MFA CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTED U.S. SUPPORT FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000773 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2032 TAGS: PREL MARR CH TW SUBJECT: MFA CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTED U.S. SUPPORT FOR TAIWAN CAPABILITIES TO "ATTACK" MAINLAND Classified By: DCM David Sedney. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) MFA North Americas Director General Liu Jieyi expressed concern to the DCM over Taiwan media reports alleging U.S. support for Taiwan's development of long-range attack capabilities. DG Liu cited reports of U.S. civilian companies' plans to sell equipment for Taiwan's Xiong Feng long-range cruise missile which is capable of hitting Beijing. He also objected to reported U.S. plans to sell precision-guided bombs and F-16 C/D fighters to Taiwan and to reported U.S. assistance to improve Taiwan's attack capabilities via the Pave Paws radar. Liu sought clarification and warned that proceeding with any such sales would harm China's national security interests and damage bilateral relations. The DCM reiterated the U.S. commitment to upholding our ONE China policy, said he had not seen any such press reports and pointed out that the United States does sell defensive arms to Taiwan and that those sales help ensure cross-Strait stability. Liu stressed that the Chinese concerns were related to U.S. support for developing Taiwan capabilities that could be used to "attack" the Mainland. In the last three years, this is the first time that the Chinese Government has expressed concerns to us about an "attack" from Taiwan. End summary. ¶2. (C) MFA North American Affairs Director General Liu Jieyi called in the DCM on February 1 to voice Chinese Government concerns over Taiwan press reports alleging U.S. plans to augment Taiwan's long-range offensive weapons capability through sales of defense- related articles and enhanced military cooperation. Reading from a Chinese-language text, DG Liu said that Taiwan media, quoting "Ministry of Defense" sources, claims that the United States may sell software and spare parts and satellite navigation systems through civilian U.S. companies. These sales would be to assist the Taiwan military in its research and development efforts related to the development of a long-range cruise missile, the Xiong Feng IIE. This missile has a range of 2000 km, which can reach Beijing, Liu said. ¶3. (C) The Taiwan media reports also note U.S. intentions to sell precision-guided bombs and F-16 C/D fighter aircraft to Taiwan and gradually increase the transfer of U.S. military technology to Taiwan, Liu continued. Reports note that the Taiwan military is in the process of building up a base for long-range warning radar purchased from the United States, which will give Taiwan, for the first time, a long-range attack capability and will raise the "sub military alliance" between the United States and Taiwan to a "military alliance." ¶4. (C) China is seriously concerned about these reports, Liu said, noting that he was under instructions to make these points and seek clarification from the U.S. Government. China consistently and firmly opposes weapons sales to Taiwan. Such sales contravene the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, particularly the August 17 communique. Arms sales to Taiwan endanger China's national security and the cause of peaceful unification, increase the adventurousness of the splittist forces on Taiwan and seriously affect the healthy and stable development of U.S.-China relations. ¶5. (C) At a time when Chen Shui-bian is unscrupulously accelerating the pace of de jure Taiwan independence and the cross-Strait issue is highly sensitive, the above-mentioned sales would send a seriously wrong signal to Chen Shui-bian and the secessionist forces, embolden them to step up Taiwan independence-related activities and pose a serious threat to stability across the Strait and to U.S.- China relations. This would entail serious consequences that neither the United States nor China would like to see, Liu stated. ¶6. (C) China expresses its dissatisfaction and firm opposition to any possible sales such as those mentioned in these media reports, Liu said. Bilateral relations between the United States and China are currently stable and developing. The two sides have BEIJING 00000773 002 OF 002 seen fruitful consultation and cooperation on important international and regional issues such as the DPRK nuclear issue and the Iranian nuclear issue. Cooperation on important bilateral issues continues. If the United States provides advanced military technology to Taiwan to increase Taiwan's long-range attack capabilities and takes action to harm the interests of China on the core issue of Taiwan, it will run counter to the common understanding reached by our two leaders to push forward constructive, cooperative bilateral relations, will seriously harm the security interests of China and will harm cooperation between the United States and China in important areas. This should be clear to the United States. ¶7. (C) China requests that the United States attach importance to this issue, urges the United States to recognize and value the importance and serious nature of the cross-Strait situation and the serious harm that U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation and U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan will bring to the bilateral relationship. China asks that the United States honor its commitments to stop military exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan, stop arms sales, reaffirm its commitment not to transfer military equipment to Taiwan and not send any wrong signals to splittist forces in Taiwan so as to avoid harming cross-Strait stability, the bilateral relationship and our cooperation in many areas. ¶8. (C) The DCM promised to report the Chinese Government's views to Washington. He said that he had not seen the Taiwan media reports that DG Liu referenced and cautioned Liu on relying on the Taiwan media for accurate information. The United States' one China policy remains unchanged as President Bush has made clear. We are committed to our ONE China policy based on the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. The United States supports a peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue acceptable to people on both sides of the Strait. We do not support Taiwan independence, oppose unilateral changes to the status quo and urge both sides to undertake active efforts to reduce tensions across the Strait and move toward a peaceful resolution. ¶9. (C) The DCM told DG Liu that the United States does sell defensive weapons to Taiwan. We view these sales as positive contributions to maintaining cross- Strait stability. No Wrong Signals to Chen Shui-bian -------------- ¶10. (C) Liu reminded the DCM of China's consistent opposition to the Taiwan Relations Act and reiterated that it is in the United States and China's interest to see that no wrong signals are sent that will embolden Chen Shui-bian. As detailed in Chen's recent CNN interview, he plans to rewrite the Constitution and continue to pursue de jure independence. Chen's reference in the interview to the good relations and excellent communication between the United States and Taiwan was meant to create the impression that he has the backing of the United States for his plans, Liu asserted. Chen Shui-bian is "a tricky person," who will exploit any wrong signal, Liu stated, so wrong signals are to be avoided. ¶11. (C) The United States attaches importance to its positive relations with Taiwan, the DCM noted, citing many previous discussions on this theme. The achievements of the people of Taiwan, including their economy, free press and vibrant democracy, are admired by Americans. We support these goals for all people. With regard to the sensitivity of cross-Strait relations, the United States is very aware of the importance of the issue, acts responsibly and has worked very hard to maintain cross-Strait stability and will continue to do so. RANDT