THE DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH CHINESE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002705 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR D AND EAP E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2027 TAGS: ASEAN ETRD PREL EXBS CH SUBJECT: THE DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER YANG JIECHI Classified By: CDA Paul Jones, reasons 1.4 c, d ¶1. (C) Summary: During August 1 bilateral discussions at the ASEAN Reg Forum (ARF),Deputy Secretary Negroponte noted China's role in the rece passage of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 1769 r peacekeeping in Darfur, but encouraged China to move forward with a res on Iran's nuclear program. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi suggested that efforts of the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) and the E Union (EU) be given more time to work, noting that Iran "already feels heat" of mounting international pressure. FM Yang relayed positive com from the North Korean foreign minister regarding the status of Six-Part negotiations, noting that "the level of mutual trust had increased two with the recent visit of Ambassador Hill to Pyongyang. End summary. Taking steps on Darfur -------------- ¶2. (C) FM Yang with media present, commented on China's role in the Ju passage of UNSC resolution 1769 authorizing the hybrid peacekeeping ope in Darfur. The Foreign Minister offered that China and the internationa community should be "fully engaged" to find "solutions to the situation Darfur." Privately, Yang noted to the Deputy Secretary China's intenti encourage Sudan to comply with the implementation of the resolution, wh citing the need to be flexible in ensuring that rebel forces in Sudan s a peace agreement. Responding to the Deputy Secretary's point that Sud progress in complying with the resolution must be closely verified, the Minister answered that China intends to maintain a "positive attitude" the situation. He verified that China still intends to contribute an engineering force to the UN-lead presence. In that same spirit, Yang c need for the international community to encourage cooperation; he said ChinaQs view, additional economic sanctions against Sudan would not acc our goals. Patience with Iran -------------- ¶3. (C) The Deputy Secretary urged China to support further UNSC measur against Iran, saying that it is now time to move on a resolution to de Iran's nuclear program. Yang, however, suggested that IAEA and EU effo given more time to work and speculated that Iran may "moderate" its sta making an eventual solution more achievable. The Deputy Secretary note Iran must suspend enrichment activities quickly, particularly in light Iran's negative approach to a range of issues -- from the Middle East p process to the provision of weapons to neighboring Iraq and Afghanistan simply offered that China had informed Iran that stalling on the nuclea would not work. Turning to U.S. discussions with Iran on Iraq, Yang as whether these talks could provide a venue for broader U.S-Iran security discussions. The Deputy Secretary responded that talks were at the ear stages and that until now Iran had used the venue to urge the United St leave Iraq while the United States wanted to focus more on how to creat institutions that would build reconciliation and peace in Iraq. The De Secretary told Yang that the United States would provide China with a r SIPDIS of the next round of discussions. Yang speculated on whether IranQs nu issue could be linked to its position on Iraq; Yang thought that maybe U.S. were to give Iran more time to make progress with the IAEA on nucl issues, possibly Iran would moderate its overall approach to having the States in Iraq or in the region. The Deputy Secretary rejected this ap noting that we would still have to face the same problem - an emboldene that was creating problems beyond its own borders. Continued Work on Six-Party Talks -------------- ¶4. (C) Yang relayed positive comments he received from North Korea's fo minister during the ASEAN meetings regarding the status of Six-Party negotiations, noting that "the level of mutual trust had increased two with the recent visit of Ambassador Hill to Pyongyang. The Minister ad all sides needed to encourage "positive discussion." Yang thought that agreement to host the next round of nonproliferation working group meet Shenyang, China, as well as YangQs own comments to the North Korean for minister about the increased "prestige" North Korea enjoyed as a result progress in the talks were good examples of how to create a positive atmosphere. Yang also acknowledged the role of ASEAN countries, and th Philippines as ASEAN chair, in encouraging progress with North Korea. Deputy Secretary emphasized the need for a pragmatic attitude about how continued talks might progress. Military Sales and Exchanges with Taiwan -------------- ¶5. (C) FM Yang raised concerns about Taiwan, including military sales a military exchanges with Taiwan. He said China appreciated the U.S.'s MANILA 00002705 002 OF 002 publicopposition to Taiwan's recent bid for UN membership; however, Chi thought Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian is following a dangerous, even reckless, path. Yang called for close U.S.- China cooperation to ensur Strait stability. Specifically, Yang described possible sales of F-16 fighter jets and P3C Orion anti-submarine aircraft as "serious and enor signals that would "enlarge the arrogance of pro-Taiwan forces." China consider these sales as a "huge upgrade" to the military capability of as well as a potential threat to their "core national interest." The D Secretary said that the United States is well aware of ChinaQs concerns SIPDIS reassured Yang of U.S. efforts to prevent changes to the status quo. T Deputy Secretary also asked for China's flexibility in allowing Taiwan international organizations that did not require state sovereignty as conditions for membership, as a means to encourage peaceful understandi to promote the interests of the citizens on Taiwan. Concerns Over Chinese Product Safety -------------- ¶6. (C) FM Yang highlighted sensitivity over recent international media on Chinese product safety, and asked the U.S. to avoid trade restrictio Chinese goods as well as to take efforts to prevent media exaggerations regarding the scope of products which did not meet safety or quality st Yang emphasized that 99 percent of products produced in China passed qu and or safety inspections and that China would continue to improve qual inspections. He also acknowledged the Deputy Secretary's points that th media's coverage of the issue was not under U.S. government's control a tolerance for poor quality food and medicine was justifiably very low. High Hopes for Future Visits, but Dismay over Dalai Lama -------------- -------------- ¶7. (C) FM Yang described China's current relations with the U.S. as in shape." He pointed to upcoming bilateral discussions between U.S. Pres Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao slated to occur on the sidelines o Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings planned in Sydney, Au Wu Bangguo, chairman of the National PeopleQs Congress of China, would visit Washington later this year. Yang, himself, is hoping to travel to U.S., possibly in early October. Yang also highlighted the importance o nongovernmental exchanges, citing the George H.W. Bush (Bush 41)-sponso symposium on China, to occur in November. However, Yang stated these v would have to be reconsidered if the U.S. Congress proceeded with plans award the Dalai Lama a Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony on Oc ¶16. FM Yang cited particular concern that President Bush or Secretary Rice might attend this event. ¶8. (U) August 1, 2007; 09:20; Manila, Philippines. ¶9. (U) Meeting Participants: China Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cui Tiankai, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Deng Xijun, Charge d'affaires, Chinese Embassy Mr. Liu Jieyi, Director-general, Department of American and Oceanian Affairs, MFA Ms. Jian Yu, Deputy Director-general, Department of Information, MFA Mr. Ren Faqiang, Deputy Division Director, Department of American and Oceanian Affairs, MFA Mr. Li Xiang, Deputy Division Director, Department of Protocol, MFA Mr. Cong Song, Secretary to Minister Yang U.S. John Negroponte, Deputy Secretary of State Ambassador Christopher Hill, Assistant Secretary of State Blair Hall, Director, EAP/RSP Kaye Lee, Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary Ted Wittenstein, Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary Colleen Kelly, EAP/RSP Kevin Sheives, EAP/RSP Andrew Buntrock, Notetaker JONES