CHINESE MFA ON HANDLING TAIWAN ISSUE AT UNGA

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