CHINESE EMBASSY PROTESTS ANNOUNCED PATRIOT

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