Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BEIJING6733
2007-10-18 10:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  PREL PHUM PGOV KIRF CH IN 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 006733 

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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
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 006733

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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

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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