YACHI,S CHINA VISIT: NO SURPRISES

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000486 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV CH KN KS ENRG JA SUBJECT: YACHI,S CHINA VISIT: NO SURPRISES REF: BEIJING 00719 Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( d). ¶1. (C) Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi's January 26-28 visit to China went smoothly and there were no surprises, MOFA China Division Principle Deputy Director Kosei Nomura told Embassy Tokyo Political Officer January 29. Yachi and his Chinese counterpart, Deputy Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo, continued their custom of selecting informal venues, meeting this time in the lakeside city of Hangzhou. Yachi also met briefly with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and with the vice minister of culture to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations. ¶2. (C) Nomura, who did not accompany Yachi to China, reported that during his meetings with DFM Dai, Yachi focused on ways to enhance bilateral ties and confirmed the importance of resolving bilateral issues, including gas exploration rights in the East China Sea. China is open to holding director general-level talks, but a concrete schedule of discussions has not been set and significant progress is unlikely in the short-term, Nomura explained. When Yachi said that Japan remains deeply concerned about China's January 11 ASAT test, Dai reiterated that China is committed to the peaceful use of outer space. As in past meetings, Dai Bingguo stressed that historical issues and Taiwan have the potential to hinder progress on strengthening ties. Yachi assured Dai that Japan's stance on Taiwan has not changed. ¶3. (C) Yachi and Dai Bingguo began laying the groundwork for Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing's February 15-17 trip to Tokyo, which will be an important step in preparing for Premier Wen Jianbao's April visit, Nomura noted. The Chinese Embassy in Tokyo appears under heavy pressure to achieve a significant "deliverable" from Tokyo for Wen's visit, he offered, predicting there would be "many meetings" before the Wen visit. During meetings with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China is consistently placing heavy emphasis on the importance of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's April visit, Nomura said. A successful Wen visit will set the stage for an Abe visit to China later in the year, Nomura added. SCHIEFFER