PRC/ASAT: AFM HE SAYS "TEST" POSES NO THREAT; NO PLANS FOR FURTHER TESTS

S E C R E T BEIJING 000473

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2032
TAGS: PREL, PARM, MNUC, MARR, CH
SUBJECT: PRC/ASAT: AFM HE SAYS "TEST" POSES NO THREAT; NO
PLANS FOR FURTHER TESTS

REF: A. BEIJING 331
B. STATE 4837 (NOTAL)

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission David S. Sedney. Reasons 1.4 (a
, b, d, e and g)

1. (S) Delivering the Chinese Government's formal
response to our January 15 demarche on China's ASAT
test, Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei told
Assistant Secretary Hill January 21 that the test
poses no threat to any other nation, targeted no third
country and that "for the time being, China has no
plans for further tests." AFM He provided this
information during a wider meeting on overall
bilateral issues at the Diaoyutai State Guest House
(other discussions reported septel). AFM He added
that China continues to support the peaceful use and
non-weaponization of outer space and never has and
never will participate in an arms race in space. To
implement the consensus President Bush and President
Hu reached regarding civil use of outer space, the
Chinese side remains ready to enhance coordination and
communication, AFM He said. A/S Hill pressed AFM He
to elaborate on what kind of test China conducted and
its purpose, but AFM He said he has no authorization
to discuss details.

2. (S) A/S Hill, underlining the significance of the
issue, stressed that our information indicates China's
action constituted a military test of an anti-
satellite system. Our concern is that the test is at
odds with the constructive relationship President Bush
and President Hu pledged to pursue on civil space
cooperation. In addition, the United States is
concerned that the test created a debris field that
could affect other satellites using that orbit. The
debris field could also endanger human space flight
and harm scientific research. Pointing out that AFM
He's comments are the first official response we have
heard on the matter, A/S Hill emphasized that the
explanation does not square with China's stated
position of not wishing to embark on any kind of arms
race in outer space. A/S Hill cautioned AFM He that
the United States knows what happened and that we
remain concerned that China has not adequately
explained the true purpose of the test.

3. (S) A/S Hill stated that the last thing the United
States wants is to have an arms race in outer space
with China. He pointed out that the provocative
nature of the test raises questions that China will
have to answer. Taking note of the position and
concerns of the United States, AFM He said he had no
further information but promised to report "to the
relevant authorities."

4. (S) A/S Hill also raised our concerns about the
ASAT test with Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei at a
subsequent dinner on January 21, noting that AFM He's
explanation was unsatisfactory. A visibly
uncomfortable VFM Wu said that the Australian and
Japanese Ambassadors had raised the test with him. Wu
said he and others at the MFA knew nothing about the
test and deflected further questioning by claiming
that "this is outside my portfolio."
RANDT