Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING20987
2006-09-29 14:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
BEIJING-BASED CHIEFS OF MISSION ON POSSIBLE HU-ABE
how-toVZCZCXRO4891 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #0987/01 2721405 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 291405Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8702 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN IMMEDIATE 1427 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 2947 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE 3910 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL IMMEDIATE 9555 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO IMMEDIATE 0891 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 1500
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 020987
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR WILDER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2026
TAGS: PREL PGOV CH FR GM JA UK EUN
SUBJECT: BEIJING-BASED CHIEFS OF MISSION ON POSSIBLE HU-ABE
MEETING, CHINA'S OFFER OF COMBAT TROOPS TO UNIFIL, XINHUA
REGULATIONS NOT GOING INTO FORCE
Classified By: Charge d'Affairs David S. Sedney. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 020987
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR WILDER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2026
TAGS: PREL PGOV CH FR GM JA UK EUN
SUBJECT: BEIJING-BASED CHIEFS OF MISSION ON POSSIBLE HU-ABE
MEETING, CHINA'S OFFER OF COMBAT TROOPS TO UNIFIL, XINHUA
REGULATIONS NOT GOING INTO FORCE
Classified By: Charge d'Affairs David S. Sedney. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Hopes are high for a pre-APEC meeting between
President Hu Jintao and newly-elected Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe, Japanese DCM Shinyichi Nishimiya said. No specific
agreements are in place. However, the Japanese viewed Hu's
recent acknowledgement that both countries needed to improve
relations as a good sign. China's initial offer to UNIFIL
included combat troops, UK Ambassador William Ehrman said,
but the offer was declined by the UN Department of
Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). China is prepared to offer
helicopters in the future for UN peacekeeping operations.
State Council Information Minister Wang Xudong indicated to
visiting UK Minister of Trade and Industry Patricia Hewitt
that the new Xinhua regulations regulating financial news
services would not come into force, Ambassador Ehrman said.
End Summary.
Participants
--------------
2. (C) German Ambassador Volker Stanzel, UK Ambassador
William Ehrman, Japanese DCM Shinyichi Nishimiya and the
Charge d'Affairs met September 28 for the bi-weekly G-5
gathering of Beijing-based Chiefs of Mission. (Note: The
Ambassador was out of Beijing. The French Ambassador and his
DCM were both out of Beijing and did not send a replacement.
End Note.)
(C) Hu and Abe, Roh and Abe: Meetings Imminent
-------------- -
3. (C) Hopes are high for a meeting between Chinese President
Hu Jintao and newly-elected Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe in the run up to APEC, Japanese DCM Shinyichi Nishimiya
said. The Japanese have proposed to reopen dialogue between
Japan and China at the top level and Nishimiya hinted
strongly that a visit was even possible earlier than
"pre-APEC." While there is not yet agreement, Japanese
Foreign Minister Taro Aso and Chief Cabinet Secretary
Yasuhisa Shiozaki are sending positive signals for the
resumption of high-level dialogue. Hu's congratulatory
teegram to Abe after the election placing responsibility on
both parties to improve the relationship is viewed by
Japanese officials as an encouraging improvement.
4. (C) PM Abe called South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun two
days ago and they agreed to meet at an early occasion,
possibly at APEC. Nishimiya said that earlier options are
quite possible.
(C) China Offered Combat Troops to UNIFIL
--------------
5. (C) A working-level UK Ministry of Defense delegation
visiting to talk defense policies was told that China's
initial offer to UNIFIL included combat troops, Ambassador
Ehrman said. This was the first time China had offered
combat troops for UN peacekeeping efforts, however, the UN
DPKO did not need any Chinese combat troops at the time. The
PLA confirmed the report to the UK attache that this was the
first time China had offered the UN combat troops and added
that China is prepared to offer helicopters for future UN
peacekeeping operations. The UK is considering training
Chinese helicopter pilots in English, as their inability to
speak English is a major impediment to their participation in
UN peacekeeping efforts.
(C) Draft Xinhua Regulations May Not Come into Force
-------------- --------------
6. (C) UK Minister of Trade and Industry Patricia Hewitt
asked State Council Information Minister Wang Xudong during
September 19-22 bilateral meetings in Beijing whether Premier
Wen Jiabao's public and private comments in London September
12 reassuring international financial news agencies -- and
more specifically, Reuters -- that new Xinhua regulations
would not affect their existing business in China were
accurate, Ambassador Ehrman said. Wang told Hewitt that
BEIJING 00020987 002 OF 003
Wen's comments reflected the policies of the Chinese
government as a whole and that the new regulations would not
affect Reuter's existing business or practices. Hewitt
pressed Wang, noting that as written the regulations would
clearly interfere with Reuter's business in China. Hewitt
asked if this response meant the Xinhua draft regulations
would not come into force. Wang again repeated his prior
statement.
Chen's Dismissal, Bo's Rise and other Rumors
--------------
7. (C) Attendees discussed the recent sacking of Shanghai
Party Secretary Chen Liangyu, touched on the upcoming plenary
session of the CPC Central Committee, Premier Wen's
continuance in office and whether or not President Hu is
firmly in control. Nishimiya said that former Shanghai Party
Secretary and Politburo Standing Committee member Huang Ju
SIPDIS
was ill and unlikely to be arrested, despite his own
involvement in the corruption scandal.
8. (C) All had heard various rumors that Bo Xilai was on the
way up or not likely to be promoted, though all agreed the
source of these rumors appeared to be Bo himself, including
Japanese reports that he would be the next Foreign Minister.
The Japanese and Germans reported that Bo was viewed as too
aggressive and self promoting and is widely disliked. Some
Chinese contacts say Wen's tenure as Premier after 2007 is in
question, if not up for grabs.
Japan Delivers at Hunan Exposition
--------------
9. (C) In his final act as Japanese Trade Minister, Toshihiro
Nikai brought 1,000 Japanese businessmen to the International
Investment and Trade Exposition in Changsha, Hunan Province,
according to Nishimiya. The exposition was hosted by Vice
Minister Wu Yi and Trade Minister Bo Xilai. As a nod to his
friendship with Bo, Nikai delivered the large Japanese
presence at the exposition in Wu's home province. The next
day Nikai flew to Tokyo and handed in his resignation.
German Transportation Meetings End Prematurely
-------------- -
10. (C) Ambassador Stanzel related the details of the
truncated visit by German Minister of Transportation Wolfgang
Tiefensee September 19 to 22. Tiefensee's meeting with
Chinese Minister of Railways Liu Zhijun took place at the
exact time as the fatal maglev train accident near Lathen,
Germany. Tiefensee's staff repeatedly interrupted with
updates and eventually Tiefensee decided to cut his trip
short, returning to Germany that night. During the meeting,
Liu chided a Siemen's representative accompanying Tiefensee
for Siemen's inability to provide the right pricing for the
new maglev line currently being considered in Hangzhou,
stating that the Japanese were more ready to give a good
price. (Comment: Nishimiya informed the group that the
Chinese had also accused the Japanese of the same thing,
stating that "the Germans were more ready to give a good
price.")
Other Upcoming High-level Visits
--------------
11. (C) Ambassador Stanzel noted that following a number of
recent low-level visits to China from German parliamentarians
and state secretaries, German Minister of Defense Franz Josef
Jung would visit in December, accompanied by Former Minister
of Defense Andreas Vonbuelow.
12. (C) Ambassador Ehrman noted a series of high-level UK
visits, including: UK Environmental Minister Elliot Morley
who is currently in Beijing for the first session of the
Sustainable Development Dialogue. On October 22, Deputy
Prime Minister John Prescott will meet with State Counselor
Tang Jiaxuan, both of whom are co-chairs of the Bilateral
Task Force Commission which covers all aspects of their
bilateral relations. In November, the UK Transport Minister
Alistair Darling will be in China for the Joint Economic and
Trade Commission with Trade Minister Bo Xilai
BEIJING 00020987 003 OF 003
13. (C) Nishimiya said that an October 17-18 visit to Beijing
by Oogi Chikage, President of the Upper House of the Japanese
Parliament is almost set. Chikage may be joined by Former
Foreign Minister and current Speaker of the Lower House,
Yohei Kono. Also, from October 17 to 18 Central Committee
International Department Minister Wang Jiarui will be in
Japan for the Ruling Party Dialogue. His likely Japanese
interlocutor will either be Hidenao Nakagawa, second in
command to Abe in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),or
Shoichi Nakagawa, the Chairman of the LDP Policy Research
Council.
SEDNEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR WILDER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2026
TAGS: PREL PGOV CH FR GM JA UK EUN
SUBJECT: BEIJING-BASED CHIEFS OF MISSION ON POSSIBLE HU-ABE
MEETING, CHINA'S OFFER OF COMBAT TROOPS TO UNIFIL, XINHUA
REGULATIONS NOT GOING INTO FORCE
Classified By: Charge d'Affairs David S. Sedney. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Hopes are high for a pre-APEC meeting between
President Hu Jintao and newly-elected Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe, Japanese DCM Shinyichi Nishimiya said. No specific
agreements are in place. However, the Japanese viewed Hu's
recent acknowledgement that both countries needed to improve
relations as a good sign. China's initial offer to UNIFIL
included combat troops, UK Ambassador William Ehrman said,
but the offer was declined by the UN Department of
Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). China is prepared to offer
helicopters in the future for UN peacekeeping operations.
State Council Information Minister Wang Xudong indicated to
visiting UK Minister of Trade and Industry Patricia Hewitt
that the new Xinhua regulations regulating financial news
services would not come into force, Ambassador Ehrman said.
End Summary.
Participants
--------------
2. (C) German Ambassador Volker Stanzel, UK Ambassador
William Ehrman, Japanese DCM Shinyichi Nishimiya and the
Charge d'Affairs met September 28 for the bi-weekly G-5
gathering of Beijing-based Chiefs of Mission. (Note: The
Ambassador was out of Beijing. The French Ambassador and his
DCM were both out of Beijing and did not send a replacement.
End Note.)
(C) Hu and Abe, Roh and Abe: Meetings Imminent
-------------- -
3. (C) Hopes are high for a meeting between Chinese President
Hu Jintao and newly-elected Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe in the run up to APEC, Japanese DCM Shinyichi Nishimiya
said. The Japanese have proposed to reopen dialogue between
Japan and China at the top level and Nishimiya hinted
strongly that a visit was even possible earlier than
"pre-APEC." While there is not yet agreement, Japanese
Foreign Minister Taro Aso and Chief Cabinet Secretary
Yasuhisa Shiozaki are sending positive signals for the
resumption of high-level dialogue. Hu's congratulatory
teegram to Abe after the election placing responsibility on
both parties to improve the relationship is viewed by
Japanese officials as an encouraging improvement.
4. (C) PM Abe called South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun two
days ago and they agreed to meet at an early occasion,
possibly at APEC. Nishimiya said that earlier options are
quite possible.
(C) China Offered Combat Troops to UNIFIL
--------------
5. (C) A working-level UK Ministry of Defense delegation
visiting to talk defense policies was told that China's
initial offer to UNIFIL included combat troops, Ambassador
Ehrman said. This was the first time China had offered
combat troops for UN peacekeeping efforts, however, the UN
DPKO did not need any Chinese combat troops at the time. The
PLA confirmed the report to the UK attache that this was the
first time China had offered the UN combat troops and added
that China is prepared to offer helicopters for future UN
peacekeeping operations. The UK is considering training
Chinese helicopter pilots in English, as their inability to
speak English is a major impediment to their participation in
UN peacekeeping efforts.
(C) Draft Xinhua Regulations May Not Come into Force
-------------- --------------
6. (C) UK Minister of Trade and Industry Patricia Hewitt
asked State Council Information Minister Wang Xudong during
September 19-22 bilateral meetings in Beijing whether Premier
Wen Jiabao's public and private comments in London September
12 reassuring international financial news agencies -- and
more specifically, Reuters -- that new Xinhua regulations
would not affect their existing business in China were
accurate, Ambassador Ehrman said. Wang told Hewitt that
BEIJING 00020987 002 OF 003
Wen's comments reflected the policies of the Chinese
government as a whole and that the new regulations would not
affect Reuter's existing business or practices. Hewitt
pressed Wang, noting that as written the regulations would
clearly interfere with Reuter's business in China. Hewitt
asked if this response meant the Xinhua draft regulations
would not come into force. Wang again repeated his prior
statement.
Chen's Dismissal, Bo's Rise and other Rumors
--------------
7. (C) Attendees discussed the recent sacking of Shanghai
Party Secretary Chen Liangyu, touched on the upcoming plenary
session of the CPC Central Committee, Premier Wen's
continuance in office and whether or not President Hu is
firmly in control. Nishimiya said that former Shanghai Party
Secretary and Politburo Standing Committee member Huang Ju
SIPDIS
was ill and unlikely to be arrested, despite his own
involvement in the corruption scandal.
8. (C) All had heard various rumors that Bo Xilai was on the
way up or not likely to be promoted, though all agreed the
source of these rumors appeared to be Bo himself, including
Japanese reports that he would be the next Foreign Minister.
The Japanese and Germans reported that Bo was viewed as too
aggressive and self promoting and is widely disliked. Some
Chinese contacts say Wen's tenure as Premier after 2007 is in
question, if not up for grabs.
Japan Delivers at Hunan Exposition
--------------
9. (C) In his final act as Japanese Trade Minister, Toshihiro
Nikai brought 1,000 Japanese businessmen to the International
Investment and Trade Exposition in Changsha, Hunan Province,
according to Nishimiya. The exposition was hosted by Vice
Minister Wu Yi and Trade Minister Bo Xilai. As a nod to his
friendship with Bo, Nikai delivered the large Japanese
presence at the exposition in Wu's home province. The next
day Nikai flew to Tokyo and handed in his resignation.
German Transportation Meetings End Prematurely
-------------- -
10. (C) Ambassador Stanzel related the details of the
truncated visit by German Minister of Transportation Wolfgang
Tiefensee September 19 to 22. Tiefensee's meeting with
Chinese Minister of Railways Liu Zhijun took place at the
exact time as the fatal maglev train accident near Lathen,
Germany. Tiefensee's staff repeatedly interrupted with
updates and eventually Tiefensee decided to cut his trip
short, returning to Germany that night. During the meeting,
Liu chided a Siemen's representative accompanying Tiefensee
for Siemen's inability to provide the right pricing for the
new maglev line currently being considered in Hangzhou,
stating that the Japanese were more ready to give a good
price. (Comment: Nishimiya informed the group that the
Chinese had also accused the Japanese of the same thing,
stating that "the Germans were more ready to give a good
price.")
Other Upcoming High-level Visits
--------------
11. (C) Ambassador Stanzel noted that following a number of
recent low-level visits to China from German parliamentarians
and state secretaries, German Minister of Defense Franz Josef
Jung would visit in December, accompanied by Former Minister
of Defense Andreas Vonbuelow.
12. (C) Ambassador Ehrman noted a series of high-level UK
visits, including: UK Environmental Minister Elliot Morley
who is currently in Beijing for the first session of the
Sustainable Development Dialogue. On October 22, Deputy
Prime Minister John Prescott will meet with State Counselor
Tang Jiaxuan, both of whom are co-chairs of the Bilateral
Task Force Commission which covers all aspects of their
bilateral relations. In November, the UK Transport Minister
Alistair Darling will be in China for the Joint Economic and
Trade Commission with Trade Minister Bo Xilai
BEIJING 00020987 003 OF 003
13. (C) Nishimiya said that an October 17-18 visit to Beijing
by Oogi Chikage, President of the Upper House of the Japanese
Parliament is almost set. Chikage may be joined by Former
Foreign Minister and current Speaker of the Lower House,
Yohei Kono. Also, from October 17 to 18 Central Committee
International Department Minister Wang Jiarui will be in
Japan for the Ruling Party Dialogue. His likely Japanese
interlocutor will either be Hidenao Nakagawa, second in
command to Abe in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP),or
Shoichi Nakagawa, the Chairman of the LDP Policy Research
Council.
SEDNEY