EAP DAS TOM CHRISTENSEN WITH MFA NORTH AMERICA DG

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 BEIJING 004521 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PMUC PTER PHUM IZ IR KN TC SUBJECT: EAP DAS TOM CHRISTENSEN WITH MFA NORTH AMERICA DG LIU JIEYI Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1. 4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) China will press Sudan to accept a peacekeeping force in Darfur under UN command and control and welcomes bilateral talks between the United States and North Korea, MFA North America and Oceania Affairs Department Director General Liu Jieyi told visiting EAP DAS Thomas Christensen on July 5. DAS Christensen urged China to reconsider aspects of its relations with Iran, which is not only refusing to meet its obligations to the international community on nuclear nonproliferation, but is promoting terrorism in the Middle East and supporting U.S. enemies in Iraq. Liu expressed interest in any information the United States could share on Iranian behavior, including its Special Forces' activities and transfer of weapons to Shiite militants in Iraq. Liu said the United States is sending "wrong signals" about U.S. policy toward Taiwan by allowing Taiwan Vice President Annette Lu to transit the United States and by inviting the Taiwan "foreign minister" to an Independence Day celebration in Taipei. Responding to Liu's claims that U.S. offers of weapons to Taiwan are destabilizing, DAS Christensen stressed that U.S. arms sales are consistent with the three joint communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act, contribute to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and are not designed to support Taiwan independence or any single Taiwan leader. DAS Christensen also noted that the PRC military build-up along the Strait and PRC efforts to reduce Taiwan's international space are leading to increased instability in the Strait. ¶2. Summary continued. Liu said China is "extremely concerned" by the "sweeping regulations" adopted by the United States in response to contaminated Chinese seafood imports. Stressing that the United States has taken these measure to keep our food supply safe, DAS Christensen said the United States is eager to resume seafood imports from China once China demonstrates it has reliable procedures in place to ensure food safety. Liu objected to U.S. officials meeting Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer and Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen and the planned October ceremony awarding a congressional medal to the Dalai Lama. He also protested the repeated opening of China's diplomatic pouch by U.S. authorities. DAS Christensen protested China's mistreatment of Kadeer's family and urged Beijing to engage in dialogue with the Dalai Lama. He urged China to reconvene a human rights dialogue with the U.S. Government and to issue expeditiously a passport to human rights activist Yang Jianli. End Summary. Bilateral Relations -------------- ¶3. (C) MFA North America and Oceania Affairs Department Director General Liu Jieyi told visiting EAP DAS Thomas Christensen July 5 that China and the United States must work hard to expand cooperation and maintain a "stable, healthy and vigorous" relationship through the fall Communist Party Congress, summer 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2008 elections in the United States. He identified several upcoming events that can help advance bilateral relations, including President Bush and President Hu's meeting in September on the margins of APEC in Sydney, National Party Congress Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo's visit to Washington, FM Yang Jiechi's visit to Washington on the margins of the UN General Assembly and Chairman-designate of the Joint Chiefs Admira Mullen's planned travel to China. Secretary Rice is also welcome to visit, possibly close to SIPDIS the time of the ASEAN Regional Forum. Taiwan Affairs Office Director Chen Yunlin's trip to the U.S. and upcoming visits to Beijing by Treasury Secretary Paulson and HUD Secretary Jackson will also be important. China also would welcome visits by Defense Secretary Gates and National Security Advisor Hadley. ¶4. (C) Bilateral trade and economic relations also provide opportunities to maintain positive momentum in the relationship, Liu continued. Implementation of the second Senior Economic Dialogue (SED) results and preparations for SED III, as well as for the 18th Joint Commission on Commerce and Trace (JCCT),will require close cooperation. However, it is important to avoid "politicization" of economic and trade issues, including by Congress. Economic and trade friction should be handled via consultations and cooperation. DAS Christensen offered that the best way to avoid trade friction and reduce domestic pressure on United States-China trade within the United States is for the Chinese to adopt BEIJING 00004521 002 OF 004 concrete measures to resolve outstanding problems. ¶5. (C) Liu said the Chinese side envisaged several steps to follow up the recent Senior Dialogue led by Deputy Secretary Negroponte and Vice FM Dai Bingguo. China is working on specifics of VFM Dai's proposal for a mutual notification arrangement between our militaries. China would welcome U.S. thoughts on the Northeast Asia Security Mechanism, including a trilateral dialogue between the United States, China and Japan. Liu welcomed the U.S. proposal regarding the strategic nuclear dialogue and appreciated the invitation for PRC Second Artillery Force Commander General Jing Zhiyuan to visit STRATCOM. The relevant Chinese departments are considering U.S. proposals to resume human rights and counterterrorism dialogues. DAS Christensen stressed that a visit by General Jing would lead to increased dialogue and greater PRC military transparency. Iran -------------- ¶6. (C) DAS Christensen said more international pressure is needed to change Iran's behavior in the nuclear arena. Iran's export of terrorism throughout the Middle East and its support of enemies of the United States in Iraq also require action. China's otherwise normal relations with Iran under such circumstances are a problem for our bilateral relations. DAS Christensen urged China to consider its own interests, the fight against terrorism, and the importance of Middle East stability in reconsidering it relations with Iran. Under current circumstances, China's reported pursuit of energy deals with Iran sends a terrible signal. Likewise, Chinese conventional arms sales to Iran, even though not in violation of any international regime, are a very bad idea. Liu responded that China shares U.S. views on nuclear proliferation and terrorism and opposes Iran's nuclear weapons program. Describing China as a "stakeholder" on Iran, he asked if the United States could share with China evidence of Iranian support for terror, especially in Iraq. Such information would provide China a better understanding of the situation and allow Beijing to explore how it might cooperate with the United States. China's conventional weapons sales to Iran are based on three principles applied to Chinese weapons sales around the world, he claimed: that the weapons are for defensive purposes; that they not be transferred to third parties without Chinese consent; and that the weapons not contribute to regional instability. Sudan -------------- ¶7. (C) DAS Christensen urged China to support a strong Chapter VII resolution creating an effective UN peacekeeping effort under UN command and control and to increase pressure on the Sudan government to accept such an effort. He noted that U.S. Special Envoy Andrew Natsios would like to visit Beijing to discuss Darfur with his PRC counterparts. Liu said that China will "continue applying pressure" on Khartoum to accept a UN/African Union hybrid peacekeeping force that is under UN command and control. China will coordinate closely with the United States on a UN Security Council resolution authorizing the peacekeeping mission. Liu asked the United States to persuade non-signatory rebel groups to join the Darfur Peace Agreement. Welcoming Chinese pressure on President Bashir, DAS Christensen stressed that UN command and control is essential for an effective peacekeeping mission. A strong Chapter Seven resolution is also required to ensure Khartoum keeps its commitments. The objective is not to weaken Bashir's regime or to cause the territorial dismemberment of Sudan, but simply to address the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. North Korea -------------- ¶8. (C) Bilateral discussions between the United States and North Korea within the context of the Six-Party Talks are "a good thing," DG Liu said, adding that such discussions add "momentum" toward implementation of the September 15 Joint Statement. He expressed hope that a Heads of Delegation meeting and ministerial meeting can take place soon. DAS Christensen welcomed recent news of North Korea's progress toward implementing the February 13 agreement. He said the United States and China must continue to push North Korea to carry out its commitments, and focus on our shared objective: the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Taiwan: "Sending Wrong Signals" -------------- BEIJING 00004521 003 OF 004 ¶9. (C) DG Liu said that China welcomes recent U.S. statements opposing a Taiwan referendum on applying for UN membership under the name "Taiwan." However, he said, China objects to Taiwan "so-called" Vice President Annette Lu's transit through the United States. Liu urged the United States not to allow future transits by Taiwan officials. These visitors use the United States as a "forum for secessionist activities" and use such visits to suggest the United States supports their views. Beijing also objects to the American Institute in Taiwan inviting the Taiwan "foreign minister" to an Independence Day celebration, at which AIT flew the U.S. flag. Recent "anti-China and pro-Taiwan rhetoric" in the U.S. Congress and media is sending the "wrong signals" about U.S. policy, Liu claimed, and is emboldening Taiwan independence forces and "making them even more unscrupulous." Liu also complained about TECRO Washington representative Joseph Wu's pro-independence activities in the United States. Promising to relay Liu's concerns to Washington, DAS Christensen stressed that the United States is committed to our one China policy based on the three joint communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. Given our principles of free speech and separation of powers, there will always be numerous voices expressing diverse views about Taiwan in the United States. The United States opposes attempts to "limit Taiwan's international space" especially in organizations that do not require statehood for membership. Such attempts cause an anti-China "backlash," he stressed, particularly among the Taiwan public. Taiwan Arms Sales -------------- ¶10. (C) This is "an unprecedented high-risk period" in cross-Strait relations, DG Liu said. He protested the U.S. offer of an "advanced weapons" packages to Taiwan and meetings reportedly planned in Washington with high-level Taiwan military officials, arguing that this emboldens Chen Shui-bian's "unscrupulous" pro-independence activities. DAS Christensen reminded Liu that the United States provides defensive military items to Taiwan, consistent with the three joint communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. These sales contribute to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Emphasizing that the arms sales are not offered to Chen Shui-bian or any specific politician or party but rather to Taiwan for its legitimate long-term self defense needs, DAS Christensen noted that the arms package recently reported in the media has been on the table since 2001. The offer is not linked to Taiwan internal political developments and, over the past several years, has not sent a signal that the United States supports Taiwan independence. During that time, the U.S. Government has been very clear that the United States does not support Taiwan independence and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo by either side. The United States views China's continued military buildup along the Taiwan Strait as destabilizing and believes it probably contributes to support in Taiwan for the UN referendum, he said. Recent PRC efforts to restrict Taiwan's international space have also backfired on China, causing increased support on Taiwan for Chen Shui-bian's referendum initiative. Restrictions on Chinese Seafood Imports -------------- ¶11. (C) China is "extremely concerned" by the "sweeping regulations" adopted by the United States in response to contaminated Chinese seafood imports, DG Liu told DAS Christensen. When China finds food imports from the United States unsafe, the issue is handled on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the United States. The United States should adopt the same "cooperative attitude" and resolve this matter through consultation. Liu hopes Washington can view this issue objectively and avoid politicizing and sensationalizing its reaction. DAS Christensen said that the restrictions on Chinese seafood imports are not a punishment or sanction, but simply a necessary measure to keep our food supply safe. The United States is eager to resume seafood imports from China when China demonstrates it has reliable procedures in place to ensure food safety. This will require not only dialogue between Chinese and U.S. agencies, but also increased technical capacity by China to meet U.S. monitoring and inspection standards. Human Rights -------------- ¶12. (C) Liu said that China objects to a recent meeting between President Bush and Rebiya Kadeer in Prague and a more recent meeting between Kadeer and the First Lady at the White BEIJING 00004521 004 OF 004 House. Kadeer supports "East Turkestan independence" and has links to "terrorist groups," he claimed. DAS Christensen said that the United States recognizes Xinjiang Province as a part of China and that Kadeer receives attention and sympathy in the United States because she and her family are seen as victims of politically motivated mistreatment by the Chinese government. This is an issue of human rights and freedom of speech, not U.S. support for any pro-independence agenda for Xinjiang. The United States has no knowledge of any ties between Kadeer and terrorist organizations. We would take evidence of any such ties seriously. ¶13. (C) Liu complained about President Bush's recent meeting with "anti-China troublemaker" Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen and the planned October ceremony awarding a congressional medal to "secessionist criminal" the Dalai Lama. DAS Christensen said both events reflect the President, the Congress and the American people's strong commitment to religious freedom. He urged Beijing to engage in direct and constructive dialogue with the Vatican and the Dalai Lama and to reconvene the human rights dialogue with DRL Assistant Secretary Barry Lowenkron and Ambassador-at-Large for SIPDIS Religious Freedom John Hanford soon, proposing July 27 and July 30 as possible dates. He said the United States hopes China will expedite Yang Jianli's passport application to enable him to depart China and join his family in the United States. DG Liu responded that U.S. meetings with Kadeer and Cardinal Zen made resolving Yang's situation "more complex." Diplomatic Pouch -------------- ¶14. Liu complained that for the seventh time since 2004, U.S. authorities opened China's diplomatic pouch. China "seriously demands" that the United States take specific measures to prevent recurrence of this infringement of internationally recognized diplomatic privileges. ¶15. (U) DAS Christensen cleared this message. RANDT