U.S.-CHINA WORKING GROUP MEETS WITH NPC FOREIGN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000697 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV CH SUBJECT: U.S.-CHINA WORKING GROUP MEETS WITH NPC FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JIANG ENZHU Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) In a meeting with a visiting delegation from the U.S.-China Working Group led by Congressmen Mark Kirk, Rick Larsen and Thomas Feeney, Chairman of the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee Jiang Enzhu praised progress in U.S.-China relations in the past year. While noting the extensive recent progress, he cautioned that Taiwan is still a very sensitive issue and urged the U.S. Congress not to pass legislation that might encourage Taiwan independence. NPC Foreign Affairs Committee member Li Yuanzheng affirmed China's cooperation on non-proliferation issues. Jiang said China is moving down the path of peaceful development with an emphasis on economic trade and should not be considered a threat to the United States. End Summary. Positive U.S.-China Relations -------------- ¶2. (SBU) After extending a warm welcome to Congressmen Kirk, Larsen and Feeney, Jiang noted the positive and stable development in U.S.-China relations in the past year. There was effective bilateral cooperation in many areas, including political, economic and science and technology issues. He also highlighted the positive coordination on counterterrorism, the DPRK nuclear issue, Iraq, and UN reform and assessed President Bush's November visit to Beijing as very successful, setting the tone for constructive and cooperative bilateral relations in the 21st century. Likewise, China expects Hu Jintao's visit to the United States in the first half of 2006 to be successful. Taiwan -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Jiang said that both sides would discuss areas where the two sides had differences. He then launched into familiar talking points about Taiwan. Taiwan relates to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China. The Chinese Government maintains its position of resolving differences peacefully on the basis of "one country, two systems." China will never allow Taiwan independence. The Mainland has taken steps over the past year to blunt moves toward secession in Taiwan and to enhance cross-Strait relations. There has been a recent relaxation in the relationship. The recent elections in Taiwan indicated a positive change in the views of Taiwan voters. ¶4. (SBU) Despite the recent positive momentum in relations, Beijing is still concerned about the direction of cross-Strait relations, Jiang said. Chen Shui-bian continues to reject one China. During Chen's New Year's address, he again discussed a timetable for achieving de jure independence. He indicated that by 2007, a referendum would help to realize a re-engineered constitution that could be implemented by 2008. This new constitution would declare that Taiwan is not a part of China and is a de jure country. Jiang praised the U.S. Government for taking measures to restrain Taiwan moves toward independence. He urged the U.S. Congress not to pass any legislation that might encourage Taiwan independence. Non-proliferation -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Congressman Kirk noted that Beijing's focus on the Taiwan issue during official meetings got in the way of possible opportunities to discuss other important matters. He cited the 2008 Olympics as an example of an issue that could bring a new face to China. Congressman Larsen noted his interest in non- proliferation and encouraged China's cooperation in the Proliferation Security Initiative. NPC Foreign Affairs Committee member General Li Yuanzheng stressed that the Chinese is serious about its opposition to nuclear non-proliferation and its policy is not to help other countries acquire such technology. China has extensive cooperation with other countries in the area of export control. China supports the Proliferation Security Initiative in principle, but there are difficulties in its practical application. Taking action can be very difficult unless the BEIJING 00000697 002 OF 002 information that China receives is ironclad. China Still Developing -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Asked about the future of China as a global power, Jiang tried to disabuse any notions that China is looking to expand its influence overseas. He noted problems in China's income gap, regional economic imbalances, workers without insurance and people with disabilities, suggesting that China will remain a developing country for years to come. As a result of China's rapid growth, there is now social friction. China still has far to go to develop into a medium developed country, he asserted. China needed "many tens of generations" to catch up to western industrialized countries. Thus, China's future direction is focused on improving the economy. ¶7. (SBU) Jiang paraphrased a Confucius saying that means roughly "do unto others as they would do unto you." China has no history of aggression but has been a victim of outside attacks. In China's powerful Ming Dynasty, the explorer Zheng He went overseas to more than 30 lands, but he did not seize an inch of soil from other countries, Jiang said. Citing examples of China's pursuit of friendly relations, he said Beijing has resolved boundary issues with 15 countries and is engaging in joint exploration for energy resources in the Pacific. China does not have the ability to challenge U.S. global dominance and certainly does not want to enter into an arms race with the United States. Beijing appreciates that the United States plays a constructive role in the Asia Pacific region. China is Responsible -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Asked by Congressman Kirk about the possibility of future cultural exchanges, such as an NFL game between the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks that might be played in China, Jiang said the NPC favored broad exchanges including those in sports. Replying to Congressman Larsen's question about China's response to Deputy Secretary Zoellick's September 21 speech that referred to China's future as a "responsible stakeholder," Vice Chairman of the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee Lu Congmin expressed the view that China is already that. He identified several areas, including counterterrorism, non- proliferation and trade issues where China is playing a responsible role. In trade, globalization brings both benefits and challenges to China. Some domestic industries have been dealt a blow because of China's membership in the WTO. Moreover, China does not offer its farmers subsidies, like the United States and EU countries do. Nonetheless, China is adhering to its commitments and in the area of services has gone beyond some western countries in opening up various sectors. ¶9. (U) Participants: U.S. Delegation -------------- Representative Mark Kirk Representative Rick Larsen Representative Tom Feeney Steve Orlins, President, National Committee on U.S.- China Relations Richard Goldberg, Co-Staff Director, U.S.-China Working Group Dr. Yang Hong, Bryant University Embassy Control Officer Embassy Notetaker Chinese Delegation -------------- NPC Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Jiang Enzhu NPC Foreign Affairs Comm. Vice Chairman Lu Congmin NPC Foreign Affairs Comm. Member Li Yuanzheng DCM Chinese Embassy in Washington Su Ge Staff and Interpreter ¶10. (U) The Delegation has cleared this cable. Randt