AFM LIU JIEYI EXPRESSES CONCERNS RE TAIWAN ARMS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003402 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2033 TAGS: PREL PARM MASS MARR MOPS CH TW SUBJECT: AFM LIU JIEYI EXPRESSES CONCERNS RE TAIWAN ARMS SALES, VISITS REF: A. BEIJING 3400 ¶B. BEIJING 3401 Classified By: Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi called in the Ambassador on September 3 to register firm opposition to possible U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, saying such sales would "seriously harm" bilateral relations, cooperation on international issues, and cross-Strait relations. AFM Liu expressed concern about having senior U.S. officials attend the national security dialogue meeting and about "enhanced" official and military ties demonstrated by allowing Taiwan's Defense Minister to travel to the United States for the annual Defense Industry Conference. AFM Liu expressed opposition to the travel to the United States of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chair Tsai Ing-wen and former Vice President Annette Lu, saying that the United States should not allow its territory to be used for Taiwan independence activities. The Ambassador responded that there is no change in U.S. policy and that we remain committed to our one China policy based on the three joint communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. He called on China to reduce military deployments opposite Taiwan and to peacefully resolve cross-Strait differences. (The Ambassador also raised an Iran proliferation case and urged Chinese support for an India exception at an upcoming Nuclear Suppliers Group meeting (refs A and B).) End Summary. Possible Arms Sales to Taiwan -------------- ¶2. (C) Assistant Foreign Minister (AFM) Liu Jieyi, speaking on instructions, noted that China had received "no reassuring news" in response to its serious concerns expressed on many occasions in both Beijing and Washington about U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. He noted that based on various reports, the United States is planning to sell PAC-3 missile defense and other advanced weapons worth $10 billion and the Administration may notify the U.S. Congress of this intention shortly. Taiwan leaders have openly expressed hope that the United States will proceed with the sale of advanced weapons. In addition there are reports that the United States has decided to deliver 60 Harpoon anti-ship missiles to Taiwan. China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed to such sales. ¶3. (C) AFM Liu emphasized that the Taiwan issue remains the most important and sensitive issue in U.S.-China relations, as it relates to Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity. The possible arms sales would seriously violate the three joint communiques, including commitments made by the United States in the August 17, 1982 communique. Such sales would represent serious interference in China's internal affairs and would damage China's security and harm the cause of peaceful reunification of China. For these reasons, China is firmly opposed to such sales. ¶4. (C) AFM Liu noted the recent POSITIVE developments and good momentum in cross-Strait relations are in line with the interests of all sides, including the United States. Regardless of the progress in cross-Strait relations, however, the one China principle will never change. China is firm in its opposition to separatist activity and in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. China also opposes external interference in its affairs. The United States has said it supports the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, but its words should be translated into action. A good external atmosphere for cross-Strait relations must be maintained, and the United States should not take actions, such as arms sales, that would interfere with the development of cross-Strait relations. ¶5. (C) Liu pointed out that through joint efforts, there is good momentum in U.S.-China relations. The two sides have communicated and coordinated on key international and regional issues. This situation was "hard to come by" and should be valued. If the United States disregards China's concerns and approves weapons sales, China will "respond strongly," and this could seriously damage relations and cooperation in important areas as well as seriously interfere in the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. AFM Liu strongly urged the United States to not sell weapons to BEIJING 00003402 002 OF 002 Taiwan and requested that China's concerns be reported to the highest level of the U.S. Government. He closed by saying that the issue is of "great importance" and that Chinese officials are "very concerned" about what they have been hearing. U.S.-Taiwan Security Dialogue -------------- ¶6. (C) AFM Liu said that there are reports the United States, at a senior level, is planning to resume the "senior national security dialogue" with Taiwan authorities and that Taiwan's "so-called" Defense Minister Chen Chao-min will attend the Defense Industry Forum sponsored by the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council. As the Chinese Embassy has made clear in Washington, China is firmly opposed to official and military exchanges between the United States and Taiwan, and such an "enhancement" of relations would violate the three communiques, harm bilateral relations and negatively affect cross-Strait developments. China calls on the United States to uphold the one China principle, oppose Taiwan independence, and cancel the dialogue. The United States should also not allow Defense Minister Chen to travel to the United States, should stop all official and military exchanges, and there should be no "upgrade" in U.S.-Taiwan relations. Travel by DPP Char and Former Vice President -------------- ¶7. (C) AFM Liu raised the reported planned travel of DPP Chair Tsai Ing-wen to the Untied States and plans by former Vice President Annette Lu to attend a women's conference in Mexico in connection with which she may request a transit stop in the United States. Liu averred that Taiwan independence is the biggest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and China is firmly opposed to Taiwan independence elements using U.S. territory to engage in separatist activities. He urged the United States not to let people who advocate Taiwan independence to engage in such activities in the United States, since allowing such activities would send a wrong signal to Taiwan independence forces. Ambassador Responds: No Change in U.S. Policy -------------- ¶8. (C) The Ambassador responded that U.S. policy on these matters has not changed. He reiterated the U.S. commitment to our one China policy based on the three joint U.S.-China communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. Noting that we do not support Taiwan independence, the Ambassador said that as provided for in the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States does make available to Taiwan defense articles that will allow Taiwan to maintain a credible defense. He urged China to reduce military deployments aimed at Taiwan and to pursue a peaceful resolution to cross-Strait issues. ¶9. (C) With regard to visits by Taiwan authorities to the United States, the Ambassador emphasized that there is no change in U.S. policy. U.S. officials do meet, from time to time, with representatives of the Taiwan authorities in a manner consistent with our one China policy and with our unofficial ties with the people of Taiwan. We are encouraged by the restart of cross-Strait dialogue to work toward a peaceful resolution of differences. AFM Liu's Rejoinder -------------- ¶10. (C) AFM Liu retorted that China's military deployments are not directed against the people of Taiwan, but rather guard against Taiwan independence efforts and the problems they may create. He urged the United States not to go ahead with arms sales in order to avoid "serious and negative repercussions," and noted again that the issue touches on China's core national interests. RANDT