MFA EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER TECRO WASHINGTON EVENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003416 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2032 TAGS: PREL CH TW SUBJECT: MFA EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER TECRO WASHINGTON EVENT BEIJING 00003416 001.3 OF 002 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Daniel Shields. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) MFA DDG for North America Xie Feng called in Polmincouns on May 21 to express Beijing's concern over a May 9 TECRO-hosted event in Washington at which TECRO representatives reportedly flew the "so-called" Republic of China (ROC) flag, played the ROC national anthem and made remarks emphasizing the importance of these symbolic actions to the media, to several Pacific region Heads of State and to two Members of the U.S. Congress who attended the event. Xie, claiming that the event had caused serious damage to bilateral relations, called on the United States to prevent TECRO from hosting similar events, to stop TECRO Director Joseph Wu from pursuing separatist activities and dissuade American Members of Congress from attending similar events. Polmincouns told Xie that the United States' one China policy based on the three joint communiqus and the Taiwan Relations Act remains unchanged. He reminded Xie that Congress is a separate branch of Government. He said he would report China's concerns to Washington. End Summary. ¶2. (C) MFA North American Affairs Deputy Director General Xie Feng called in Polmincouns on May 21 to express Beijing's concerns over an event hosted on May 9 by Joseph Wu, the newly appointed head of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington. Citing Taiwan media reports, Xie asserted that Joseph Wu held a function in his residence in Washington with participation by Heads of State of the Marshall Islands, Palau, Kiribati and Nauru, the Foreign Minister of the Solomon Islands and the Interior Minister of Tuvalu at which the "so-called Republic of China" flag was displayed at the gate and the ROC national anthem was played before guests and assembled media. Members of Congress Representative Eni Faleomavaega and Representative Albio Sires also attended the event, Xie said. In his remarks, Joseph Wu told his guests and the media that the display of the flag and playing of the anthem are of historic significance and demonstrate Taiwan's sovereignty and independence, Xie stated. ¶3. (C) Referring from time to time to a prepared text in Chinese, Xie, who was speaking English, told Polmincouns he was under instructions to express China's deep concern. He said there is only one China in the world and the Government of the PRC is its sole representative. The Taiwan question concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and is the most important and sensitive issue in the United States- China relationship. TECRO is a non-governmental institution entitled to engage in people-to-people contacts, not diplomatic activities. This is a principle that has been accepted and abided by in the international community, according to Xie. ¶4. (C) Xie said that despite this, Joseph Wu is taking advantage of United States territory to engage in diplomatic activities and is openly making blatantly Taiwan separatist remarks. He is displaying the "ROC flag" and playing the "national anthem." Attendance by U.S. Congressional representatives has emboldened this behavior and caused serious damage to U.S.-China relations, Xie stated. He called on the United States to explain the incident and to prohibit TECRO from hosting further similar events. He asked that the U.S. Government prevent Congressional Representatives from attending similar events and from supporting Taiwan independence forces. ¶5. (C) Xie said China has noted that the current period in cross-Strait relations is sensitive and complicated. Chen Shui-bian is pushing ahead with de jure independence moves through Constitutional reengineering and trying to incite military clashes between the two sides. China expresses firm opposition to these moves and is opposed to die hard Taiwan independence supporters like Joseph Wu being sent to the United States, which sends the wrong signal to Taiwan independence forces. Since taking up his post, Joseph Wu has been engaging in splittist acts aimed at sabotaging cross-Strait relations and U.S.-China relations. Bilateral relations are BEIJING 00003416 002.3 OF 002 currently proceeding in a steady framework. The United States and China are preparing for a series of high-level visits and cooperation on international issues of concern such as North Korea, Iran and Darfur is continuing. The two sides should not let Chen Shui-bian and his confidantes sabotage relations. China asks that the United States takes its solemn position seriously, reaffirm its one China policy and forbid TECRO to engage in separatist activities. ¶6. (C) Polmincouns responded that the Embassy would report China's concerns to Washington. United States policy remains unchanged. The United States maintains our one China policy based on the three joint communiqus and the Taiwan Relations Act. The United States does not support Taiwan independence, urges a peaceful settlement of cross-Strait issues and opposes unilateral steps by either side to alter the status quo. Polmincouns reminded Xie that the Congress is a separate branch of Government and the Executive Branch cannot tell Congress what to do. PICCUTA