Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIJING123
2008-01-11 10:44:00
SECRET
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
CHINA URGED TO EXPLAIN JANUARY 2007 ANTI-SATELLITE
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S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000123
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2033
TAGS: PREL PARM MNUC MARR CH
SUBJECT: CHINA URGED TO EXPLAIN JANUARY 2007 ANTI-SATELLITE
TEST AND FUTURE ASAT PLANS
REF: STATE 1264
Classified By: Classified by Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlso
n. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
-------
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000123
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2033
TAGS: PREL PARM MNUC MARR CH
SUBJECT: CHINA URGED TO EXPLAIN JANUARY 2007 ANTI-SATELLITE
TEST AND FUTURE ASAT PLANS
REF: STATE 1264
Classified By: Classified by Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlso
n. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
--------------
1. (S) China has explained many times its position on its
January 2007 anti-satellite test and wishes the United States
would put this issue behind us, MFA North American Affairs
Department Deputy Director General Deng Hongbo told us
January 11 in response to our expression of continued concern
on this issue (reftel). China's test violated no obligation
or precedent, Deng argued. If the United States is concerned
about this issue, it should support negotiations in the
Conference on Disarmament in Geneva on the peaceful use of
outer space. Similarly with regard to space debris, China's
test violated no agreements and China stands ready to
negotiate an international instrument on the subject.
PolMinCouns urged the Chinese to respond to U.S. concerns and
questions. End summary.
China urged to explain ASAT test
--------------
2. (S) PolMinCouns delivered reftel points stressing that the
United States remains concerned about China's January 2007
anti-satellite (ASAT) test to MFA North American and Oceanian
Affairs Department DeputyDirector General Deng Hongbo on
January 11. oints were also left as a non-paper.
China "njustly accused"
--------------
3. (S) Aware in advance of the subject of the meeting, DDG
Deng said he was instructed to respond that China clearly
explained its position to the United States in "several"
briefings on its "outer space test." China maintains that
the test fell within the "permitted scope" of the UN Charter
and outer space treaties, did not violate the principles of
international law and did not exceed the precedents of other
nations' past actions. China is firmly committed to the path
of peaceful development, and its defense policy is defensive
in nature, as put forth in both the domestic and foreign
policy goals outlined during the October 2007 17th Party
Congress. China supports the peaceful use of outer space,
opposes the weaponization of outer space, has never engaged
in an outer space arms race, and will not do so in the
future. If the United States is concerned about this issue,
it should support negotiations on the peaceful use of outer
space at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. China
hopes the United States understands China's position. The
United States should stop airing its "gratuitous suspicion,
groundless accusations and endless quibble" on this issue and
instead seek ways to bolster the bilateral relationship and
jointly strengthen mutual trust.
Trash talk
--------------
4. (S) As for space debris, DDG Deng continued, China has all
along complied with its duties under the UN Charter and
relevant treaties on outer space. China took into account
the interests of other countries before conducting its "outer
space test," acted prudently and stands ready to discuss the
development of an international instrument for reducing space
debris.
Why can't we be friends?
BEIJING 00000123 002 OF 002
--------------
5. (S) Speaking personally, DDG Deng said the United States
and China should "turn the page" on this issue and focus on
the many other areas in which the two countries can enhance
mutual trust. Deng expressed hope that during the upcoming
Fifth Senior Dialogue the United States will view this issue
through the greater vision of overall U.S.-China relations.
Just answer the questions
--------------
6. (S) PolMinCouns agreed on the importance of building
mutual trust and stressed that an adequate explanation of
China's ASAT test would serve to do just that. He urged that
China give careful consideration to the U.S. concerns and
seek to find an appropriate avenue for answering the specific
questions in the non-paper.
RANDT
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2033
TAGS: PREL PARM MNUC MARR CH
SUBJECT: CHINA URGED TO EXPLAIN JANUARY 2007 ANTI-SATELLITE
TEST AND FUTURE ASAT PLANS
REF: STATE 1264
Classified By: Classified by Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlso
n. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
--------------
1. (S) China has explained many times its position on its
January 2007 anti-satellite test and wishes the United States
would put this issue behind us, MFA North American Affairs
Department Deputy Director General Deng Hongbo told us
January 11 in response to our expression of continued concern
on this issue (reftel). China's test violated no obligation
or precedent, Deng argued. If the United States is concerned
about this issue, it should support negotiations in the
Conference on Disarmament in Geneva on the peaceful use of
outer space. Similarly with regard to space debris, China's
test violated no agreements and China stands ready to
negotiate an international instrument on the subject.
PolMinCouns urged the Chinese to respond to U.S. concerns and
questions. End summary.
China urged to explain ASAT test
--------------
2. (S) PolMinCouns delivered reftel points stressing that the
United States remains concerned about China's January 2007
anti-satellite (ASAT) test to MFA North American and Oceanian
Affairs Department DeputyDirector General Deng Hongbo on
January 11. oints were also left as a non-paper.
China "njustly accused"
--------------
3. (S) Aware in advance of the subject of the meeting, DDG
Deng said he was instructed to respond that China clearly
explained its position to the United States in "several"
briefings on its "outer space test." China maintains that
the test fell within the "permitted scope" of the UN Charter
and outer space treaties, did not violate the principles of
international law and did not exceed the precedents of other
nations' past actions. China is firmly committed to the path
of peaceful development, and its defense policy is defensive
in nature, as put forth in both the domestic and foreign
policy goals outlined during the October 2007 17th Party
Congress. China supports the peaceful use of outer space,
opposes the weaponization of outer space, has never engaged
in an outer space arms race, and will not do so in the
future. If the United States is concerned about this issue,
it should support negotiations on the peaceful use of outer
space at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. China
hopes the United States understands China's position. The
United States should stop airing its "gratuitous suspicion,
groundless accusations and endless quibble" on this issue and
instead seek ways to bolster the bilateral relationship and
jointly strengthen mutual trust.
Trash talk
--------------
4. (S) As for space debris, DDG Deng continued, China has all
along complied with its duties under the UN Charter and
relevant treaties on outer space. China took into account
the interests of other countries before conducting its "outer
space test," acted prudently and stands ready to discuss the
development of an international instrument for reducing space
debris.
Why can't we be friends?
BEIJING 00000123 002 OF 002
--------------
5. (S) Speaking personally, DDG Deng said the United States
and China should "turn the page" on this issue and focus on
the many other areas in which the two countries can enhance
mutual trust. Deng expressed hope that during the upcoming
Fifth Senior Dialogue the United States will view this issue
through the greater vision of overall U.S.-China relations.
Just answer the questions
--------------
6. (S) PolMinCouns agreed on the importance of building
mutual trust and stressed that an adequate explanation of
China's ASAT test would serve to do just that. He urged that
China give careful consideration to the U.S. concerns and
seek to find an appropriate avenue for answering the specific
questions in the non-paper.
RANDT