PRC ON RELATIONS WITH AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 008333 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2021 TAGS: PREL CH AS NZ FJ PP SUBJECT: PRC ON RELATIONS WITH AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND AND THE SOLOMON ISLANDS EVACUATION REF: A. CANBERRA 00601 ¶B. WELLINGTON 00298 ¶C. BEIJING 07890 BEIJING 00008333 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: Political External Unit Chief Edgard Kagan. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) PRC relations with Australia and New Zealand are smooth with frequent high-level dialogues, common ground on sensitive issues and growing economic and trade ties, MFA North American and Oceanian Affairs Counselor Zhang Ping told EAP Senior Advisor Steven McGann (incoming EAP/ANP Director) on April 28. China seeks stable and healthy bilateral relations with Pacific Island nations and is willing to provide assistance with no political conditions. Zhang lashed out at Taiwan's "money diplomacy" in the region, which he blamed for the recent violence against the ethnic Chinese community on the Solomon Islands. China recognized the need to respond promptly by evacuating PRC citizens and other ethnic Chinese seeking assistance as they faced the imminent threat to their safety. McGann pointed out that the protection of refugees and other vulnerable populations is a key U.S. policy. Zhang said China responded on a humanitarian basis and now the evacuees are free to go where they want. End Summary. Smooth PRC Relations with Australia and New Zealand -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) MFA North American and Oceanian Affairs Counselor for Australia and New Zealand Zhang Ping told EAP Senior Advisor Steven McGann (incoming EAP/ANP Director) that China's relations with Australia and New Zealand are "on the whole smooth" with particularly positive developments over the last four years. Relations have four main features. First, there are regular and constant exchanges of high level visits. Second, sensitive bilateral issues are handled by seeking common ground while not letting disagreements harm the overall positive bilateral relationship. Zhang noted that both Australia and New Zealand adhere to the one-China policy and oppose Taiwan independence. Third, there are well established mechanisms for dialogue on regional and international issues, such as annual Foreign Minister- level dialogues and human rights dialogues. Finally, economic ties are close, with a steady growth in trade. Steadily Developing Trade, Largely Commodities & Resources -------------- --- ¶3. (C) Zhang noted that China is Australia's second largest trading partner with over USD 20 billion in bilateral trade in 2004, double the 2002 amount. Two- way investments are also increasing with Australia investing in natural resources and insurance in China, while PRC firms invest in minerals, mining and energy projects in Australia. Zhang noted that a 25-year PRC-Australia liquefied natural gas (LNG) joint venture project would make its first shipment of LNG to China in June 2006. Turning to New Zealand, Zhang said that the bilateral political relationship is sound and the economic relationship is developing steadily, with total bilateral trade standing at USD 2.7 billion. Dairy, timber, wool and agricultural products make up the majority of PRC-New Zealand trade. FTA Benefits Abound? -------------- ¶4. (C) Responding to McGann's inquiry as to whether China has seen any indirect benefits from the U.S- Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA),Zhang said China had not studied the issue in depth but he guessed China is probably enjoying some kind of benefit. BEIJING 00008333 002.2 OF 003 Zhang noted that China is pursuing negotiations with Australia and New Zealand on FTAs, assessing that everyone will benefit from an increase in FTA's as they promote an overall opening of global trade. China is Promoting Stability and Providing Assistance -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) McGann commented that the lack of good governance in some Pacific Island nations, made worse by the lack of resources and underdeveloped economies, is an important issue for the United States. The United States is concerned that good governance is undermined by the competition between Mainland China and Taiwan over diplomatic recognition and apparent attempts to woo local vested interests. Zhang responded by stating China's policy in the Pacific Islands is to promote peace, stability, economic development and common prosperity in the region. China adheres to the policy of equality in relations with the Pacific Island nations and supports their efforts to maintain stability and promote the regions economic development. China is willing to contribute to these efforts by providing technical and economic assistance with no political preconditions attached. Zhang noted China's assistance is focused on infrastructure and social projects, like schools, bridges, hydropower stations, stadiums and sports facilities. Lashing out at Taiwan's "Money Diplomacy" -------------- ¶6. (C) Zhang said that while China seeks a stable and healthy bilateral relationship with each Pacific Island nation, Taiwan's "money diplomacy" is a majo source of instability in the region. The recent violent political upheaval in the Solomon Islands is one example. Noting that China does not have diplomatic relations with the Solomon Islands, Zhang claimed Taiwan has close relations with politicians there and said he had heard reports that Taiwan influenced the formation of the recent short-lived government of Prime Minister Snyder Rini by bribing local officials and this was a key cause of the recent riots targeting resident Chinese. Zhang said China is absolutely against such conduct, calling it politically and economically "unhealthy." Zhang argued that in order to achieve of stability and realize good governance in the region Taiwan's "money diplomacy" must be checked. Clear Taiwan Issue & China Will Support Resource Management -------------- --- ¶7. (C) Zhang agreed with McGann that properly managing natural resources would promote the sustainable economic development of the Pacific Island nations. For instance, China supports the development of multilateral fishery regulations in the region. However, the issue of Taiwan inevitably arises, Zhang continued, insisting that Taiwan is province of China and should not be given equal status in the negotiation of a regional fishery resource agreement. As soon as the Taiwan issue is "cleared up" then China is ready to support the development of regulations to ensure the sustainability of the island nations' natural resources. Evacuation the Only Solution to Solomon Islands Trouble -------------- -- ¶8. (C) Asked by McGann to comment on the Solomon Islands evacuation reported in reftels, Zhang said Chinese citizens and non-Chinese citizens alike sought asylum in police stations as their houses and business burned and they faced an imminent threat to their safety. China recognized the need to respond promptly, Zhang contended, pointing out that the voluntary evacuation of ethnic Chinese was the only solution as the PRC has no officials or resources in BEIJING 00008333 003.2 OF 003 Honiara. Zhang pointed out that the PRC also evacuated over 100 people during large scale riots in Honiara in 2000. China Acting on a Humanitarian Basis? -------------- ¶9. (C) Expressing appreciation for China's evacuation of an ethnic Chinese Amcit, McGann commended China for helping PRC citizens and non-PRC ethnic Chinese, pointing out that the United States also believes it is important to protect refugees and other vulnerable populations. McGann asked how China is handling repatriation and resettlement issues of the evacuees. Zhang said in deciding how to handle requests from non-Chinese citizens, China just considered the imminent danger they were facing and sought to safeguard the life and safety of as many people as possible. The evacuation was on a voluntary basis and represented a temporary arrangement to relieve the immediate threat. Most of the evacuees returning to China are deciding to stay with families, while some will likely choose to return to the Solomon Islands after the situation stabilizes. Zhang said some of the evacuees could not produce passports or other proof of citizenship but insisted on taking the flight to China. On a humanitarian basis, China allowed them to board and now that they are in China, they are free to go where they want. ¶10. (U) EAP Senior Advisor McGann cleared this cable. SEDNEY