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