FUKUDA-WEN SUMMIT SETS OUT HIGH-LEVEL DIPLOMACY,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 005335

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV CH JA
SUBJECT: FUKUDA-WEN SUMMIT SETS OUT HIGH-LEVEL DIPLOMACY,
EAST SEA GOALS


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Classified By: A/DCM Mike Meserve per 1.4 (b/d)

Summary
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1. (C) During their November 20 meeting in Singapore, Prime
Minister Yasuo Fukuda offered to Premier Wen Jiabao to visit
China "as soon as possible," which could be late this year or
early next year depending on the Diet's schedule. Chinese
President Hu Jintao will also visit Japan next year, most
likely in the spring, MOFA told Embassy Tokyo. Fukuda and
Wen agreed on the importance of resolving the East China Sea
resource development issue, although there is little hope
that any significant progress will be made soon. The two
leaders expressed views in familiar terms on Taiwan and the
DPRK, and noted that the exchange of naval vessels will help
to advance mutual understanding in the area of national
security. Wen told Fukuda he would "provide whatever
assistance is necessary" on the issue of abductees. End
Summary.


2. (C) Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda met Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao on November 20 in Singapore during what MOFA has
billed as a "rare" summit encounter in a third country. Wen
opened the 90-minute meeting and lunch by noting that
Japan-China relations are now at a "historically important
turning point" and stressed his desire to ensure that
bilateral ties continue to progress, MOFA China Division
Principal Deputy Director Endo Kazuya told Embassy Tokyo
Political Section Deputy. Wen praised former Prime Minister
Abe for the contribution he made to Japan and China's
"strategically mutually beneficial relations." Recalling his
trip to China four years ago as Chief Cabinet Secretary, PM
Fukuda noted that, although bilateral ties were difficult
then, they had seen many improvements, and now both sides are
working more closely together to further common interests.

High-Level Visits, Other Exchanges
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3. (C) PM Fukuda expressed his desire to visit China "as soon
as possible," either towards the end of this year or the
beginning of next year. According to MOFA's Endo, this will
depend on whether the current Diet session is extended a
second time into January, and when the Diet's follow-on
regular session will be called. Endo explained that in any
case, FM Koumura will lead a group of Cabinet members to
Beijing in early December for the Japan-China High-level
Economic Dialogue. Both Fukuda and Wen agreed that Chinese
President Hu Jintao should try to visit Japan "sometime next
year," which Endo explained means "sometime in the spring."
The two also agreed on the importance of sports, youth and
educational exchanges in order to deepen mutual understanding.


4. (C) Welcoming the visit to Japan during the week of
November 26 of a Chinese naval vessel, PM Fukuda noted that
Japan hopes to send a Maritime Self-Defense Forces ship to
China "at an appropriate time." These and other exchanges
can help to further Japan-China understanding in the national
security area. Both Fukuda and Wen agreed on the need for
strengthening bilateral confidence-building measures.

Taiwan
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5. (C) Premier Wen underlined the sensitivity of the March
2008 election in Taiwan and expressed the PRC's hope that
Japan respond "in an appropriate manner" and "make
contributions to the peace and development on both sides of
the Taiwan Strait." PM Fukuda replied that the maintenance
of peace on both sides of the strait is important and noted
his government's hope that cross-strait relations continue to
develop peacefully within international society.

East China Sea Resource Development
--------------


6. (C) Premier Wen described the East China Sea resource
development issue as "extremely complicated and sensitive,"
but that, based on the understanding Japan and China reached
during Wen's April visit to Japan, he wishes to continue to
make efforts to resolve the matter with an aim towards joint
development. PM Fukuda expressed his wish to resolve this

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issue for the sake of bilateral relations, and he urged
Premier Wen to play a leading role in these efforts.
According to MOFA's Endo, although both sides have expressed
a desire to try to find some way forward in time for PM
Fukuda's visit, it is unclear whether this will be possible.
Although the Chinese have told the Japanese that they are
expecting Japan to "make the first move," the Japanese are
not sure what this move should be, and the Chinese are not
giving them any hints, he explained.

DPRK
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7. (C) PM Fukuda stressed the importance of resolving both
the DPRK nuclear issue and settling the abductions issue so
that the victims can return home. Wen expressed his
understanding and sympathy and offered to provide "whatever
assistance is necessary."
DONOVAN