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


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Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Daniel
Shields. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).

Summary
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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

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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