MFA EXPRESSES STRONG DISSATISFACTION OVER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001402 SIPDIS SIPDIS TOKYO FOR AMBASSADOR NEGROPONTE'S CONTROL OFFICER DIGIOVANNA E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2032 TAGS: PREL MARR CH TW SUBJECT: MFA EXPRESSES STRONG DISSATISFACTION OVER POSSIBLE AMRAAM, MAVERICK SALES TO TAIWAN REF: NORRIS-SEDNEY 3/1 E-MAIL Classified By: DCM David Sedney. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) MFA North American Affairs Director General Liu Jieyi called in the DCM on March 2 to express China's "strong dissatisfaction" and "firm opposition" to the announcement of planned U.S. sales of AMRAAM and Maverick missiles to Taiwan. Speaking from prepared points and with a high level of seriousness, Liu warned that the Taiwan Strait situation is currently complex, stated that the sales contravene U.S. commitments in the August 17th Sino-U.S. communique and undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Liu said the Chinese side "does not accept" the arms sales. Liu pointed to expanding areas of bilateral cooperation, questioned the timing of the announcement on the eve of Deputy Secretary Negroponte's visit to Beijing and raised concerns that the issue would undermine momentum toward constructive, cooperative relations. Arms sales run counter to professed United States non-support of Taiwan independence, he asserted, and requested that the sales be "cancelled." The DCM reaffirmed the United States commitment to our one China policy, said that United States sales of defensive arms to Taiwan have played a major role in preserving peace and stability in the Strait for the last three decades and noted China's military buildup. United States efforts are directed at maintaining the stability necessary to allow the two sides to reach a mutually satisfactory and peaceful resolution. End summary. China Firmly Opposed to Arms Sales -------------- ¶2. (C) MFA North American Affairs Director General Liu Jieyi called in the DCM on March 2 to express China's "strong dissatisfaction" and "firm opposition" to the United States Department of Defense's notice of planned sales of AMRAAM and Maverick missiles to Taiwan. Stating that he was under instructions and reading a prepared text, Liu said that the United States Department of Defense has made public planned sales of 218 A-120C advanced mid-range air to air missiles with 48 missile launchers and 235 AGM65G-2 Maverick missiles and associated spare parts for F-16 fighters in the amount of USD 421 million. ¶3. (C) Noting that the demarche had also been delivered in Washington (ref),Liu said China has always firmly opposed United States weapons sales to Taiwan. Currently the cross-Strait situation is sensitive and complex and Chen Shui-bian has accelerated steps toward Taiwan independence and escalated provocative and dangerous actions. The planned sale of the above-mentioned weapons seriously contravenes the commitments of the United States in the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, particularly the August 17 communique, and constitutes gross interference in the internal affairs of China. Such sales cause Chen Shui-bian and the Taiwan independence forces to be even more unscrupulous and encouraging him to take a dangerous step toward seriously undermining peace and stability in cross-Strait and U.S.-China relations. The Chinese side does not accept this, Liu said. U.S.-China Relations, Negroponte Visit Affected -------------- -- ¶4. (C) Liu noted that U.S.-China relations have been developing steadily and the two countries are effectively cooperating on important areas bilaterally and on important international issues such as North Korea, Iran and Darfur. Noting that Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte begins his visit to China tomorrow, Liu questioned the timing of the announcement, noting that it runs counter to the positive momentum of cooperation between the United States and China and counter to the consensus reached by our two leaders on promoting constructive, cooperative relations. Checking Taiwan independence forces is in the common interest of both countries, Liu stated, calling on the United States to take BEIJING 00001402 002 OF 002 seriously China's solemn position. In light of the complex and sensitive nature of the cross-Strait issue and the grave risk posed by the proposed sale of weapons to Taiwan, the Chinese side requests that the United States redress this erroneous action, cancel the sale of missiles to Taiwan and stop weapons sales to and military links with Taiwan so as not to send the wrong signal to Taiwan independence forces and avoid harming cross-Strait stability and U.S.-China relations as a whole. "Viasat" Sale -------------- ¶5. (C) Liu continued by raising a Taiwan press report stating that American company Viasat recently was awarded a U.S. Defense Department contract to produce "over 70 multifunctional information distribution systems" and spare parts worth more than USD 12 million. China expresses grave concern and opposition to this, Liu stated, and requests that the United States take seriously China's solemn position and cancel the sale of weapons to Taiwan. ¶6. (C) The DCM responded by noting that the United States does take China's views seriously and promised to immediately report DG Liu's comments to Washington. He reiterated comments made by Acting DAS Norris on March 1 (ref) affirming the United States commitment to its one China policy based on the three joint Sino- U.S. communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. The United States does not support Taiwan independence, opposes unilateral actions to alter the status quo and encourages China to reach out not just to the opposition in Taiwan, but to engage in a constructive dialogue with the elected authorities. ¶7. (C) Under the Taiwan Relations Act the United States sells Taiwan weapons of a defensive nature consistent with our longstanding policy. Since the signing of the August 17 communique, the Chinese side has undertaken a large military build up. Given this, sales of defensive armaments are fully in keeping with our commitments and have played a major role in ensuring peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait for the last three decades. The United States agrees that we have an important relationship including a wide range of common interests. We also believe that our common efforts and the efforts of people on Taiwan to maintain stability have been important. The United States takes the issue very seriously. ¶8. (C) DG Liu noted China's opposition to the Taiwan Relations Act and said that the August 17th communique states that the United States would reduce drastically its arms sales to Taiwan with the ultimate goal of ending such sales. The just announced arms sales clearly run counter to that premise. Taiwan involves the core national interest of China with issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity at stake. This is the most sensitive issue in our relations and needs to be addressed in ways that will not derail our relationship or the consensus of our two leaders on being responsible stakeholders, our constructive partnership and our shared common interests. The United States has said it does not support Taiwan independence. The logical consequence of that statement is not to provide help to someone who is precisely seeking Taiwan independence in various ways. Liu reaffirmed the Chinese position that the United States should refrain from arms sales and act in a way that reflects its commitment not to support Taiwan independence. ¶9. (C) The DCM reaffirmed that the United States does not support Taiwan independence and said China is well aware of the efforts made by the United States in this regard. United States actions have been directed at maintaining the peace and stability necessary to create an environment in which the two sides can work to reach a peaceful resolution that is acceptable both to those on Taiwan and on the Mainland. RANDT