AMBASSADOR URGES PRC TO SEIZE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 001083

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2033
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MASS CH TW
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR URGES PRC TO SEIZE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK
WITH NEWLY ELECTED TAIWAN LEADERS

REF: SECSTATE 30065 (NOTAL)

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1.
4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: In light of the March 22 election results in
Taiwan, the Ambassador urged China to seize the opportunity
to work with the newly elected leaders in Taiwan to improve
cross-Strait relations. In a lengthy prepared response,
Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi said that China's
commitment to peaceful reunification and the "one country,
two systems" concept would not change because of a change of
leadership in Taiwan. Liu expressed opposition to U.S.
official statements of congratulation on the elections. He
urged the United States to stay on guard against possible
"reckless activities" by Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian
during the transition period before the May 20 inauguration
of the newly elected Taiwan President. Liu reiterated recent
PRC offers for negotiations with Taiwan "on an equal basis,"
with an open agenda, and based on the one China principle.
China will provide for Taiwan's legitimate "overseas
interests" but opposes Taiwan's efforts to join
inter-governmental organizations. AFM Liu defended China's
"limited" military deployments as aimed at preventing
"reckless acts" of Taiwan independence. He urged the United
States not to invite newly elected Ma Ying-jeou or Chen
Shui-bian to visit the United States or allow U.S. officials
or members of Congress to attend the May 20 swearing-in
ceremony. In response to the Ambassador's question, AFM Liu
noted that acceptance of the 1992 consensus would be "good
grounds" to start cross-Strait discussions. End Summary.

Talking Points Delivered
--------------


2. (C) On March 23, the Ambassador called on Assistant
Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi and delivered reftel talking
points in full, suggesting that China allow the March 22
Taiwan UN referendum vote results to speak for themselves.
He urged China to seize the opportunity to work with the
newly elected leaders on Taiwan, to take the initiative in
resuming dialogue without preconditions, to adopt a more
flexible policy toward Taiwan's involvement in international
organizations, and to reverse China's destabilizing of
buildup of forces across the Taiwan strait.

Lengthy Prepared Response
--------------


3. (C) Noting that he was speaking under instruction, AFM Liu
stated that a new local leader has been elected in Taiwan and
the two referenda were rejected, a fact that shows the Taiwan
independence separatist forces' efforts were not what the
people wanted. The intent to seek de jure independence
through referenda was doomed to failure, Liu said. The
Taiwan issue bears on the country's reunification and the
core interests of China. The Chinese government will
maintain its one China policy and oppose Taiwan independence
and separatist activities. This will not change because of
political changes in Taiwan. China remains committed to
peaceful unification and the "one country, two systems"
concept. China has shown the utmost sincerity and will do
its best for the peaceful development of cross-Strait
relations. China hopes the two sides will resume
consultations and negotiations on the basis of the one China
principle and build a framework for the peaceful development
of cross-Strait relations and to "create a new situation."

Opposed to U.S. Government Statements
--------------


4. (C) AFM Liu said that after the Taiwan vote results came
out, President Bush and the U.S. State Department made
statements congratulating the winner of the elections. China
is opposed to these statements. There is only one China in
the world, and Taiwan is an inseparable part. The elections
in Taiwan were local elections within China. The three Joint
Communiques clearly stipulate that the United States will
maintain only unofficial exchanges and contacts with the
people of Taiwan. The issuance of these statements carried
an official character and is not in keeping with the three
Communiques and was inappropriate and wrong.


5. (C) Liu noted that in the recent period, the United States
and China have maintained good communication and cooperation
in opposing the referendum in Taiwan. China highly

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appreciates the repeated reaffirmations of U.S. adherence to
the one China policy and the three Joint Communiques and also
U.S. "opposition" to Taiwan independence and to Taiwan's
participation in international organizations of sovereign
states. China also appreciates U.S. statements to oppose the
referendum. To defeat the referendum was in the common
interests of the United States and China and is conducive to
the maintenance of peace and stability in the cross-Strait
area and to the sound and stable development of U.S.-China
relations.

Be on Guard during the Transition Period
--------------


6. (C) However, AFM Liu stated, the cross-Strait situation
remains complex and sensitive. Although the referendum was
rejected, Taiwan independence forces will still try their
best to obstruct the development of cross-Strait relations
and to sabotage peace and stability in the Strait and in the
Asia-Pacific region. It is possible that Chen Shui-bian will
attempt reckless Taiwan independence activities during the
transition period and create incidents to obstruct the
transition of power. We should not let down our guard, Liu
said.

Reiterated Hu Jintao's Offer
--------------


7. (C) The Chinese side has pointed out many times, Liu
noted, as President Hu Jintao did in his March 4 speech, that
China stands ready to have exchanges, dialogue, consultations
and negotiations with any political party in Taiwan as long
as it recognizes that both sides belong to one and the same
China. The status of the negotiators would be equal, and the
agenda is open, Liu said. Anything can be discussed.
Through negotiations we can resolve political, economic,
military and cultural issues between the two sides as well as
issues related to interactions with third countries and the
development of cross-Strait relations in the future. China
hopes through joint efforts to create the conditions to end
the formal state of hostilities between the two sides, and
create a peace agreement based on the one-China principle,
and to build a framework for a new situation and for the
peaceful development of the cross-Strait region. However,
China cannot tolerate Taiwan independence, nor will it let
anyone separate Taiwan from the mainland.

Protect Taiwan's International Interests
--------------


8. (C) As China has said many times, on the basis of the one
China principle the rights and interests of Taiwan
compatriots to participate in international exchanges are
fully guaranteed, Liu said. China is firmly opposed the
Taiwan authorities' attempts to entry into inter-governmental
organizations, as the essence of such attempts is to promote
Taiwan independence and harm peace and stability in the
Taiwan Strait. China will take steps to provide for the
legitimate overseas interests of the Taiwan compatriots.

Military Deployments Limited
--------------


9. (C) No one wants peace and stability in the cross-Strait
area more than China, Liu averred. China's limited military
deployment on its own territory is for the purpose of
carrying out the obligations of China as a sovereign state
and preventing reckless acts by Taiwan independence forces
and is not a threat to the Taiwan people or to peace and
stability in the cross-Strait area. China expects the two
sides of the Strait to make efforts on behalf of peace and
stability, an end to hostilities, and peaceful development.

United States Should Uphold Commitments
--------------


10. (C) To appropriately handle the Taiwan issue is key to
the healthy development of U.S.-China relations, AFM Liu
said. China hopes the United States will adhere to the one
China policy and the three Joint Communiques, oppose Taiwan
independence, and oppose Taiwan's participation in
international organizations whose members are sovereign
countries. China hopes the United States will issue a clear
warning to the Chen Shui-bian authorities to stop any Taiwan
independence acts. China also hopes the United States will
not conduct any official contacts or military exchanges with

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Taiwan and will not sell arms to Taiwan, AFM Liu stated.
China urged the United States not to send an envoy or
official delegation to Taiwan for the May 20 inauguration and
to dissuade Congress from doing so. China hopes the United
States will also not invite the new President-elect or the
current Taiwan President to visit the United States and will
not take actions contrary to the three Joint Communiques or
to the U.S. commitment to avoid harming bilateral relations.

Ambassador Responds
--------------


11. (C) The Ambassador responded by reaffirming U.S.
commitment to our one China policy based on the three Joint
Communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. The statements by
our President and State Department Spokesman March 22 are
fully in keeping with our one China policy, mentioning our
"unofficial ties with the people on Taiwan" and our "economic
and people-to-people relationship." The Ambassador also
pointed out that Congress was a separate, co-equal branch of
government and that the Executive Branch does not control
Congressional representatives, who are free to have their own
foreign policy views. On the way out, the Ambassador asked
AFM Liu whether acceptance by Taiwan leaders of the 1992
Consensus would be sufficient to restart cross-Strait talks.
Liu responded that that would be "good grounds to start
discussions."
RANDT