Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIJING3056
2008-08-07 09:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

TAO CHIEF TOUTS "FAMILY TIES" IN WELCOMING TAIWAN

Tags:  PGOV PREL KOLY CH TW 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5424
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #3056 2200952
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 070952Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9054
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 003056 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2033
TAGS: PGOV PREL KOLY CH TW
SUBJECT: TAO CHIEF TOUTS "FAMILY TIES" IN WELCOMING TAIWAN
POLITICOS TO OLYMPICS

REF: TAIPEI 1147

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson.
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

Taiwan Politicos in Beijing for the Olympics
--------------------------------------------

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 003056

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2033
TAGS: PGOV PREL KOLY CH TW
SUBJECT: TAO CHIEF TOUTS "FAMILY TIES" IN WELCOMING TAIWAN
POLITICOS TO OLYMPICS

REF: TAIPEI 1147

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson.
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

Taiwan Politicos in Beijing for the Olympics
--------------


1. (U) On August 5 PRC State Council Taiwan Affairs Office
(TAO) Director Wang Yi greeted Taiwan Kuomintang (KMT) Party
Honorary Chair Lien Chan and wife upon arrival at Beijing
Airport and later that evening hosted a dinner for them at
the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, according to press reports.
Wang noted that as people from both sides of the Strait are
the "same family," athletes from "Chinese Taipei" (Zhonghua
Taibei) should treat the Beijing Olympics as their "home
court." Wang expressed hope that the Olympics would develop
"greater affection" and increase cooperation between the two
sides in order to usher in a "new phase" of peaceful
development in cross-Strait relations. The media reports
quoted Lien as calling the Olympics a "great accomplishment
for the Chinese nation and saying he was "deeply honored" to
be able to personally witness the event.


2. (U) On August 6 Wang greeted Taiwan People's First Party
Chairman James Soong at the airport. Soong noted on his
arrival that Beijing's hosting of the Olympics shows China's
"long and glorious history" as well as its "bright future."

Read-outs of the Official Meetings
--------------


3. (C) TAO official Chen Xiaolin told PolOff on August 6 that
meetings between Wang Yi and Lien Chan were a "courtesy call"
and that "no serious discussions of policy took place" during
the meeting. As reported in the media, Chen said the
meeting's main purpose was to welcome Lien to the Olympics.
Chen noted that the TAO has few duties related to the
Olympics, being responsible only for hosting Lien, KMT
Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung and Soong during their stay. The
three Taiwan ministers (sports, education, and minister
without portfolio),along with all the "Zhonghua Taipei"
athletes, are being hosted by the Beijing Olympic Committee.
Beijing University Professor Zhu Feng told PolOffs on August
6 that the Lien-Wang meeting was "superficial," adding that
Lien was pleased because it was the first time he had met
Wang Yi.
RANDT