MFA DIRECTOR GENERAL LIU JIEYI PROTESTS POTENTIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 004718 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2022 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR TW CH SUBJECT: MFA DIRECTOR GENERAL LIU JIEYI PROTESTS POTENTIAL U.S. ARMS SALES TO TAIWAN Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Dan Piccuta. Reasons 1.4 (b/d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) China is "gravely concerned" about U.S. planned arms sales to Taiwan during this "very sensitive and dangerous time," MFA North American and Oceanian Affairs Department Director General Liu Jieyi told the DCM July 17. Liu warned that such sales "could seriously harm overall U.S.- China bilateral relations." The DCM reiterated U.S. ONE China policy, recounted our publicly stated opposition to Taiwan's UN referendum, and repeated the standard reasons for U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. DCM also stressed the importance of not allowing the Taiwan issue to interfere with bilateral cooperation. Moments after this meeting, the MFA summoned Boeing's China Representative and told him that Boeing should not sell Apache helicopters to Taiwan. End summary. China Warns against Arms Sales to Taiwan -------------- ¶2. (C) Taiwan Representative in the United States Joseph Wu's recent interview announcing that the United States and Taiwan have reached agreement on the sale of arms to Taiwan is of grave concern to China, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) North American and Oceanian Affairs Department Director General Liu Jieyi told the DCM on July 17. According to DG Liu, Joseph Wu said the United States agreed to sell 30 Apache helicopters to Taiwan and is discussing the additional sale of 66 F-16C and D fighter aircraft and several PC-3 anti-submarine aircraft. DG Liu said Taiwan is an inseparable part of China and China will not allow anyone to separate Taiwan from the Mainland nor will it allow any interference in China's internal affairs. The Taiwan issue is a question of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and is China's most important issue. Such an arms sale would contravene the ONE China policy and the three joint communiques, especially the August 17 Communique. Besides harming China's national security and the peaceful reunification of Taiwan, Liu said, the sale would also seriously affect the healthy stable bilateral relationship that China and the United States currently enjoy. ¶3. (C) DG Liu said the current situation regarding Taiwan is in a highly dangerous period, with (Taiwan President) Chen Shui-bian in full disregard of all international opinion. He said Chen Shui-bian is aggravating the situation during this sensitive time with his referendum to join the United Nations, aiming to change the existing status quo and promote cross-Strait conflict. Liu said that if the United States agrees to sell these offensive weapons to Taiwan, this would send a very wrong signal to Chen Shui-bian and Taiwanese secessionist forces and encourage them to be even more "unscrupulous." ¶4. (C) DG Liu stressed that the United States and China have closely cooperated and consulted on a wide range of important issues, from the DPRK and Iran to Darfur. In addition, there will a number of high-level meetings and discussions this year, with new opportunities for further cooperation. It is important that both sides maintain the good momentum in the bilateral relationship. Most important is that the United States handle the Taiwan issue in an appropriate manner. DG Liu expressed appreciation for U.S. statements opposing Taiwan's referendum to join the U.N. He hoped the United States would understand the current grave and dangerous situation and urged the United States to stop selling arms to Taiwan and stop all military exchanges with Taiwan. U.S. Sales Are in Accordance with U.S. Policy -------------- ¶5. (C) The DCM responded by reiterating the United States' one China policy and stating that U.S. arms sold to Taiwan are for defensive use. He stressed that the United States opposes any unilateral action by either side that would alter the cross-Strait status quo and noted that the United States has publicly opposed the Taiwan UN referendum. He stressed the importance of continuing bilateral cooperation and not allowing the Taiwan issue to interfere with bilateral cooperation. He promised to communicate China's concerns to Washington. Boeing Also Summoned -------------- BEIJING 00004718 002 OF 002 ¶6. (C) Moments after this meeting, the MFA summoned Boeing's China Representative to the MFA and told him flatly that Boeing should not sell Apache helicopters to Taiwan. Afterwards, the Boeing representative called the DCM to inform him of the meeting, adding that, although the MFA had called him on the telephone in the past, this was the first time he had been asked to come to the MFA and hear first-hand China's objections to arms sales. RANDT