CHINA CONFIRMS HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001512 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/CM, DRL NSC FOR WILDER E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2033 TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV AS CH SUBJECT: CHINA CONFIRMS HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE WITH AUSTRALIA BUT REFUSES TO DISCUSS TIBET SITUATION Classified By: Political Internal Unit Chief Dan Kritenbrink. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Australian diplomat Nicholas Purtell told PolOff that China on April 17 confirmed its participation in the Sino-Australian human rights dialogue round already provisionally scheduled for May 1 in Canberra, with AFM Liu Jieyi serving as head of the Chinese delegation. China is willing to discuss some Tibet-related issues under the rubric of "minority rights" but will not discuss the "current evolving situation" in Tibet on grounds that it is an "internal matter" and not a "human rights problem." As in the past, China will participate in a meeting with NGOs, but this time only on condition that NGO attendance at the meeting be severely restricted. China's confirmation that it will participate in dialogue with Australia immediately follows Prime Minister Rudd's visit to China. Particularly during an April 9 speech at Beijing University, PM Rudd emphasized the importance of Australia's relationship with China, while at the same time speaking critically of China's record on human rights and the crackdown in Tibet, Purtell said. End Summary. Sino-Australian Dialogue Set; AFM Liu Jieyi will Lead -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) On April 18, Australia diplomat Nicolas Purtell told PolOff that AFM Liu Jieyi will head China's delegation at the next round of Sino-Australian human rights dialogue on May 1 in Canberra, while noting that China has placed "significant conditions" on the topics for discussion. China, which confirmed on April 17 its participation, will allow for discussion on some Tibet-related topics including "relations with the Dalai Lama" under the heading of "minority rights," but Beijing will not discuss the "current evolving situation" in Tibet. Chinese officials said that the situation in Tibet is an "internal matter" and not a "human rights problem" for discussion in dialogue. China also declined Australia's invitation to focus on "media and governance" as a dialogue topic, though it will address questions about these issues in an "open session." China will also not agree to discussion of temporary rules for foreign journalists or the subject of North Korean refugees. (Note: According to EU Mission PolOff Anna-Karin Friis, China has agreed to allow discussion of the temporary rules for journalists during its upcoming dialogue with the European Union, scheduled for May 15 in Slovenia.) Chinese officials reportedly said they will "update" Australia on China's one-child policy but will not treat the policy as a "human rights issue." There will be no field trip. China Severely Restricts NGO Participation -------------- ¶3. (C) Purtell said China proposed holding a joint press conference with Australia at the conclusion of the May 1 dialogue round, consistent with past practice between the two countries. The Chinese delegation also agreed to meet with six NGOs in Canberra. However, China will not permit Amnesty International, Tibet-related Australian NGOs or certain other NGOs that have participated in past meetings to attend. Purtell said there is a "60 percent" chance that Australia will cancel the NGO meeting rather than accede to Chinese limitations, a "40 percent" chance that Australia will accept Chinese limitations and hold the meeting and only a "small chance" that Australia will cancel the entire dialogue round due to such limitations. Agreement on Dialogue Follows Rudd's Visit, Criticism -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) China's confirmation that it will move forward with dialogue came immediately following the conclusion of Prime Minister Rudd's visit to China, Purtell noted. Though Rudd spoke critically of China's record on human rights and the crackdown in Tibet, including during a speech delivered at Peking University (Beida),Purtell said MFA officials have not "taken this out" on the Sino-Australian dialogue. Purtell said Peking University officials privately stated that they "loved Rudd's speech" despite the criticism on human rights, because Rudd displayed a "nuanced understanding of history" and a "sense of how to approach his audience." (Note: Netizens have criticized Rudd's Beida speech as "harsh," while official state media have given scant coverage of Rudd's critical comments on issues, especially his remarks BEIJING 00001512 002 OF 002 on "significant" human rights problems in Tibet. The official English-language China Daily, for example, only briefly acknowledged that Rudd raised Tibet human rights issues. PRC media have paid much more attention to Rudd's offer of "true friendship" (zhengyou) to China, which Rudd defined in his speech as "a partner who sees beyond immediate benefit to the broader and firm basis for continuing, profound and sincere friendship.") PICCUTA