DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON PROPOSAL FOR U.S.-CHINA

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 019895 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2026 TAGS: PARM KNNP CH SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON PROPOSAL FOR U.S.-CHINA SECURITY DIALOGUE REF: STATE 153937 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission David S. Sedney. Reasons 1.4 (b /d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai will review the letter from U/S Joseph and the accompanying concept paper and the Chinese Government will respond, Deputy Director General for Arms Control and Disarmament Wu Haitao stated in response to Polmincouns' delivery of reftel messages on September 19. (With the Ambassador traveling outside Beijing, the MFA indicated that Cui was unavailable but Wu should receive the message.) Wu, stressing that he was raising a separate matter, expressed Beijing's disappointment at U.S. sanctions against Chinese entities. He criticized the recent testimony of U.S. officials before the U.S.-China Economic Security Review Commission on nonproliferation. Polmincouns said the testimony reflects USG views and Beijing should do more to prevent proliferation. End Summary. Letter, Concept Paper Delivered -------------- ¶2. (C) In response to Polmincouns' delivery of reftel messages on September 19, Deputy Director General for Arms Control and Disarmament Wu Haitao said he would pass the letter from Under Secretary Joseph proposing a reinvigorated U.S.-China Security Dialogue and the accompanying concept paper to Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai for review and that the Chinese Government would respond. (Note: With the Ambassador traveling outside Beijing, the MFA indicated that Cui was unavailable but Wu should receive the USG message.) Wu noted that AFM Cui is very busy covering sensitive and critical issues. Polmincouns stressed the importance the USG attaches to our proposal for a reinvigorated U.S.-China Security Dialogue. China's "Extreme Disappointment" Over Sanctions -------------- -- ¶3. (C) Wu, emphasizing that he was raising a separate matter, expressed Beijing's "extreme disappointment" at U.S. sanctions against Chinese entities under Executive Order ¶13382. The United States and China should not only be responsible stakeholders but constructive strategic partners on nonproliferation and counterterrorism. Beijing is carefully considering bilateral interactions on these issues given "recent U.S. measures." Insisting that China's past cooperation with the United States has helped not only the bilateral relationship but also international nonproliferation efforts, Wu said he does not understand why the United States has taken the actions it has. "China is hurt, especially those of us working hard to advance nonproliferation," said Wu. Chinese Concerns About Testimony -------------- ¶4. (C) Beijing is examining carefully the recent testimony of U.S. officials before the U.S.-China Economic Security Review Commission and is carefully reconsidering how China will work with the United States in the future, according to Wu. Wu claimed Beijing took particular exception to the way the word "proliferator" was used in the testimony, saying "this word we cannot accept." Claims that Beijing is not fully meeting its commitments under the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) are "not true" stated the DDG. U.S. Response: China Should Do More -------------- ¶5. (C) Polmincouns said the testimony reflects USG views. Beijing should do more to enforce its nonproliferation commitments with regard to the actions by the Chinese entities that have been designated under Executive Order ¶13382. USG views on China's record on BW and CW issues are the views outlined in the September 14 testimony, Polmincouns affirmed. Separate Matters -------------- ¶6. (C) Wu again stressed as the meeting concluded that his concerns about the USG testimony and the USG's designation of Chinese entities are separate from the matter of how China will respond to the USG proposal for a reinvigorated U.S.-China Security Dialogue. RANDT