PRC RESPONSE TO U.S. POINTS ON U.S.-JAPAN 2-PLUS-2

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 008787 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/J AND EAP/CM DOD FOR OSD/ISA SUZANNE BASALLA E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2021 TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS ENRG PINR JA CH SUBJECT: PRC RESPONSE TO U.S. POINTS ON U.S.-JAPAN 2-PLUS-2 REF: STATE 69287 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Daniel Shields. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) China appreciates the fact that the USG provided information in a transparent manner regarding the U.S.-Japan 2-plus-2 meeting held in Washington on May 1, MFA Asian Affairs Deputy Director General Qiu Guohong said in response to Polmincouns? delivery May 10 of reftel talking points on the 2-Plus-2 meeting, plus copies of the Joint Statement and the Implementation Report as posted on the State Department website. China has three main concerns, however, relating to the implementation plans approved at the 2-plus-2 meeting. First, China is concerned that Japan will take advantage of the process to build up its overall military capabilities. Second, Beijing worries that Japan will use its cooperation with the USG on missile defense to develop offensive Japanese missile capabilities. Third, China fears that although the 2-plus-2 statement does not specifically mention China, China may in reality be a target of the plans approved at the 2-plus-2 meeting. Polmincouns used reftel points to respond, stressing that U.S.- Japan alliance transformation is not aimed at specific threats in East Asia and not aimed at China. The U.S.-Japan alliance is focused on the defense of Japan and maintaining peace and security in the Asia Pacific Region, he noted. Polmincouns urged China to improve its record with regard to transparency. End Summary. PRC Appreciates USG Transparency -------------- ¶2. (C) Polmincouns used the talking points provided reftel to brief MFA Asian Affairs Deputy Director General Qiu Guohong May 10 on the May 1 U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee Meeting (2-plus-2.) Polmincouns passed Qiu copies of the Joint Statement and the Implementation Report as posted on the State Department website. Qiu said China appreciates the fact that the USG is providing information in a transparent manner regarding the 2-plus-2 meeting. He said China always watches closely changes and developments in the U.S.-Japan alliance. China has three main concerns, however, relating to the implementation plans approved at the 2-plus-2 meeting, Qiu said. �00A; PRC Concern One: Increasing Japanese Military Capabilities -------------- ¶3. (C) Qiu said the first major area of Chinese concern is that Japan may take advantage of U.S.-Japan alliance transformation implementation plans approved at the 2-plus-2 meeting to expand the Japan Self Defense Forces' capabilities and roles in the region. Stating that the United States had placed a check on Japan's military following World War II, Qiu expressed the hope that the United States would continue to prevent the reemergence of a militaristic Japan. The focus of the alliance would appear to be shifting from the U.S. protecting Japan to the United States and Japan jointly securing the Asia-Pacific region. Qiu asked if the JSDF would participate if the United States were involved in a military operation in the Asia-Pacific region. These are concerns shared by Japan's other neighbors, Qiu added. Defense of Japan "Does Not Hold Water" -------------- BEIJING 00008787 002 OF 002 ¶4. (C) Qiu said the stated purpose of the JSDF has long been the defense of Japan, but Japan?s interpretation of ?defense? has changed over time. First, the JSDF was committed to protecting Japan's territory. Then, it was the adjacent seas and the lifelines of Japan out to 1000 miles. Now, the JSDF is ready to engage in a preventive strike if there is an imminent attack on a base dedicated to the defense of Japan. Therefore, the idea that the JSDF is focused solely on the defense of Japan "does not hold water." Qiu said that China is not worried about Japan's current military capabilities or orientation, but is troubled by the trend. PRC Concern Two: Japan Building Up Missile Capabilities -------------- ¶5. (C) Qiu turned his attention to missile defense systems, asking if the installations in northern Japan would be moved to the south or if there would be new installations in southern Japan. He inquired about the target of the missile defense systems and whether the systems mentioned in the roadmap would be controlled by both the United States and Japan or just by the United States. The reason for the concern, Qiu continued, is that offensive and defensive missile systems are not that different. Japan could use missile defense technology to develop Japanese offensive missile capabilities, he said. PRC Concern Three: Realignment May Target China -------------- -- ¶6. (C) Qiu said his final concern was that while the United States and Japan say alliance transformation is not targeted at China, previous 2-plus-2 joint statements, albeit not this one, have specifically mentioned China. The phrases "persistent challenges," "unpredictability and uncertainty" and "call for greater transparency" may be interpreted as referring to China, Qiu said. U.S.-Japan military cooperation has gone beyond the bilateral alliance and is focusing on third countries, which causes China real concern. The U.S.-Japan alliance and military relationship have an impact on Japan's neighbors. Washington and Tokyo should be more transparent about their military intentions and changes to capabilities as a result of the realignment, he said. Polmincouns: Alliance Transformation Not Aimed at China -------------- -------------- ¶7. (C) Polmincouns used reftel points to respond, stressing that U.S.-Japan alliance transformation is not aimed at specific threats in East Asia and not aimed at China. The U.S.-Japan alliance is focused on the defense of Japan and maintaining peace and security in the Asia Pacific Region. Polmincouns said he would advise Qiu if Washington had any specific responses to the technical questions Qiu posed (para 5) regarding missile defense issues. More broadly, Polmincouns noted that the United States and Japan share global interests. We expressed those interests in a transparent manner in our just announced implementation report, our common strategic objectives announced in February 2005 and in our report on Alliance Transformation and Realignment issued October ¶2005. The implementation report gives a transparent explanation of how we will pursue these interests. We hope that China and other neighboring states will welcome this transparent approach in describing our interests and the steps we plan to take to ensure our security. Polmincouns urged China to improve its record with regard to transparency. RANDT