CORRECTED COPY: CHINA-JAPAN CONSULTATIONS ON UN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 001489 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2018 TAGS: PREL UNSC PHUM JA CH SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY: 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 Deputy Vice Minister 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 Bern 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 Deputy Vice Minister for Foreign 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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 May 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 Bern process, which Liu said is devoted to "attacking China's human rights record." PICCUTA