Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIJING3176
2008-08-19 10:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

CHINA OPPOSES TAIWAN ARMS SALES, DALAI LAMA VISIT;

Tags:  PREL MASS PHUM KIRF KOLY CH TW 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3805
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #3176/01 2321044
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 191044Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9280
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003176 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2033
TAGS: PREL MASS PHUM KIRF KOLY CH TW
SUBJECT: CHINA OPPOSES TAIWAN ARMS SALES, DALAI LAMA VISIT;
AMBASSADOR RAISES HUMAN RIGHTS CASES

Classified By: Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003176

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2033
TAGS: PREL MASS PHUM KIRF KOLY CH TW
SUBJECT: CHINA OPPOSES TAIWAN ARMS SALES, DALAI LAMA VISIT;
AMBASSADOR RAISES HUMAN RIGHTS CASES

Classified By: Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

Summary
--------------


1. (C) Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi requested
a meeting with the Ambassador August 19 to warn of
damage to bilateral relations and cross-Strait
stability if the United States announces new advanced
weapons sales to Taiwan. Liu expressed concern that
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou discussed arms purchases
during his recent U.S. transit stop. The Ambassador
responded that the United States remains committed to
its one-China policy and the Taiwan Relations Act
(TRA) and is encouraged by positive developments in
cross-Strait relations. However, China's continuing
rapid build-up of military forces along the Strait is
noted. On Tibet, Liu warned of "serious negative
consequences" to bilateral ties if senior American
officials meet the Dalai Lama during his upcoming
visit to the United States. The Ambassador explained
that the Dalai Lama is an internationally revered
religious figure and U.S. officials meet with him in
that capacity. The Ambassador expressed U.S. concern
over harassment of Hua Huiqi, who was detained on his
way to an August 10 church service attended by
President Bush, and the house arrest of Zeng Jinyan,
the wife of imprisoned rights activist Hu Jia. End
summary.

Taiwan Arms Sales
--------------


2. (C) In an August 19 meeting with the Ambassador,
AFM Liu Jieyi said that Chinese officials recently
heard that the Administration may soon notify Congress
about a U.S. sale to Taiwan of a package of advanced
weapons that would include Patriot PAC III surface-to-
air missiles, "E2-2000" aircraft (note: Liu probably
meant E2 Hawkeye aircraft),Apache and Blackhawk
helicopters, Harpoon surfce-to-surface missiles as
well as anti-tank missiles. Liu added that it had
come to China's attention that during Taiwan President
Ma Ying-Jeou's recent transit of the United States,
these sales were discussed and "certain individuals"
suggested that Taiwan should also procure F-16 C/D

fighter aircraft.


3. (C) Liu told the Ambassador that any such weapons
sales to Taiwan would seriously violate the principles
of the three Joint Communiques, constitute an
"unacceptable interference in China's internal
affairs" and hamper China's national reunification.
China firmly opposes such weapons sales, he
continued. Liu noted that recent positive
developments in cross-Strait relations are in the
interest of many countries, including the United
States, and he urged the United States to handle
relations with Taiwan prudently so as to avoid harming
Sino-U.S. ties and hampering cross-Strait relations.


4. (C) In response, the Ambassador stressed the United
States' continuing commitment to our one-China policy,
the three Joint Communiques and the Taiwan Relations
Act (TRA). The United States, he stated, does not
support Taiwan independence. The United States is
encouraged by positive developments in cross-Strait
relations. However, China's continuing rapid build-up
and deployment of military forces along the Strait is
noted.


5. (C) AFM Liu reiterated China's firm opposition to
U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. China's military
deployments are designed to prevent Taiwan separatist
elements from creating a dangerous situation and are
no threat to the Taiwan people or to cross-Strait
stability, he averred.

Dalai Lama Visit to United States
--------------


6. (C) AFM Liu said his Government had heard of the
possibility that the Dalai Lama will make another trip
to the United States and that some "people are trying
to set up a meeting" between the Dalai Lama and the
President in September. China is seriously concerned
and "firmly opposed" to such a visit. AFM Liu said
the Chinese side has made its position clear directly
to the National Security Council, but that "there does
not seem to be sufficient attention given to Chinese

BEIJING 00003176 002 OF 002


concerns" and China is "strongly dissatisfied."


7. (C) AFM Liu then delivered standard PRC points that
the Dalai Lama is seeking to split China and sabotage
ethnic unity and social stability in the name of
religion and peace and that a visit by the Dalai Lama
would be used to "create opportunities" for separatist
activities and to "smear" China's image and damage
U.S.-China relations. Any contact with senior
officials "in any form" would send the wrong signal to
the Dalai Lama and separatist forces and harm the
U.S.-China relationship. China's differences with the
Dalai Lama are not about religion, ethnic groups, or
human rights, Liu asserted, but about national unity.
China has recently engaged in two rounds of contacts
and dialogue with the private representatives of the
Dalai Lama, and this dialogue can move forward if the
Dalai Lama publicly and clearly commits himself to
stop all interference in the Olympics, cease inciting
violence and terrorism by "Tibetan youth groups," and
halt his support of Tibetan independence.


8. (C) The U.S.-China relationship is enjoying good
momentum, Liu added, with fruitful coordination and
cooperation on a host of issues. President Bush and
his family just concluded a successful visit to
Beijing, and maintaining good relations is in the
interest of both sides. The United States should not
allow the Dalai Lama to visit, much less meet with
senior officials. If the United States allows the
Dalai Lama to visit despite China's position, then
there will be "serious negative consequences to our
relationship."


9. (C) The Ambassador responded that U.S. policy
remains consistent and clear: Tibet is a part of
China. The United States, however, does have a
different view of the Dalai Lama; we view him as an
internationally revered religious figure. U.S.
officials have met with the Dalai Lama as such a
figure in the past and likely will in the future. The
United States supports dialogue between the PRC
Government and the Dalai Lama, and we hope recent
dialogue will continue, be substantive and bring
meaningful improvements to the situation on the ground
in Tibetan areas. We believe China should be able to
work with the Dalai Lama to address Tibet-related
issues. The Dalai Lama does not seek independence for
Tibet, but rather autonomy.


10. (C) AMF Liu replied that the objectives of the
Dalai Lama's travel to countries around the world are
political in nature. Liu claimed that the Dalai
Lama's definition of autonomy goes "far beyond
autonomy."

Human Rights: Hua Huiqi and Zeng Jinyan
--------------


11. (C) The Ambassador noted reports that house church
leader Hua Huiqi and his brother were detained while
en route to Kuanjie Church on August 10, the morning
that President Bush attended worship services there.
The Ambassador reminded AFM Liu that Hua reportedly
remains in hiding, despite Chinese Government claims
that he is now "free." The Ambassador pressed the
Chinese authorities to stop harassing Hua and his
family members immediately.


12. (C) The Ambassador urged China to immediately
release rights activist Zeng Jinyan (wife of
imprisoned rights activist Hu Jia) from house arrest.
AFM Liu said he was "not sure" whether "detentions"
had taken place in the cases of Hua and Zeng but
offered that "there are laws in place" in China and
such cases "are dealt with according to law." The
Ambasasador urged China to restore Zeng's right of
peaceful expression.
RANDT