CHINA URGED TO EXPLAIN JANUARY 2007 ANTI-SATELLITE

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