CHINESE MFA PROTESTS U.S. ANNOUNCEMENT OF SALES OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 006045 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2032 TAGS: PREL MASS PGOV MARR CH TW SUBJECT: CHINESE MFA PROTESTS U.S. ANNOUNCEMENT OF SALES OF P-3S, ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILES TO TAIWAN REF: 9/13/07 EAP/CM-EMBASSY BEIJING E-MAIL BEIJING 00006045 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr. Reasons 1.4 (b/d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui both protested to the Ambassador the recent announcement of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, saying that such actions "send the wrong signal" to Taiwan and embolden Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's independence efforts. VFM Zhang urged the United States to "revoke" the planned sales. The Ambassador responded that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are consistent with the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act and are a consequence of China's aggressive military build-up targeting Taiwan. End Summary. Arms Sales Embolden Taiwan, Hurt Bilateral Ties -------------- -- ¶2. (C) At the end of a September 14 meeting urgently called by FM Yang with the Ambassador to express China's concerns about possible Taiwan independence moves and on the Ambassador's request for Chinese cooperation on a third UNSC resolution regarding Iran's nuclear weapons program (septels),FM Yang characterized recent USG announcements of proposed arms sales to Taiwan as "another gravely wrong signal" to Taiwan independence forces. He urged the United States to correct the announced sales decision and to refrain from any such sales. ¶3. (C) Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui picked up where FM Yang, who excused himself to attend another meeting, left off. VFM Zhang lodged China's "strong protest" over the September 12 Department of Defense announcement that the United States plans to sell 15 P-3C antisubmarine aircraft (including 3 non- operational aircraft as spares) and 144 SM-2 Block 3 A antiaircraft missiles to Taiwan. VFM Zhang said China firmly opposes these arms sales, which violate the three joint U.S.-China Communiques, specifically the August 17 Communique on arms sales to Taiwan. He argued that such sales undermine China's core interests and harm prospects for peaceful reunification. ¶4. (C) VFM Zhang said that the current cross-Strait situation is "highly complex and sensitive." (Taiwan President) Chen Shui-Bian is continuing his push for independence. Under these circumstances, U.S. arms sales "severely violate the common understanding" of President Bush and President Hu in Sydney, send the wrong signal to Chen and Taiwan separatist forces, increase tensions and harm the larger interests of U.S.-China relations, VFM Zhang said. ¶5. (C) VFM Zhang noted that the United States and China are both stakeholders and are constructive partners. As such, the two sides should respect each other's interests and concerns, including on international and regional issues. Should the United States take steps to harm Chinese interests, "relations would be damaged, and the United States will bear responsibility for the consequences." Because of the recent "complexity" in cross-Strait relations, Zhang urged the United States to revoke the arms sales decision "so as not to send the wrong signals." China reserves the right to "undertake additional reactions," VFM Zhang said. No Change in U.S. Policy -------------- ¶6. (C) Drawing from ref e-mail, the Ambassador noted inter alia that President Bush had reiterated the U.S. One China Policy and our opposition to any unilateral changes to the status quo in the Strait, including the proposed UN referendum, during his meeting with President Hu at APEC. Our policy remains unchanged, and the United States wants a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question. The announcement of arms sales is consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act and is an inevitable consequence of China's aggressive military build-up targeting Taiwan. In addition, in keeping with the TRA, the weapons systems in question are BEIJING 00006045 002.2 OF 002 purely defensive in nature. ¶7. (C) VFM Zhang responded that China is firmly opposed to the Taiwan Relations Act. China's "limited military deployments" are designed to protect the status quo. "China has the right to safeguard its territorial integrity, and no country has the right to interfere," he said. Under the current situation, arms sales could spur Chen to pursue additional separatist acts, which will increase cross-Strait tension and hurt U.S.-China bilateral interests." Randt