Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIJING3320
2008-08-27 11:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
CHINESE MFA ON HANDLING TAIWAN ISSUE AT UNGA
how-toVZCZCXRO9554 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #3320 2401111 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 271111Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9575 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 003320
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA TW CH
SUBJECT: CHINESE MFA ON HANDLING TAIWAN ISSUE AT UNGA
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson for reasons
1.4 (B/D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 003320
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA TW CH
SUBJECT: CHINESE MFA ON HANDLING TAIWAN ISSUE AT UNGA
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson for reasons
1.4 (B/D).
1. (C) MFA International Organizations and Conferences
Department UN Division Acting Director Sun Xiaobo told POLOFF
August 27 that China acknowledges that cross-Strait relations
have improved greatly. China also notes that the UN General
Assembly (UNGA) proposal sponsored by Nauru, Gambia, and
other Taiwan allies calling for "Taiwan's participation in
the activities of United Nations specialized agencies"
differs from Taiwan's UN membership proposals in past years.
However, China still regards the recent Taiwan-instigated
proposal as a violation of the PRC's one China principle and
opposes it resolutely. Therefore, China will seek to block
discussion of the proposal in the same way as in 2007.
2. (C) Specifically, China will in UNGA General Committee
informal discussions seek agreement on a "two-plus-two
formula." Under that formula, in the General Committee, only
two members would speak in favor of the proposal's inclusion
on the UNGA agenda and only two members would speak in
opposition. If the General Committee were not to agree to
exclude the proposal from the agenda by consensus, China
would bring the matter to a vote.
3. (C) Sun said China's goal is to exclude completely
discussion of the resolution at the actual UNGA session. He
acknowledged, however, that in practical terms it is nearly
impossible to prevent Taiwan's allies from raising the issue
in UNGA debate.
RANDT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA TW CH
SUBJECT: CHINESE MFA ON HANDLING TAIWAN ISSUE AT UNGA
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson for reasons
1.4 (B/D).
1. (C) MFA International Organizations and Conferences
Department UN Division Acting Director Sun Xiaobo told POLOFF
August 27 that China acknowledges that cross-Strait relations
have improved greatly. China also notes that the UN General
Assembly (UNGA) proposal sponsored by Nauru, Gambia, and
other Taiwan allies calling for "Taiwan's participation in
the activities of United Nations specialized agencies"
differs from Taiwan's UN membership proposals in past years.
However, China still regards the recent Taiwan-instigated
proposal as a violation of the PRC's one China principle and
opposes it resolutely. Therefore, China will seek to block
discussion of the proposal in the same way as in 2007.
2. (C) Specifically, China will in UNGA General Committee
informal discussions seek agreement on a "two-plus-two
formula." Under that formula, in the General Committee, only
two members would speak in favor of the proposal's inclusion
on the UNGA agenda and only two members would speak in
opposition. If the General Committee were not to agree to
exclude the proposal from the agenda by consensus, China
would bring the matter to a vote.
3. (C) Sun said China's goal is to exclude completely
discussion of the resolution at the actual UNGA session. He
acknowledged, however, that in practical terms it is nearly
impossible to prevent Taiwan's allies from raising the issue
in UNGA debate.
RANDT