FM YANG "STRONGLY PROTESTS" DALAI LAMA'S U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 006733 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR DRL, EAP/CM NSC FOR WILDER E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2017 TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV KIRF CH IN SUBJECT: FM YANG "STRONGLY PROTESTS" DALAI LAMA'S U.S. VISIT; "UNDERMINING CHINA'S CORE INTERESTS" Classified By: Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr.; Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi expressed China's "strong opposition and indignation" to October 17 activities in connection with awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama. FM Yang said that the United States' actions will have "severe adverse consequences for bilateral relations" but stopped short of specifying any actions that China might take. FM Yang said the Dalai Lama has not abandoned his goal of Tibetan independence and that U.S. actions based on "arrogance and prejudice" risk "ruining" the bilateral relationship with China. The Ambassador responded that the actions of President Bush and the Congress reflect America's regard for the Dalai Lama as a revered religious figure, a Nobel laureate, a man of peace and an important cultural figure. China's concerns would be alleviated if it held directs talks with the Dalai Lama. The United States does not support Tibetan independence. Instead, the President has repeatedly stated that a healthy, stable, and prosperous China is good for China, good for the United States and good for the whole world. End Summary. China "Strongly Opposes" Gold Medal Award, Urges the United States to "Correct its Mistake" -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) FM Yang expressed China's "strong opposition and indignation" and "lodged China's strong protest" to events surrounding the October 17 ceremony in Washington awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama. FM Yang criticized the highly public nature of the medal award ceremony, the participation of President Bush and other political leaders in the ceremony and the President's October 16 meeting with the Dalai Lama at the White House. FM Yang said that China repeatedly asked the United States not to go forward with these activities and asserted that U.S. actions will have "severe adverse consequences for bilateral relations." Despite China's "solemn representations," including, according to FM Yang, opposition expressed by President Hu during a meeting with President Bush at the APEC summit in Sydney in September, the United States still "insisted" on going forward with actions that "grossly interfere in China's internal affairs" and "violate international norms." The United States, Yang said, provided a platform for "anti-Chinese activities" and even "joined the (Dalai Lama's) show." ¶3. (C) China, FM Yang said, now "resolutely urges the United States to correct its mistake." The United States, despite pledging recognition of Tibet as a part of China, has "connived" with the Dalai Lama to support Tibetan separatism "under the cloak of religion." The United States says that it wants to improve bilateral affairs with China but through its interference in China's internal affairs has instead "undermined China's core interests." FM Yang said that the United States has encouraged the separatist cause by "lavishing praise" on the Dalai Lama. Tibet is a "sacred and inalienable" part of China and "Tibetan affairs are China's internal affairs." China opposes any effort to "use the Tibet issue" to interfere in its internal affairs. ¶4. (C) FM Yang said that the United States has "aroused the anger of 1.3 billion Chinese," who remain firm in their insistence on respect for China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Chinese people, Yang said, understand clearly that the United States' actions signify support for the Dalai Lama's separatist activities and thus constitute U.S. efforts to "undermine the rights, liberty and territorial integrity of China." The Chinese people are asking, he said, "what are you up to?" FM Yang claimed that the United States seeks to use religious freedom and human rights issues to interfere in China's internal affairs, and has been "doing these tricks for decades." The Chinese people enjoy full religious freedom under the law; they do not need U.S. "preaching." Dalai Lama Seeks Tibetan Independence; United States Risks "Ruining" Bilateral Relationship -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) FM Yang said that the Dalai Lama's activities since fleeing China, including establishing a government-in-exile and the People's Assembly of Tibet, demonstrate that he seeks independence for all of "Greater Tibet," including the Tibet Autonomous Region and parts of Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces. The United States, Yang said, knows that the BEIJING 00006733 002 OF 002 Dalai Lama actually represents a return to the "dark and cruel" feudal system of the "old Tibet," which was "worse than medieval Europe." ¶6. (C) Yang dismissed the Dalai Lama's statements abandoning the goal of Tibetan independence as a ruse for "gaining international support." Yang said that Chinese citizens do not view the Dalai Lama as a religious leader but as "the mastermind behind separatist sabotage" and the "personification of evil and deception," whose efforts are "doomed to failure." FM Yang said the Dalai Lama must abandon his quest for Tibetan independence, cease "splittist activities," publicly state that Tibet is a part of China and recognize that Taiwan is a part of China. Only then will China talk to the Dalai Lama about "his personal future." The Dalai Lama must also recognize the socialist system and the ethnic autonomy that is practiced in Tibet. The United States risks "ruining" its relationship with China as a result of an "ideology that blinds your eyes and arrogance and prejudice that cover your ears." President Bush Regards the Dalai Lama as a Religious Leader, Supports a Healthy, Stable, Prosperous China -------------- -------------- ¶7. (C) The Ambassador told FM Yang the United States' consistent policy is that Tibet is an inalienable part of China. Americans regard the Dalai Lama as a revered religious figure, a Nobel laureate whose peaceful efforts have been recognized by the international community and an important cultural figure, and American leaders meet with the Dalai Lama in that capacity. The Dalai Lama regularly states that he supports autonomy for Tibet "under Chinese rule." As President Bush told President Hu during their meeting in Sydney, the Ambassador reminded Yang, China's concerns about the Dalai Lama will be alleviated if China engages in direct discussion with the Dalai Lama. The Ambassador assured FM Yang that the United States values its relationship with China and urged China not to take steps that would harm the bilateral relationship. President Bush, the Ambassador emphasized, has repeatedly stated that "a healthy, stable, prosperous China is good for the United States and the whole world." Randt