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 BEIJING 00001083 002 OF 003 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 BEIJING 00001083 003 OF 003 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