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