DG LIU JIEYI WARNS AGAINST CHEN SHUI-BIAN EFFORTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001223 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2017 TAGS: PREL PHUM CH TW SUBJECT: DG LIU JIEYI WARNS AGAINST CHEN SHUI-BIAN EFFORTS TOWARD DE JURE INDEPENDENCE Classified By: Charge d'Affaires David Sedney. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Washington should be vigilant about the risk that Chen Shui-bian will push for de jure independence in the run-up to Taiwan's 2008 election, stated MFA North American Affairs DG Liu Jieyi on February 12. The MFA is also concerned that the State Department's official website refers to Chen as President. The CDA responded that the United States will uphold its one- China policy and act responsibly. On human rights, the CDA expressed concern about the status of AIDS activist Dr. Gao Yaojie and requested that the MFA share any information it has on the case. The United States is still waiting for response to Assistant Secretary Lowenkron's invitation to AFM Cui Tiankai to SIPDIS visit Washington. End Summary. Beijing Concerned About Run-up to Taiwan's Elections -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) The United States and China should vigilantly watch President Chen Shui-bian over the next year, DG Liu told the CDA during a February 12 lunch. Citing Chen's dissolving of the National Unification Council, his talk if de jure independence, his renaming of major companies in Taiwan and his CNN interview in which he claimed to have "good relations and communications with the United States," Liu stated that Chen will try everything and anything to move to de jure independence in the run-up to Taiwan's election in March 2008. The United States must exert its influence over the Taiwan authorities to prevent Chen Shui-bian from having the wrong impression that he can pursue his agenda and have it accepted by the international community, Liu said. ¶3. (C) The CDA said the United States upholds its commitment to its one-China policy and will act responsibly. The United States cannot force Chen Shui-bian to take a certain course of action. The United States has noticed that Beijing has taken steps that are conducive to peaceful relations across the strait and urges the PRC government to do more, in particular, to engage Taiwan's ruling party in addition to the opposition. The CDA asked Liu about China's reaction to former Taiwan President Lee Tung- hui's recent speech. Analysts in China are closely studying Lee's speech, Liu stated, conceding that this is the first time for Lee to make such comments. Still, Beijing remains skeptical that his speeches represent a "real change in attitude," Liu said. State Department Refers to "President" Chen -------------- ¶4. (C) DG Liu complained that the Department of State's official website refers to Chen Shui-bian as "President." This could encourage Chen's destructive behavior. (Note: In a follow-up phone call MFA North American Affairs Officer Ran Bo said Liu was referring to a reference to President Chen in a February 9 press release titled "Taiwan Naming of State-Owned Enterprises and Offices." End Note.) Beijing considers the issue to be very important because "only countries can have presidents and this could give Chen the wrong impression," Liu emphatically stated. The CDA cautioned Liu not to confuse unimportant issues with important ones. Status of Dr. Gao -------------- ¶5. (C) Regarding human rights, the CDA said the United States is very concerned about the status of AIDS activist Dr. Gao Yaojie, who was detained by local authorities in Henan Province on February 5. The CDA urged that the MFA share any information it has on the case. Liu said Dr. Gao has worked extensively to address AIDS in China and is recognized as an "outstanding person," particularly for her work with children. Liu said he does not understand how or why BEIJING 00001223 002 OF 002 the situation reached its current stage. Liu said the United States and China should not make the issue any more complicated than it needs to be. The CDA urged Beijing to quickly resolve the issue and let Dr Gao travel to the United States to be honored by the group Vital Voices. Preparations for Bilateral Exchanges in 2007 -------------- ¶6. (C) Liu said Beijing hopes to improve bilateral relations with the United States through a series of high-level exchanges in 2007. China has already held several interagency meetings to make preparations for the next meeting of the Strategic Economic Dialogue to be held in May in Washington. General Ge Zhenfeng's visit to the United States has been very fruitful and Beijing is appreciative of the efforts that went into making this visit a success. AFM He Yafei will travel to the United States in March to prepare for the Senior Dialogue. Liu said that Beijing views the next Senior Dialogue meeting as very important and as being more focused on political issues now that trade, economic, environment and health issues are handled through the Strategic Economic Dialogue mechanism. The CDA said that the United States is still waiting a response to Assistant Secretary Lowenkron's invitation for AFM Cui Tiankai to visit Washington for human rights discussions. Liu said that the International Organization Department will have the lead in MFA on the question of a visit by Cui. Beijing is optimistic about greater energy and environmental exchanges in view of developments in the United States like the establishment of the House of Representatives Climate Change Commission. Liu believes that this could be an area where the two parliaments can cooperate. The CDA responded that the United States looks forward to greater cooperation in the bilateral relationship in the coming year. RANDT