JAPAN, CHINA, PRESS FORWARD WITH MEETINGS, BUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002619

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/08/2017
TAGS: PREL SENV KTIA CH KS JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN, CHINA, PRESS FORWARD WITH MEETINGS, BUT
SUBSTANTIVE PROGRESS SLOW

Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).


1. (C) Summary: The importance of the Six-Party Talks, the
need to resolve problems associated with the transfer of
funds from the Banco Delta Asia to North Korea, and Chinese
concerns over former President of Taiwan Lee Teng-hui's June
visit to Japan topped the agenda during the June 3 meeting
between Japan's Foreign Minister Aso and China's Foreign
Minister Yang Jiechi, MOFA China Division Principle Deputy
Director Endo told Embassy Tokyo Political Officer on June 6.
MOFA will make no official comment on Lee's June 7 visit to
Yasukuni Shrine because Lee's visit to Japan is nonofficial,
Endo added on June 7. Even though China recently presented
its own national climate change strategy, Abe will emphasize
there is still room for joint cooperation on environmental
issues during his June 8 summit with China's President Hu,
Endo stated. End summary.

FM's Aso, Yang Meet Second Time
--------------


2. (C) No surprises or new developments resulted from the
30-minute meeting between Foreign Minister Aso and Chinese
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, held on the sidelines of the
Japan-China-ROK trilateral in Cheju on June 3, MOFA China
Division Principal Deputy Director Kazuya Endo told Embassy
Tokyo Political Officer on June 6. FM Aso began by
expressing Japan's condolences over the June 2 death of
Chinese Vice Premier Huang Ju. On North Korea, Aso and Yang
agreed on the importance of the Six-Party Talks process and
exchanged views on the need to resolve problems associated
with the transfer of funds from the Banco Delta Asia (BDA).
The controversy over resources in the East China Sea was not
discussed.

Abe-Hu Summit on June 8
--------------


3. (C) Apart from topics discussed by Aso and Yang, Endo
noted, Prime Minister Abe will also raise Japan's plan on
combating climate change with Chinese President Hu during
their 30-minute Summit on Friday, June 8. Abe is pushing to
create a post-Kyoto Protocol global framework, with a target
of halving global carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, and is
seeking Chinese participation. Even though China recently
presented its own national climate change strategy, Abe will
emphasize to Hu that there is still room for joint
cooperation on environmental issues. China will likely raise
Taiwan and the East China Sea energy dispute, Endo surmised.
While the fact that the two leaders are meeting is important
in and of itself, given the short timeframe for the meeting,
significant progress on remaining obstacles in Japan-China
relations is unlikely, Endo shared.

Former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui's Visit
--------------


4. (C) Turning to Taiwan, Yang had reiterated to Aso
China's concern over former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui's
June visit to Japan, Endo related. Aso assured Yang that Lee
would not participate in political activities since the visit
was a non-official trip, explained Endo. (Note: Lee
subsequently visited Yasukuni Shrine on June 7 to pay
respects to his enshrined brother, who died while serving in
the Japanese navy in 1945, MOFA contacts confirmed. Chief
Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki told reporters that same day that
since Lee's trip to Japan is personal visit, the Japanese
government would not comment on the shrine visit. MOFA is
not planning to make a comment on the visit at this time,
confirmed Endo on June 7. When asked on June 6 about rumors
Lee planned to visit the shrine, Endo told Embassy Political
Officer that Professor Nakajima was handling Lee's schedule,
and stated that Nakajima had denied Lee would visit the
shrine. Endo reiterated that since Lee's visit to Japan is
nonofficial, MOFA is maintaining a "subtle distance." End
note.)
SCHIEFFER