SMALL PROTEST AT JAPANESE EMBASSY OVER LEE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 004075

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2017
TAGS: PGOV CH JA
SUBJECT: SMALL PROTEST AT JAPANESE EMBASSY OVER LEE
TENG-HUI'S VISIT TO JAPAN


Classified By: Acting Political Minister-Counselor Susan Thornton.
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) Chinese authorities allowed a small group of
approximately 20 protestors to stage a demonstration at the
Japanese EMBASSY on the morning of June 18 over the recently
completed visit of former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui to
Japan. Emboff observed the demonstrators, who claimed to be
part of a group called the "Patriots' Association," waving
banners and shouting slogans in front of the Japanese EMBASSY
for approximately 10 minutes before handing a petition to a
Japanese staffer, after which the group was escorted away by
Chinese security. The group's banners, in English and
Chinese, read, "Lee Deng Hui Must Die!" "Release Xue Yi" and
"Japan: Support for Taiwan Independence = Die." (Note: Xue
Yi is the name of a Chinese national reportedly arrested in
Japan for throwing a water bottle at Lee Teng-hui during his
visit there. End note.)


2. (C) The group almost certainly had the approval of local
authorities to conduct the demonstration, as it was escorted
at all times by a large contingent of Chinese police and
observed by a gaggle of some 30 overseas and Chinese
reporters, some of whom said they had been notified of the
event in advance. (Comment: Given what had to be official
approval for today's demonstration, Chinese authorities
likely viewed the event as convenient way of reminding Tokyo
and the Japanese public that, despite the recent thaw in
Sino-Japanese relations, Taiwan remains an issue of extreme
sensitivity for Beijing. End comment.)
PICCUTA