DAS CHRISTENSEN'S MEETING WITH DG LIU JIEYI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 BEIJING 000917 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2017 TAGS: PREL PHUM KNNP CH SU IR SUBJECT: DAS CHRISTENSEN'S MEETING WITH DG LIU JIEYI REF: BEIJING 00840 (NOTAL) Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Daniel Shields, Reasons 1. 4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) EVFM Dai Bingguo will represent China in the next Senior Dialogue following the expected confirmation of Deputy Secretary-designate Negroponte, MFA North American Affairs DG Liu Jieyi told EAP DAS Thomas Christensen. China is prepared to hold subdialogue talks on the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. DAS Christensen urged that China send AFM Cui Tiankai to Washington for human rights discussions and called on China to set dates for the planned visit to the United States by PLA Second Artillery Commander General Jing Zhiyuan, as agreed on by President Bush and President Hu. DG Liu warned of the need for vigilance about Taiwan independence and criticized travel by senior figures from Taiwan to the United States and reports of planned U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. DAS Christensen rejected these criticisms and said the U.S. one-China policy is unchanged. China's anti-satellite test raised concerns about transparency and the direction of China's military modernization. On Sudan, China needs to do more to urge Khartoum to accept a hybrid UN peacekeeping force for Darfur. China would send the wrong signals to Tehran by pursuing major energy deals at the same time Iran is defying the international community on nuclear proliferation. DG Liu complained about a reportedly upcoming visit to the United States by the representatives of the Dalai Lama's government in exile and U.S. support for Rebiya Kadeer. DAS Christensen stressed that America's human rights concerns reflect international norms. End Summary. Senior Visits Set Stage For 2007 -------------- ¶2. (C) MFA DG for North American Affairs Liu Jieyi told visiting EAP DAS Thomas Christensen on February 6 that China hopes to further improve bilateral relations in 2007 through a series of expected high- level bilateral visits. DG Liu reviewed positively the visit to China by U/S Hughes, as well as Policy Planning Talks in Washington and visits to the United States by NPC Vice Chair Sheng Huaren and VFM Yang Jiechi. A/S Hill is coming for Six-Party Talks. President Bush and President Hu will likely meet in June at the G-8 Summit and in September at the APEC Leaders Meeting. China would welcome visits by Secretary Rice, Deputy Secretary-designate Negroponte, SIPDIS following his expected confirmation, for the Senior Dialogue, Defense Secretary Gates and NSA Hadley. EVFM Dai Bingguo will represent China in the next Senior Dialogue. In March, AFM He Yafei will visit Washington to prepare for the Senior Dialogue and the Strategic Economic Dialogue. AFM Zhai Jun will discuss Middle East and African Affairs in a subdialogue of the Senior Dialogue. China is also prepared to hold subdialogues on Asia and Latin America this year, along with other consultations between officials and parliamentarians, DG Liu said. ¶3. (C) DAS Christensen said the United States welcomes the planned visits. We look forward to scheduling the next round of Senior Dialogue with EVFM Dai Bingguo after Deputy Secretary-designate Negroponte is confirmed. DAS Christensen urged that China send AFM Cui Tiankai to Washington for human rights discussions and called on China to set dates for the planned visit to the United States by PLA Second Artillery Commander General Jing Zhiyuan, as agreed on by President Bush and President Hu. DAS Christensen said we remain puzzled by the difficulty China has had in finding a date for this travel. BEIJING 00000917 002 OF 005 Taiwan, Transits, Arms Sales -------------- ¶4. (C) DG Liu raised three Chinese concerns about Taiwan. First, Chen Shui-bian's "adventurousness" and advocacy for de jure independence requires heightened American caution and vigilance. Chen gives the impression, including in a recent CNN interview, that he has good communications with the U.S. Government, which suggests that his positions are somehow backed by Washington. Second, China is concerned about reports of planned U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, including a press report that the United States will provide Taiwan with software and spare parts for a cruise missile with a range of 2,000 miles. DG Liu also expressed concern about sale of anti-submarine aircraft, PAC-3 missiles, F-16 aircraft and precision guided munitions. Third, the United States should not provide a forum for Taiwan officials through visits or transits. China is concerned about upcoming visits by Secretary General of the Taipei's National Security SIPDIS Council Chou Yi-jen and by Director of the Mainland Affairs Council Joseph Wu to think tanks in Washington, Liu said. ¶5. (C) DAS Christensen said the United States position on Taiwan is clear and remains unchanged. We do not support Taiwan independence and oppose unilateral changes to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Rather than objecting to communication between Washington officials and Taiwan, Beijing should be glad that we send clear messages of our position to Taiwan, he stressed. One can only imagine the situation on Taiwan if there was not good communication with Washington about our one-China policy. The visits DG Liu mentioned are not unprecedented and such visits will likely continue in the future, during which U.S. officials will continue to clearly state our position. ¶6. (C) Moreover, Beijing could create difficulties for itself through excessive efforts to obstruct transits by Taiwan officials, DAS Christensen said. Taking Chen Shui-bian's recent transit of the United States as an example, Christensen noted that Chen's transit in the United States was complicated by the fact that Chen was, at the last minute, denied permission to overfly Mexico. We can only assume that Beijing had a role in Mexico's decision, he said. Transits for the convenience, safety and dignity of the passenger will continue to be granted on a case-by-case basis, Christensen said. PRC efforts to complicate such transits only make it more difficult for the United States Department of State to manage transits, thus adding to the possibility that they might produce unpredicted results. Christensen: Chinese Military Buildup Destabilizing -------------- -------------- ¶7. (C) The United States believes arms sales to Taiwan for defensive purposes play a stabilizing role in cross-Strait relations, Christensen said. American arms sales are consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act and are approved through a transparent process, involving public notification of Congress. By contrast, China's military policies regarding Taiwan are not transparent, he said. It is China's significant military buildup opposite Taiwan, including missiles and other military systems, that is destabilizing. If China wants to increase stability in cross-Strait relations, Christensen said, it should reduce the military forces opposite Taiwan. ¶8. (C) DG Liu asserted that China's concern about Taiwan is one of sovereignty. United States arms sales, authorization of transits and other actions send a wrong signal to Chen Shui-bian, he maintained. DAS Christensen said that the United States sells defensive weapons to Taiwan, not to a specific leader BEIJING 00000917 003 OF 005 or individual. Moreover, people in Taiwan are very clear about American policy and Washington's opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo by either side. Carrying out arms sales, many of which were agreed to years ago, and authorizing transits gives nobody on Taiwan a misimpression. No American administration in recent history has made its one- China policy clearer, he emphasized. We expect cross- Strait issues to be resolved peacefully and we remain concerned with Taiwan's maintenance of sufficient defensive capabilities. Anti-Satellite Test, Military and Space Ties -------------- ¶9. (C) DG Liu said bilateral military exchanges made progress last year. China sees as positive the visit by its Deputy Chief of General Staff to Washington and would welcome visits by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other American military officials. China wants to eliminate obstacles to military ties posed by the DeLay Amendment. The United States should avoid publications such as the DoD PRC military power report that feed the "China threat" theory, DG Liu said. Beijing is sincere in wanting to improve military-to-military relations, he said. Delays in the visit by PLA Second Artillery Commander General Jing Zhiyuan are caused by scheduling, he said. He emphasized that China remains interested in a visit to Washington by the Administrator the China National Space Administration to explore cooperation on space and earth sciences, but has heard that the United States is now hesitant about this visit. ASAT Test Heightens Concern on Military Transparency -------------- -------------- ¶10. (C) DAS Christensen said that the recent Congressionally mandated reports on the Chinese military have been balanced and accurate. For example, the introduction to the latest report on China's military said that the United States does not view China as a strategic competitor or a strategic threat. If China is aware of specific inaccuracies in these reports, it should bring them to our attention and engage in more transparency about its military modernization. ¶11. (C) China's anti-satellite missile test heightened concerns in the United States about trends in the Chinese military, DAS Christensen said. Lack of transparency and lack of communication about China's military trends is a serious concern. The United States and many other countries have objected to China's ASAT test, the resulting debris and the risk posed to satellites, which are now so essential to economic and communications activity. The test may negatively impact space cooperation, he said, but no decision has yet been made about the visit by China's space administrator. Sudan/Darfur -------------- ¶12. (C) DAS Christensen pressed hard for stronger Chinese efforts to stop the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. He thanked China for the timely readout about President Hu's visit to Sudan (reftel),asked China to continue working to bring Sudan to accept a hybrid force and noted reports of a possible renewed offensive in Darfur after February 20. If Sudan does not accept a hybrid UN force, subsequent efforts to resolve the situation in Darfur could harm Chinese interests in Sudan, even though China would not be the specific target of such measures, Christensen warned. ¶13. (C) DG Liu said China remains concerned about the situation in Sudan, not just because of narrow Chinese interests but because seeking a solution is part of how China envisions its role in the United Nations and BEIJING 00000917 004 OF 005 internationally. During his recent visit, President Hu emphasized Chinese support for a UN role in Darfur, urged the Government to pursue national reconciliation and agreed to provide humanitarian assistance, DG Liu said. Previously, China's UN Ambassador Wang Guangya urged Sudan to agree in principle to accept a hybrid force. China believes that international isolation does not move Sudan in a positive direction, DG Liu said. DAS Christensen expressed appreciation for China's recent efforts. He emphasized that innocents, including women and children in Darfur, deserve protection and that China should use its influence with Sudan on an urgent basis to prevent further killing and abuse. Iran -------------- ¶14. (C) Referring to DG Liu's discussion about sending signals to Taiwan, DAS Christensen said the United States is concerned about reports that a Chinese firm plans a USD116 billion gas deal with Iran. Such a deal would send a wrong signal to Tehran at a time when it is defying the will of the international community and persisting with a dangerous nuclear program. Christensen urged that China and its companies reconsider the wisdom of concluding such a deal. He warned that any such deal may trigger sanctions under U.S. law. The international community needs to work quickly to stop Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons. ¶15. (C) DG Liu said China and Iran stopped their civilian nuclear cooperation many years ago once Iran indicated its intention to stop cooperating with the IAEA. China supports the work of the UN and IAEA in trying to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions. China works to facilitate negotiations between Iran and the European Three, presses Iran to delay its fuel cycle and enrichment activities and does not want to see a continuation of Tehran's trend towards proliferation, DG Liu said. DAS Christensen agreed with these principles but asked whether China's behavior in maintaining "normal economic relations" with Iran conflicts with these international nonproliferation goals. Chinese Concerns on Human Rights and Religion -------------- ¶16. (C) China is willing to resume human rights dialogue with the United States on the basis of equality and mutual respect, DG Liu said. But China does not want the United States to use human rights to interfere in China's internal affairs. On this basis, DG Liu objected to several events and visits involving the United States Government, including: - a recent hearing by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, at which Tibetans, "East Turkistan independence forces", Falun Gong members and other "anti-China" elements testified; - a March hearing on China's human rights to be held by the House Foreign Affairs Committee; - a visit and planned meeting with U/S Dobriansky this week by a minister of "the Dalai Lama's so-called government in exile;" - planned visits by the Dalai Lama in April and September; - a meeting between PRM A/S Sauerbrey and Uighur businesswoman Rebiya Kadeer; and - funding by the National Endowment for Democracy to Kadeer and others advocating "East Turkistan independence." ¶17. (C) With respect to the Dalai Lama and Rebiya Kadeer, DAS Christensen dismissed DG Liu's concerns as unfounded. The Dalai Lama is a revered religious figure welcome in the United States. Rebiya Kadeer enjoys rights to peaceful speech and assembly. China BEIJING 00000917 005 OF 005 should stop harassing her sons. Americans have the strong impression that criminal prosecution of her sons is politically motivated retaliation against Ms. Kadeer's activities in the United States, he said. The United States recognizes Tibet as part of China and does not seek independence for Tibet, nor does the Dalai Lama. Similarly, the United States does not support East Turkistan independence. ¶18. (C) The United States' position on human rights arises from sincere concern about Chinese behavior that is inconsistent with internationally agreed norms, not out of a desire to interfere in China's affairs or destabilize the Chinese government, DAS Christensen emphasized. The United States believes that a free press, rule of law and respect for internationally recognized human rights can make China more stable. China's misimpressions about the United States' position on many of these human rights issues reinforce the need to restore high-level human rights dialogue, he said. Falun Gong Lawsuits and Harassment -------------- ¶19. (C) DG Liu expressed concern about what he described as "fraudulent lawsuits and increased harassment" by the Falun Gong, including phone calls and faxes originating in the United States that flood Chinese government offices. DAS Christensen said he was unaware of harassing behavior originating in the United States. He urged China to hire legal counsel to defend itself in cases filed by Falun Gong. Emphasizing the independence of the American judiciary, Christensen said the State Department role in such cases is very limited and applies in only a few cases when our opinion is requested by the courts. Christensen reminded Liu that the State Department had requested that the courts dismiss lawsuits raised against Chinese leaders visiting the United States on official travel. Liu expressed appreciation for these efforts. Hong Kong Elections -------------- ¶20. (C) Noting that Hong Kong will hold elections on March 25 for the position of Chief Executive, DG Liu said it is important for stability to avoid outside interference, including comments by foreign officials designed to influence the election. DAS Christensen said the United States supports the democratic process in Hong Kong as it supports democracy around the world. We do not pick winners or losers or try to influence the outcome of such elections. ¶21. (SBU) Participants: United States DAS Christensen Polmincouns Poloff Notetaker Poloff Control Officer China MFA North American Affairs Department DG Liu Jieyi Deputy Director Ren Faqiang First Secretary Pan Qingjiang Second Secretary Zhang Maoming. ¶22. (SBU) EAP DAS Christensen cleared this message. RANDT