Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIJING2680
2008-07-09 09:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
PRC: MFA BRIEFING ON UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S VISIT
how-toVZCZCXRO2647 OO RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHGH RUEHPB RUEHTRO RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #2680/01 1910950 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 090950Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8497 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHSB/AMEMBASSY HARARE PRIORITY 0149 RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON PRIORITY 4722 RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0002 RUEHPS/AMEMBASSY PRISTINA PRIORITY RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 2013 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 4562 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 2033 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 002680
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO ECON EAID EAGR SENV KOLY MNUC
KS, KN, KV, BU, ZI, SU, CH
SUBJECT: PRC: MFA BRIEFING ON UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S VISIT
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Ben Moeling. Reason
s 1.4 (b) and (d).
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 002680
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO ECON EAID EAGR SENV KOLY MNUC
KS, KN, KV, BU, ZI, SU, CH
SUBJECT: PRC: MFA BRIEFING ON UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S VISIT
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Ben Moeling. Reason
s 1.4 (b) and (d).
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged China to take
a more active leadership role on global food security,
climate change, and the Millennium Development Goals during a
July 1-3 visit to Beijing. Chinese leaders told Ban that
China strongly supports the UN's efforts on all these issues
(and Premier Wen Jiabao will "seriously consider" attending
the September 25 High Level Meeting on the MDGs) but is
focused on its own development. The Chinese informed Ban
that China's contingent of peacekeepers in Darfur will be
fully deployed by mid-July, and that China has agreed to
redeploy UNAMIS engineers now posted in South Sudan to UNAMID
in Darfur to help ameliorate serious shortages of fresh
water. Ban also discussed Zimbabwe (Chinese leaders
counseled "time and patience" from the international
community for Africa's efforts to solve the problems in
Zimbabwe),Burma (China will continue to support the UN's
"good offices" in Burma and Senior Advisor Ibrahim Gambari's
mission),and Kosovo (China is open to a solution, so long as
it is based on UNSCR 1244 and has Pristina's and Belgrade's
concurrence). Extensive consultations on UN reform are
necessary to achieve the "broadest possible consensus," the
Chinese told Ban. End Summary.
2. (C) MFA International Organizations and Conferences
Department UN Division Deputy Director Sun Xiaobo briefed
PolOff July 8 on the July 1-3 visit of UN Secretary General
(UNSYG) Ban Ki-moon to Beijing. During his visit, Ban met
Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, State
Councilor Dai Bingguo and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. Ban
also spoke at Beijing's Foreign Affairs University, met
Chinese entrepreneurs, visited Olympic sites and made an
unpublicized visit to AIDS patients at a local hospital.
China and the United Nations
--------------
3. (C) Sun said that Ban had praised China's "active and
constructive" role as a permanent member of the UN Security
Council (UNSC) and in the international community. Ban
specifically noted China's role in the Six Party Talks and
China's development assistance to Africa. Ban also expressed
his hope that China would take a larger role on international
issues and specifically requested that China do more on
climate change, food security and the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs). The latter remarks were reported candidly in
the state-controlled Chinese press. Chinese leaders praised
Ban's work to date as UNSYG and told Ban that China firmly
supports the UN's role and will always work in "a responsible
and constructive manner" with the UN. Chinese leaders,
however, asked Ban to understand China's limitations and
preoccupation with pursuing its own development.
Food Security
--------------
4. (C) Sun said that in his meetings Ban gave the most
emphasis to three topics: food security, climate change and
the MDGs. On food security, Premier Wen Jiabao stressed that
China feeds 22 percent of the world's population with nine
percent of the world's arable land and seven percent of the
world's supply of fresh water. This achievement in itself is
China's contribution to global food security. However,
despite China's challenges in pursuing its own development,
the Chinese Government still assists other nations,
particularly in Africa, with direct food assistance and by
sharing agricultural technology.
Climate Change
--------------
5. (C) Sun said that Ban urged China to take more of a
leadership role in addressing climate change. Chinese
leaders responded to Ban that China is actively engaged in
efforts to improve its environment and "fully supports the
BEIJING 00002680 002 OF 003
Bali Roadmap based on the framework of sustainable
development while maintaining the principle of common but
differentiated responsibility for climate change and equal
emphasis on mitigation and adaptation." China also stresses
the important role of technological innovation and
technological transfer in addressing the climate change
issue.
Millennium Development Goals
--------------
6. (C) Chinese leaders told Ban that China attaches great
importance to the achievement of the MDGs and will continue
to support fully the UN's leading role on this issue.
Chinese leaders also noted the importance of "south-south
cooperation" on achieving the MDGs. Premier Wen told Ban
that because of China's many critical domestic issues he is
reluctant to commit to attending the UNSYG's September 25
High Level Meeting to review progress on the MDGs. However,
given the importance of the issue to the world and to China,
Wen promised to "seriously consider" attending.
UN Reform
--------------
7. (C) Sun said that Ban raised the importance of UN reform.
Ban said he particularly hoped to reform the UN's Department
of Economic and Social Affairs and the Department of
Political Affairs and hoped for China's strong support in
this effort. Ban acknowledged in meetings with Chinese
counterparts that reform is "a process rather than a single
event." Chinese leaders, Sun said, expressed support for
efforts to make the UN more transparent, efficient and
accountable. Ban said he supports reform of the UN Security
Council (UNSC) but acknowledged deep divisions among member
states on the proper reforms. Ban pledged to coordinate with
the UN General Assembly (UNGA) President to facilitate
discussions of UNSC reform but said the issue is ultimately
up to the member states. Sun said that Chinese leaders also
expressed support for UNSC reform but China believes that
extensive consultations are necessary to achieve the broadest
possible consensus on this issue.
Peacekeeping
--------------
8. (C) Sun said Ban expressed appreciation for China's
providing peacekeepers around the world and recalled in
meetings the many times he had encountered Chinese
peacekeepers during his travels. Ban urged China to
contribute even more to peacekeeping efforts, especially in
Sudan. In response, Chinese leaders had informed Ban that
China's contingent of peacekeepers in Darfur will be fully
deployed by mid-July. China has also agreed to redeploy
engineers now posted with UNAMIS in South Sudan to UNAMID in
Darfur to help ameliorate serious shortages of fresh water.
Zimbabwe
--------------
9. (C) Sun said that Ban had briefed Chinese leaders on his
views on the situation in Zimbabwe and his proposal for a
joint UN-African Union (AU) Special Envoy on Zimbabwe.
Chinese leaders had responded that the international
community should listen carefully to the views of African
countries on the situation in Zimbabwe and work through the
AU and the South African Development Conference (SADC). Sun
said China's understanding is that the "latest AU
declaration" appealed to the parties in the political
conflict in Zimbabwe to settle their differences through
dialogue and had urged outside countries to avoid actions
that might "harm the environment for a solution." In sum,
China counsels that the international community should give
"time and patience" to Africa's efforts to solve the problems
in Zimbabwe.
Burma
--------------
10. (C) According to Sun, Ban told Chinese leaders that he is
BEIJING 00002680 003 OF 003
"satisfied" with the Burmese Government's cooperation with
relief efforts to the victims of Cyclone Nargis. According
to Sun, Ban acknowledged that the World Food program now
operates ten helicopters in Burma and that relief workers no
longer face obstacles to their work. Ban said, however, that
the UNSYG would like to see great cooperation from the
Burmese Government on domestic political reform. Sun said
that Chinese leaders told Ban that China will continue to
support fully the UN's "good offices" in Burma and the work
of Senior Advisor Ibrahim Gambari. However China's view is
that political reform in Burma is chiefly the responsibility
of the Burmese Government and the Burmese people. Thus, China
hopes that the UNSYG and Gambari can forge a better
relationship with the Burmese Government.
Kosovo
--------------
11. (C) Sun said that Ban only briefly spoke about the latest
"package" to resolve the situation in Kosovo. Chinese
leaders had said that China is "completely open" to a
resolution of the Kosovo problem on the basis of UNSC
Resolution (UNSCR) 1244 and subject to the agreement of both
Belgrade and Pristina. So far, Sun noted, there are still
widely different views among Council members on Kosovo.
Olympics
--------------
12. (C) Sun said that Ban had expressed his support for a
successful Olympic Games and commended China's preparations
for the Games.
Six Party Talks
--------------
13. (C) Sun said that State Councilor Dai Bingguo had
briefed Ban on the current progress in the Six Party Talks.
Sun stressed that while Ban had offered the UN's help on the
Six Party Talks, the Six Party process is completely separate
from the UN and China had briefed Ban only because of Ban's
"personal interest."
One China Policy
--------------
14. (C) Sun said that Ban had reaffirmed the UN's "one China
policy" during his visit.
No Mention of Refugees
--------------
15. (C) Sun said that Ban did not mention UNHCR issues or
refugees during his visit.
RANDT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO ECON EAID EAGR SENV KOLY MNUC
KS, KN, KV, BU, ZI, SU, CH
SUBJECT: PRC: MFA BRIEFING ON UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S VISIT
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Ben Moeling. Reason
s 1.4 (b) and (d).
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged China to take
a more active leadership role on global food security,
climate change, and the Millennium Development Goals during a
July 1-3 visit to Beijing. Chinese leaders told Ban that
China strongly supports the UN's efforts on all these issues
(and Premier Wen Jiabao will "seriously consider" attending
the September 25 High Level Meeting on the MDGs) but is
focused on its own development. The Chinese informed Ban
that China's contingent of peacekeepers in Darfur will be
fully deployed by mid-July, and that China has agreed to
redeploy UNAMIS engineers now posted in South Sudan to UNAMID
in Darfur to help ameliorate serious shortages of fresh
water. Ban also discussed Zimbabwe (Chinese leaders
counseled "time and patience" from the international
community for Africa's efforts to solve the problems in
Zimbabwe),Burma (China will continue to support the UN's
"good offices" in Burma and Senior Advisor Ibrahim Gambari's
mission),and Kosovo (China is open to a solution, so long as
it is based on UNSCR 1244 and has Pristina's and Belgrade's
concurrence). Extensive consultations on UN reform are
necessary to achieve the "broadest possible consensus," the
Chinese told Ban. End Summary.
2. (C) MFA International Organizations and Conferences
Department UN Division Deputy Director Sun Xiaobo briefed
PolOff July 8 on the July 1-3 visit of UN Secretary General
(UNSYG) Ban Ki-moon to Beijing. During his visit, Ban met
Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, State
Councilor Dai Bingguo and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. Ban
also spoke at Beijing's Foreign Affairs University, met
Chinese entrepreneurs, visited Olympic sites and made an
unpublicized visit to AIDS patients at a local hospital.
China and the United Nations
--------------
3. (C) Sun said that Ban had praised China's "active and
constructive" role as a permanent member of the UN Security
Council (UNSC) and in the international community. Ban
specifically noted China's role in the Six Party Talks and
China's development assistance to Africa. Ban also expressed
his hope that China would take a larger role on international
issues and specifically requested that China do more on
climate change, food security and the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs). The latter remarks were reported candidly in
the state-controlled Chinese press. Chinese leaders praised
Ban's work to date as UNSYG and told Ban that China firmly
supports the UN's role and will always work in "a responsible
and constructive manner" with the UN. Chinese leaders,
however, asked Ban to understand China's limitations and
preoccupation with pursuing its own development.
Food Security
--------------
4. (C) Sun said that in his meetings Ban gave the most
emphasis to three topics: food security, climate change and
the MDGs. On food security, Premier Wen Jiabao stressed that
China feeds 22 percent of the world's population with nine
percent of the world's arable land and seven percent of the
world's supply of fresh water. This achievement in itself is
China's contribution to global food security. However,
despite China's challenges in pursuing its own development,
the Chinese Government still assists other nations,
particularly in Africa, with direct food assistance and by
sharing agricultural technology.
Climate Change
--------------
5. (C) Sun said that Ban urged China to take more of a
leadership role in addressing climate change. Chinese
leaders responded to Ban that China is actively engaged in
efforts to improve its environment and "fully supports the
BEIJING 00002680 002 OF 003
Bali Roadmap based on the framework of sustainable
development while maintaining the principle of common but
differentiated responsibility for climate change and equal
emphasis on mitigation and adaptation." China also stresses
the important role of technological innovation and
technological transfer in addressing the climate change
issue.
Millennium Development Goals
--------------
6. (C) Chinese leaders told Ban that China attaches great
importance to the achievement of the MDGs and will continue
to support fully the UN's leading role on this issue.
Chinese leaders also noted the importance of "south-south
cooperation" on achieving the MDGs. Premier Wen told Ban
that because of China's many critical domestic issues he is
reluctant to commit to attending the UNSYG's September 25
High Level Meeting to review progress on the MDGs. However,
given the importance of the issue to the world and to China,
Wen promised to "seriously consider" attending.
UN Reform
--------------
7. (C) Sun said that Ban raised the importance of UN reform.
Ban said he particularly hoped to reform the UN's Department
of Economic and Social Affairs and the Department of
Political Affairs and hoped for China's strong support in
this effort. Ban acknowledged in meetings with Chinese
counterparts that reform is "a process rather than a single
event." Chinese leaders, Sun said, expressed support for
efforts to make the UN more transparent, efficient and
accountable. Ban said he supports reform of the UN Security
Council (UNSC) but acknowledged deep divisions among member
states on the proper reforms. Ban pledged to coordinate with
the UN General Assembly (UNGA) President to facilitate
discussions of UNSC reform but said the issue is ultimately
up to the member states. Sun said that Chinese leaders also
expressed support for UNSC reform but China believes that
extensive consultations are necessary to achieve the broadest
possible consensus on this issue.
Peacekeeping
--------------
8. (C) Sun said Ban expressed appreciation for China's
providing peacekeepers around the world and recalled in
meetings the many times he had encountered Chinese
peacekeepers during his travels. Ban urged China to
contribute even more to peacekeeping efforts, especially in
Sudan. In response, Chinese leaders had informed Ban that
China's contingent of peacekeepers in Darfur will be fully
deployed by mid-July. China has also agreed to redeploy
engineers now posted with UNAMIS in South Sudan to UNAMID in
Darfur to help ameliorate serious shortages of fresh water.
Zimbabwe
--------------
9. (C) Sun said that Ban had briefed Chinese leaders on his
views on the situation in Zimbabwe and his proposal for a
joint UN-African Union (AU) Special Envoy on Zimbabwe.
Chinese leaders had responded that the international
community should listen carefully to the views of African
countries on the situation in Zimbabwe and work through the
AU and the South African Development Conference (SADC). Sun
said China's understanding is that the "latest AU
declaration" appealed to the parties in the political
conflict in Zimbabwe to settle their differences through
dialogue and had urged outside countries to avoid actions
that might "harm the environment for a solution." In sum,
China counsels that the international community should give
"time and patience" to Africa's efforts to solve the problems
in Zimbabwe.
Burma
--------------
10. (C) According to Sun, Ban told Chinese leaders that he is
BEIJING 00002680 003 OF 003
"satisfied" with the Burmese Government's cooperation with
relief efforts to the victims of Cyclone Nargis. According
to Sun, Ban acknowledged that the World Food program now
operates ten helicopters in Burma and that relief workers no
longer face obstacles to their work. Ban said, however, that
the UNSYG would like to see great cooperation from the
Burmese Government on domestic political reform. Sun said
that Chinese leaders told Ban that China will continue to
support fully the UN's "good offices" in Burma and the work
of Senior Advisor Ibrahim Gambari. However China's view is
that political reform in Burma is chiefly the responsibility
of the Burmese Government and the Burmese people. Thus, China
hopes that the UNSYG and Gambari can forge a better
relationship with the Burmese Government.
Kosovo
--------------
11. (C) Sun said that Ban only briefly spoke about the latest
"package" to resolve the situation in Kosovo. Chinese
leaders had said that China is "completely open" to a
resolution of the Kosovo problem on the basis of UNSC
Resolution (UNSCR) 1244 and subject to the agreement of both
Belgrade and Pristina. So far, Sun noted, there are still
widely different views among Council members on Kosovo.
Olympics
--------------
12. (C) Sun said that Ban had expressed his support for a
successful Olympic Games and commended China's preparations
for the Games.
Six Party Talks
--------------
13. (C) Sun said that State Councilor Dai Bingguo had
briefed Ban on the current progress in the Six Party Talks.
Sun stressed that while Ban had offered the UN's help on the
Six Party Talks, the Six Party process is completely separate
from the UN and China had briefed Ban only because of Ban's
"personal interest."
One China Policy
--------------
14. (C) Sun said that Ban had reaffirmed the UN's "one China
policy" during his visit.
No Mention of Refugees
--------------
15. (C) Sun said that Ban did not mention UNHCR issues or
refugees during his visit.
RANDT