CHINESE FM LI ZHAOXING VISITS JAPAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000739 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/20/2017 TAGS: PREL ENRG PGOV CH KS JA SUBJECT: CHINESE FM LI ZHAOXING VISITS JAPAN TOKYO 00000739 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer. Reasons 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (C) Summary: China will "cooperate to the fullest extent possible" to help Japan resolve the abduction issue with the DPRK, Chinese FM Li Zhaoxing told the Japanese during a February 15-16 visit. According to MOFA China Division contacts, the two sides hope to reach general agreement on their East China Sea gas exploration dispute prior to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's April visit, but "the ball is in China's court." In his meetings, FM Li preemptively raised China's anti-satellite missile test. Li and his Japanese counterparts also discussed Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's April visit to Japan, expanding economic cooperation, UNSC reform, and bilateral cultural exchanges. End summary. ¶2. (C) The atmosphere during Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing's February 15-16 visit to Japan was very warm but the visit brought no surprises, MOFA China Division Principle Deputy Director Kosei Nomura told Embassy Political Officer on February 20. While in Tokyo, Li met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Cabinet Chief Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki, and Foreign Minister Taro Aso. He spent much of his time with Aso discussing preparations for Premier Wen Jiabao's Tokyo visit. While dates are not yet firm, Nomura said the visit would likely be April 10-11. Six-Party Talks, Abductions -------------- ¶3. (C) During a 40-minute meeting on February 16, PM Abe told Li that Japan greatly appreciates China's efforts to produce an agreement at the latest round of Six-Party Talks. Li emphasized to Abe that China understands Japan's concerns regarding the abduction issue and will cooperate to the fullest extent possible, Nomura noted, using stronger language than he had in similar past statements. East China Sea Exploration, Economic Cooperation -------------- --- ¶4. (C) Abe and Li agreed to continue efforts to resolve the dispute over gas development projects in the East China Sea, Nomura reported. Li assured Abe that China intends to take part in a director-general level meeting in Tokyo in March on the East China Sea issue (note: a date for the talks has not yet been set). Japanese and Chinese officials are hoping to reach an agreement on the East China Sea before Premier Wen Jiabao's early April visit, Nomura observed, "but the ball is in China's court." Alluding to an incident involving a Chinese research vessel in early February, Abe urged Li to ensure that Japan is notified in advance of Chinese maritime research in Japan's exclusive economic zone, as agreed upon in a 2001 bilateral agreement. Li reaffirmed China's commitment to the agreement, Nomura said. Abe told Li he hopes bilateral ministerial dialogue on economic cooperation will move forward. Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry head Akira Amari may hold talks with his Chinese counterparts in March, but a date has not been set, Nomura said. Japan and China also hope to settle the dispute over Japanese rice imports to China before Wen's visit, Nomura remarked. UNSC Reform, History -------------- ¶4. (C) PM Abe and FM Aso both raised UNSC reform with FM Li, to which Li responded that China's position on UNSC reform "remains unchanged," i.e., it remains opposed to a permanent UNSC seat for Japan. Beijing nonetheless hopes Japan will play a larger role in international society, Li told them. Nomura noted that Japan and China will hold consultations on UN reform in March, during which Japan will again pursue the issue of a permanent Japanese UNSC seat. ¶5. (C) In the context of China's objections to granting Japan a permanent UNSC seat, FM Li reminded Aso that 2007 marks 70th anniversary of the Nanjing massacre and the Marco Polo Bridge incident (marking the beginning of the second Sino-Japanese War),Nomura said. Li also brought up Taiwan and Aso responded that Japan remains committed to the Japan-China 1972 joint communiqu. Li and Aso agreed to move forward on bilateral cultural and sports exchanges. An opening ceremony for the cultural and athletic exchanges will be held in March in Beijing, Nomura said. Tokyo will hold a similar ceremony in Tokyo during Wen's visit, Nomura added. TOKYO 00000739 002.2 OF 002 Anti-Satellite Test -------------- ¶6. (C) Likely knowing that the Japanese would raise the topic, FM Li took the initiative of raising China's January anti-satellite test with PM Abe, Cabinet Chief Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki, and Foreign Minister Aso, Nomura observed, emphasizing China's commitment to the peaceful use of space. During a working dinner, FM Aso stressed to FM Li that it is in China's own best interest to be more transparent on military activities, Nomura said. SCHIEFFER