CHAIRMAN OF JCS GENERAL PACE'S MEETING WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 002073 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/28/2017 TAGS: PREL MOPS CH TW SUBJECT: CHAIRMAN OF JCS GENERAL PACE'S MEETING WITH CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER LI ZHAOXING BEIJING 00002073 001.3 OF 003 Classified By: DCM David S. Sedney. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) The United States and China are not only important stakeholders in the international community but also "constructive partners" working together closely to serve the common interests of the world's people, stated FM Li Zhaoxing during a March 23 meeting with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS),General Peter Pace. China's military is ready to work with the United States to enhance dialogue, improve mutual trust and to accommodate concerns for the sound and stable development of bilateral relations. The increase in Chen Shui-bian's independence activities, however, poses an "immediate threat" to stability in the Taiwan Strait. If Chen "dares to create" an incident in which he declares de jure independence, then China will take "concrete" measures, FM Li cautioned. Beijing hopes the United States appreciates how dangerous the current situation is and hopes the United States will end its arm sales and military ties with Taiwan. General Pace responded that the United States upholds our one-China policy based on the three joint communiqus and the Taiwan Relations Act. He encouraged China to find ways to increase exchanges between young and mid-level military officers and to establish a telephone "hotline." FM Li stated that he views the hotline as a very positive and constructive development. "Stakeholders and Constructive Partners" -------------- ¶2. (C) Noting that in recent years United States-China relations have made steady progress, FM Li Zhaoxing said President Bush and President Hu Jintao have agreed that the United States and China are not only important stakeholders in the international community but also "constructive partners." The United States and China enjoy fruitful cooperation in trade, economics, counterterrorism and nonproliferation. The two countries have also worked closely on the DPRK and Iran nuclear issues as well as UN affairs. The Ambassadors of the United States and China to the UN and their IAEA representatives have close working relations and the two countries are also working together on the Sudan crisis. The United States and China are working hard in accordance with the spirit of the UN to serve the common interests of the world's people. This is the common job of both civilian and military public servants. The prospect for better ties between the United States and China is bright and the foundation of the relationship is growing. General Pace responded that the United States and China are working well together to solve the world's most intractable problems. FM Li Calls Taiwan An Obstacle in the Bilateral Relationship -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) FM Li said the Taiwan issue is a matter of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and is a core interest of the PRC. Beijing's gravest concern is the expanded activities of "pro-Taiwan independence forces" and Chen Shui-bian's efforts toward achieving de jure independence. The increase in Chen Shui- bian's activities poses an immediate threat to stability in the Strait and if left unchecked will lead to a situation that no one wants. Chen's independence activities will affect the international community and United States interests. Beijing is committed to the basic principles of peaceful reunification and "one country, two systems" but will not tolerate Taiwan's independence. If Chen "dares to create" an incident where he declares de jure independence, then China will take "concrete" measures. It is the sacred duty of the Chinese state, FM Li stated. ¶4. (C) China appreciates President Bush's statements that the United States upholds its one-China policy and the three joint communiqus and opposes Taiwan BEIJING 00002073 002.3 OF 003 independence, FM Li stated. Beijing has noted recent measures that the United States has taken to contain Chen Shui-bian and Taiwan separatist forces. Beijing hopes the United States appreciates how dangerous the current situation is and hopes that the United States will work with China to oppose all independence activities. To this end, the United States should end its arm sales to Taiwan and end its military ties with the island. The United States needs to take concrete actions to uphold peace in the Strait and to maintain United States-China relations. General Pace said that the President has been very open and direct on the United States' position. The United States upholds our one-China policy based on the three joint communiqus and the Taiwan Relations Act and wants peace in the Strait, General Pace stated. FM Li stated that China objects to the Taiwan Relations Act. Share Common Principles -------------- ¶5. (C) FM Li said the Charter of the Chinese Communist Party demands that the Party work to improve the country. The Constitution of the PRC states that the government must administer the country in accordance with the interests of the people. China's diplomacy is directed at benefiting China's people and promoting peace and development for the world. China is also learning from the United States' principles "of the people, by the people, for the people." In this aspect, Li claimed, the two countries share common views and principles. Our militaries share important common ground, Li stated. China's military is ready to work with the United States to enhance dialogue, to improve mutual trust and to accommodate concerns for the soud and stable development of our countries' ties, FM Li said. Military Hotline -------------- ¶6. (C) In response to General Pace'snoting the upcoming visit to discuss the establishment of a hotline between the Pentagon and the Ministry of National Defense, FM Li stated that he views the hotline idea as very positive and constructive. FM Li said that he and Secretary Rice talked on the phone a dozen times last year. Increase Exchanges Between Young Officers -------------- ¶7. (C) General Pace stated that he hoped the United States and China could find ways for more contact to occur between young and mid-level military officers. This will sow the seeds for lasting relations in the future that will help build mutual trust and dispel mutual suspicion. The two countries need more opportunities for contacts. Together the United States and China can work for the mutual benefit of 300 million Americans and 1.3 billion Chinese, General Pace stated. Noting that General Pace must be a popular leader, FM Li stated that all officers at all levels should work together to build peace and prosperity for the world. ¶8. United States Participants: General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr. Brigadier General Ralph Jodice, U.S. Defense Attache to China Colonel David A Teeples, Executive Assistant to CJCS Colonel Ellen K. Haddock, Public Affairs for CJCS Captain Michael S. Rogers, Chairman's Action Group Major Owen A. Sanford, Aide-de-Camp to CJCS Captain Kevin Ketchmark, Naval Attache to China Lieutenant Colonel Chad Sbragia, Marine Attache to China Nicholas Reisdorff, Assistant Army Attache to China Elise Williamson, U.S. Embassy Beijing (notetaker) Jim Brown, Interpreter Chinese Participants: BEIJING 00002073 003.3 OF 003 Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing MFA Director General for North American Affairs Liu Jieyi Major General Qian Lihua Senior Colonel Zhao Ning, China's Defense Attache to the United States Senior Colonel Li Ji Note: -------------- ¶9. (C) During an exchange on the background of China's defense attach to the United States Senior Colonel Zhao Ning, FM Li, after learning that Colonel Zhao is from Nanjing, stated that the Chinese military trained African freedom fighters in the Nanjing Military Region. Li said the freedom fighters came from Tanzania, Zambia, the former Rhodesia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Li added that many of the leaders in African countries were trained in Nanjing. Major General Qian Lihua quipped that this was an example of transparency between the United States and Chinese militaries because the PLA had never previously discussed the training of freedom fighters with Americans. RANDT