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
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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
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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,

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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.


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Taiwan, Transits, Arms Sales
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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

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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
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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

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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
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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
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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
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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

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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
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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
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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

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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
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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
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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