POLICY PLANNING TRILATERAL, SESSION 3: CHINA AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 000221 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO EAP/FO FOR A/S HILL AND DAS CHRISTENSEN AND SCA/FO FOR A/S BOUCHER AND PDAS MANN E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2017 TAGS: MNUC PREL PARM CH IN SUBJECT: POLICY PLANNING TRILATERAL, SESSION 3: CHINA AND INDIA Classified By: A/DCM Joseph Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: S/P Krasner discussed China, India and East Asian architecture with ROK Deputy Minister for Policy Planning and International Organizations Park In-kook and Japanese Deputy Vice Minister for Foreign Policy Masaharu Kono during U.S.-Japan-ROK Trilateral Policy Planning Talks on January 11 in Seoul. Dr. Krasner gave a presentation on the U.S. approach toward China, and stressed concerns over the PRC's mercantilist approach toward Africa. Park and Kono elected to focus instead on their respective countries' relations with China. DM Park urged a more positive approach toward the PRC. DVM Kono reported that Japan-China relations had improved dramatically, but pointed to the PLA's growing military might as a primary concern in Tokyo. Dr. Krasner noted that while the PRC's rising power could likely be accommodated, there was still a threat of instability arising from internal developments in China. On India, Dr. Krasner described the recent improvement in U.S.-India relations and asked what role his counterparts felt India would come to play in East Asia. DM Park said the ROK recognized the good intentions behind U.S. engagement with India on the nuclear issue, but urged the USG to implement its new policy in a way that was consistent with international norms. DVM Kono cited vast potential for better relations between India and Japan, but cautioned that China's relations with India would proceed at a much more delicate pace. All three delegations agreed to meet for another round of policy planning talks in the fall of 2007. Topics for that session have yet to be determined, but all agreed that a discussion of Central Asia should be included on the agenda. END SUMMARY ¶2. (C) Director of Policy Planning Stephen Krasner discussed China, India and East Asian architecture with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts, Park In-kook, Deputy Minister for Policy Planning and International Organizations, and Masaharu Kono, Deputy Vice Minister for Foreign Policy, during a January 11 session of the Trilateral Policy Planning Talks in Seoul January 10-11, 2007. CHINA -------------- ¶3. (C) S/P Krasner led off with a presentation on the U.S. 
approach toward China, stressing that while in many respects the PRC currently plays a helpful role in the world, serious challenges remain. Among these are China's competition for resources, strict adherence to the principle of nonintervention in the affairs of other states, and a general lack of transparency on other important issues. Dr. Krasner emphasized particular concern over China's mercantilist approach toward Africa and the need to further engage China on development issues in the developing world, especially on issues relating to the security and stability of several African countries. ¶4. (C) While admitting that all had a right to be concerned about China's lack of transparency, Deputy Minister Park skipped over the issue of China's role in the developing world. He focused instead on the PRC's role in Northeast Asia. Park said the theory that China poses a threat to the region was unconvincing, and urged the United States and Japan to adopt a more positive approach toward the PRC. He expressed concern over the possibility of the recurrence of a rivalry between China and either country. ¶5. (C) Deputy Vice Minister Kono pointed to the People's Liberation Army's growing military might as Japan's primary concern about China. He sounded a more optimistic note in his comments that Beijing appeared to be exercising self-restraint in its approach toward Taiwan, as well as in his discription of the dramatic improvement in Japan's relations with the PRC. He said the task for Japan was how to "substantiate" the improvement in relations that occured after Shinzo Abe became prime minister. ¶6. (C) Dr. Krasner concluded the discussion by noting that China's rising power could most likely be accommodated. The greater problem, he said, could come from chaotic internal developments in China that result in instability. INDIA -------------- ¶7. (C) Turning to India, S/P Krasner described the various ways in which U.S.-India relations were improving. He posed the question of what role India would play in Asia writ-large, adding that India's help would be needed to encourage China to become a more responsible stakeholder in the world. He cautioned, however, that care would need to be taken so that China did not end up viewing India's intentions as hostile to its interests. Dr. Krasner said the USG recognized the discomfort its nuclear policy toward India had generated in many parts of the world, but stressed it was important for the United States to work with India to assure it did not abuse its nuclear status. ¶8. (C) DM Park said the ROK recognized the good intentions of the United States on the Indian nuclear issue, but added that Seoul sought greater clarification of the new U.S. approach and wanted to see additional protocols put in place. He urged the USG to implement the U.S.-India nuclear policy in a way that was consistent with international norms. ¶9. (C) DVM Kono noted that Japan-India relations were surprisingly limited, but that vast potential existed for better relations in the future. He noted in particular that Tokyo and New Delhi were allies on the subject of UN Security Council reform. Kono said the question of India's role in East Asia was very interesting, noting that growing relations between India and the countries of Northeast Asia was a very recent phenomenon. Japan's goal was to build a closer relationship with India, Kono said, but he cautioned that Beijing's relations with New Delhi would proceed at a much more delicate pace due to differences over Security Council reform, and differing approaches toward Burma, Pakistan and the Central Asian countries. THE NEXT ROUND OF TALKS -------------- ¶10. (C) The three delegation heads concluded the January 2007 round of U.S.-Japan-ROK trilateral policy planning talks by agreeing to meet for another session in early autumn. It was requested that the host (the USG) provide the discussion topics as far in advance as possible to allow for thoughtful preparation. Dr. Krasner suggested the topics for the next round include Africa, Central Asia and governments' capacity for peace building. Both DM Park and DVM Kono voiced their support for a discussion on Central Asia, but asked to be allowed to think about the other topics they would like to see addressed in the fall. (NOTE: DVM Kono will soon be succeeded by Chikao Kawai, who will represent the GOJ as DVM at the next session. END NOTE.). ¶11. (U) The Delegation approved this cable. STANTON