Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BEIJING1691
2007-03-14 07:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
CHINESE ACADEMICS STILL CANNOT EXPLAIN ANTI-
how-toVZCZCXRO4653 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #1691 0730726 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 140726Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5612 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 001691
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2017
TAGS: PREL PARM MARR JA AS CH
SUBJECT: CHINESE ACADEMICS STILL CANNOT EXPLAIN ANTI-
SATELLITE TEST, FEAR JAPAN-AUSTRALIA SECURITY DEAL
Classified By: Deputy Political Minister Counselor
Robert Griffiths. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 001691
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2017
TAGS: PREL PARM MARR JA AS CH
SUBJECT: CHINESE ACADEMICS STILL CANNOT EXPLAIN ANTI-
SATELLITE TEST, FEAR JAPAN-AUSTRALIA SECURITY DEAL
Classified By: Deputy Political Minister Counselor
Robert Griffiths. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) Chinese scholars still have no explanation for
China's anti-satellite weapons (ASAT) test and claim
that they do not have information about the test some
two months after the launch, EAP/CM Director John
Norris was told March 13. Chinese scholars have not
yet received any information about the test and
therefore have no basis to comment on its purpose or
significance, according to Tao Wenzhao, Senior Fellow
at the China Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of
American Studies and a frequent Chinese media
commentator. Norris noted that the Chinese
government's poor response to international queries
and the continued absence of any explanation for the
launch have heightened concerns about the lack of
transparency within the Chinese military. China
Institute of Contemporary International Relations
(CICIR) scholar Yuan Peng said his institute would try
to come out with an analysis of the test soon, perhaps
as early as the end of the month.
2. (C) The scholars also told Norris that China views
the Japan-Australia Security Agreement announced on
March 13 with suspicion and concern. Consultations
between Tokyo and Canberra are normal, but formation
of a security alliance seems inconsistent with the
spirit of Six-Party cooperation in Northeast Asia,
said former diplomat and Senior Research Fellow at the
MFA-affiliated China Institute of International
Studies Shen Shishun. CASS' Tao said some in China
see the announcement as the start of an Asia-Pacific
NATO aimed at containing China. Such agreements are
not necessary given the existence of the Six-Party
Talks, the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional
Forum, he maintained.
3. (C) The United States sees stronger ties between
Japan, China and others in the Asia-Pacific region as
enhancing security, not detracting from it, said the
DCM, who hosted the event. The DPRK nuclear test and
missile launch caused security concerns across the
region and it is reasonable for Japan to look to
Australia and elsewhere to address these security
concerns.
RANDT
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2017
TAGS: PREL PARM MARR JA AS CH
SUBJECT: CHINESE ACADEMICS STILL CANNOT EXPLAIN ANTI-
SATELLITE TEST, FEAR JAPAN-AUSTRALIA SECURITY DEAL
Classified By: Deputy Political Minister Counselor
Robert Griffiths. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) Chinese scholars still have no explanation for
China's anti-satellite weapons (ASAT) test and claim
that they do not have information about the test some
two months after the launch, EAP/CM Director John
Norris was told March 13. Chinese scholars have not
yet received any information about the test and
therefore have no basis to comment on its purpose or
significance, according to Tao Wenzhao, Senior Fellow
at the China Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of
American Studies and a frequent Chinese media
commentator. Norris noted that the Chinese
government's poor response to international queries
and the continued absence of any explanation for the
launch have heightened concerns about the lack of
transparency within the Chinese military. China
Institute of Contemporary International Relations
(CICIR) scholar Yuan Peng said his institute would try
to come out with an analysis of the test soon, perhaps
as early as the end of the month.
2. (C) The scholars also told Norris that China views
the Japan-Australia Security Agreement announced on
March 13 with suspicion and concern. Consultations
between Tokyo and Canberra are normal, but formation
of a security alliance seems inconsistent with the
spirit of Six-Party cooperation in Northeast Asia,
said former diplomat and Senior Research Fellow at the
MFA-affiliated China Institute of International
Studies Shen Shishun. CASS' Tao said some in China
see the announcement as the start of an Asia-Pacific
NATO aimed at containing China. Such agreements are
not necessary given the existence of the Six-Party
Talks, the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional
Forum, he maintained.
3. (C) The United States sees stronger ties between
Japan, China and others in the Asia-Pacific region as
enhancing security, not detracting from it, said the
DCM, who hosted the event. The DPRK nuclear test and
missile launch caused security concerns across the
region and it is reasonable for Japan to look to
Australia and elsewhere to address these security
concerns.
RANDT