Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07STATE155885
2007-11-13 22:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

CHINESE EMBASSY PROTESTS ANNOUNCED PATRIOT

Tags:  CH TW PREL MARR 
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VZCZCXRO5220
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH
DE RUEHC #5885 3172255
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O P 132238Z NOV 07
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING IMMEDIATE 6114
INFO RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU PRIORITY 3152
RUEHGZ/AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU PRIORITY 2668
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG PRIORITY 4039
RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI PRIORITY 2570
RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG PRIORITY 7787
RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI PRIORITY 1006
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 155885 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2017
TAGS: CH TW PREL MARR
SUBJECT: CHINESE EMBASSY PROTESTS ANNOUNCED PATRIOT
MISSILE TECHNOLOGY UPGRADE TO TAIWAN

REF: BEIJING 7085

Classified By: EAP Deputy Assistant Secretary Thomas J. Christensen

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 155885

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2017
TAGS: CH TW PREL MARR
SUBJECT: CHINESE EMBASSY PROTESTS ANNOUNCED PATRIOT
MISSILE TECHNOLOGY UPGRADE TO TAIWAN

REF: BEIJING 7085

Classified By: EAP Deputy Assistant Secretary Thomas J. Christensen


1. (C) Reinforcing Vice Minister Zhang Yesui's demarche to
Charg, Piccuta (REFTEL),Chinese DCM Zheng Zeguang met with
EAP Deputy Assistant Secretary Thomas Christensen to lodge a
&strong protest8 of the November 9 announced sale of
PATRIOT missile system technology upgrades to Taiwan. Such a
sale constitutes &gross interference8 in China,s internal
affairs and poses a grave security threat. To announce this
sale during a complex period "sends a wrong signal" to Taiwan
and emboldens Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's independence
efforts. Zheng noted that this announcement came only two
months since the last arms sales announcement and only four
days after Secretary of Defense Gates concluded his visit.


2. (C) Zheng assailed recent U.S. actions as
self-contradictory: the United States has stated its
opposition to Taiwan's UN referendum while supporting Taiwan
with arms sales. He wondered how the United States could ask
for Chinese cooperation in many important areas while
undermining China,s central interests. Noting that &great
harm8 to the relationship was possible, Zheng urged the U.S.
side to take China's concerns seriously, to "revoke" the
planned sales, and to send no further "wrong signals."


3. (C) DAS Christensen responded that the United States
remains committed to our one China Policy based on the three
communiqu,s and the Taiwan Relations Act. The United States
does not make arms sales to Taiwan to reinforce one political
party or another, but rather to support Taiwan,s long term
defense needs. PATRIOT missile technology is not new and was
originally offered in 2001. Such defensive systems are
partially a response to China,s military buildup across the
Strait. The United States does not support Taiwan
independence and is opposed to unilateral moves by either
side to alter the status quo. This would include a
referendum on whether to join the UN in the name of Taiwan.


4. (C) DCM Zheng took issue with DAS Christensen,s response,
citing China's opposition to the original announcement of
U.S. willingness to sell this technology in 2001 at a time
when &different circumstances8 -- in U.S.-China and
cross-Strait relations -- prevailed. He added that China has
the right to deploy its military in its own territory to
preserve its territorial integrity and prevent secession.
Zheng concluded by arguing that the Taiwan Relations Act was
unilateral legislation, not a joint agreement such as the
three communiqu,s.
RICE