CHINA-JAPAN CONSULTATIONS ON UN REFORM

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 001488

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2018
TAGS: PREL UNSC PHUM JA CH
SUBJECT: CHINA-JAPAN CONSULTATIONS ON UN REFORM


Classified By: Political Officer Ted Lyng for reasons 1.4 b, d.


1. (C) Summary. China declined to support Japan's bid for a
permanent UN Security Council (UNSC) seat during April 14
consultations with visiting Japanese MFA Director General for
Foreign Policy Kawai Chikao, according to the Chinese MFA.
China refused even to endorse a statement similar to China's
previously expressed general support for India's aspirations
to a permanent UNSC seat. Before China can support Japan's
bid, Japan needs to "accumulate positive political
achievements" in its bilateral relationship with China. A
Japanese Embassy official said Japan does not expect progress
on this issue until the eve of President Hu's visit to Japan
and regards Kawai's visit as a "reasonable success." The
Embassy Official also said MFA officials told Japan that the
"atmosphere will not be right" for resumption of a
China-Japan human rights dialogue until Japan withdraws from
the Berne process. End Summary.

Chinese Rebuff
--------------


2. (C) MFA International Organizations Department UN Division
Deputy Director Yao Shaojun on April 17 briefed POLOFF on
April 14 China-Japan consultations on UN reform. Yao said
AFM Liu Jieyi and MFA International Organizations Department
Director General Wu Hailong told visiting Japanese
Director-General for Policy Kawai Chikao that China cannot
support Japan's bid for a permanent UNSC seat. Claiming that
China's citizens would be outraged by support for Japan, Wu
said Japan must first "accumulate positive political
achievements" in its bilateral relationship with China before
it can hope for Chinese support. Wu told Kawai that China
would not be able even to agree to a statement similar to
previously expressed Chinese support for India's aspirations
to be a permanent UNSC member. China's support for India
reflects a desire for more UNSC representation for developing
countries, which does not apply to Japan.

Chinese Stress Process
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3. (C) In any case, Yao told PolOff, China views UNSC reform
as a complex issue "that is full of contradictions." China
can only ultimately agree to reform that enhances the
authority and efficiency of the Council. Moreover, unlike
Japan, China insists that there be no deadline for
negotiations, that there be only one forum for negotiations,
that negotiating modalities first be agreed and that there be
a full consensus on a final plan.

Japan Not Discouraged
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4. (C) A Japanese Embassy Official told POLOFF April 17 that
the Japanese Government regards Kawai's visit as a
"reasonable success." Given China's usual negotiating style,
Japan does not expect any progress on the UNSC issue until
the very eve of President Hu's planned visit to Japan, now
scheduled for April 6-10. During his visit, Kawai offered
answers to each of China's objections and Japanese officials
believe there is room for negotiation.

Human Rights Dialogue
--------------


5. (C) According to the Japanese Embassy Official, AFM Liu
told Kawai that resumption of the China-Japan human rights
dialogue would not be possible without the "right
atmosphere." Such an atmosphere will not exist until Japan
withdraws from the Berne process, which Liu said is devoted
to "attacking China's human rights record."
PICCUTA