing the map of China," in Zheng's words. To do this, China will focus on industrialization, urbanization, marketization and globalization with the ultimate goal of rejuvenating Chinese civilization. Development of industry and moving China's rural population into the cities will help to improve living standards and improve the level of civilization. China is currently developing three major city clusters in the Pearl River Delta, the Yangtze River Delta and in the Bohai Sea region (including Beijing and Tianjin) to act as growth engines for the economy. Three more emerging coastal city clusters are Dalian, the Shandong Peninsula and southeastern Fujian (the Taiwan Strait). Over the next 30 years, China will work to develop 9 more city clusters in central and western China, with the goal of reaching 70 percent urbanization (from the current 40 percent) and resettling 300 million rural dwellers. ¶10. (C) In the meantime, China must pay close attention to gaps between East and West, urban and rural and rich and poor. Tensions between groups are evident, and while the gaps cannot be completely leveled, China must maintain social cohesion. A major weakness is the underdeveloped social security infrastructure and low rate of coverage. The resettlement of 300 million rural dwellers would be a feat unprecedented in China or the world, Zheng noted. ¶11. (C) If social security, health care and education for the urban population can be assured, China's urban residents will become a powerful consumer force, which will aid the development of China's marketization. To accomplish this, China must continue its opening to BEIJING 00013010 003 OF 003 the outside world and embrace of globalization. China will continue to seek to attract foreign capital, but will also seek overseas investments. Zheng concluded by noting that China will need continued U.S. engagement and support in its efforts to "redraw its own map." RANDT