MINISTER OF CIVIL AFFAIRS DISCUSSES PARALYMPICS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 003476 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS MOPS SOCI EAID SENV KOLY CH SUBJECT: MINISTER OF CIVIL AFFAIRS DISCUSSES PARALYMPICS, DISASTER RELIEF, ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS Sensitive but unclassified. Please handle accordingly. Not for Internet. Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) In a September 5 meeting, Minister of Civil Affairs Li Xueju welcomed Secretary of Veterans Affairs James B. Peake, head of the U.S. Presidential Delegation to the Paralympic Games, and wished U.S. athletes success. Minister Li said that with assistance from the international community, the Chinese people have achieved an "interim victory" in earthquake relief and are now turning attention to reconstruction in Sichuan and other earthquake-affected areas. On veterans' issues, Minister Li shared China's experience with helping resettle and reemploy veterans and expressed a desire to learn from the U.S. experience. He said that one of the biggest challenges facing China is to provide resettlement and health care services for demobilized soldiers, adding that China has had only limited success and "many problems" addressing this issue. He said that his Ministry is trying to come up with a "reasonable, uniform" system of support for veterans. In response, Secretary Peake noted that the United States also faces natural disasters and the Department of Veterans Affairs works with other agencies to deal with such contingencies. He said that the United States also faces challenges in helping men and women transition from active service to civilian life and noted that the department provides health care, educational assistance, and preferential housing loans to veterans. Secretary Peake and Minister Li agreed to maintain communication and cooperation on issues of common concern. End Summary. Paralympics Hope to Build on Olympics' Success -------------- - ¶2. (SBU) In a September 5 meeting with Secretary of Veterans Affairs James B. Peake, head of the U.S. Presidential Delegation to the Paralympic Games, Chinese Minister of Civil Affairs Li Xueju noted that the recently concluded Olympic Games were "very successful." They helped promote the Olympic spirit of solidarity and friendship. He congratulated the United States on winning the most medals and praised the U.S. performance, especially those of swimmer Michael Phelps and the U.S. men's basketball team, which he said left a "deep impression" on the Chinese. Minister Li said that President Bush's attendance at the opening ceremony, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao's attendance at the closing ceremony, and now Secretary Peake's visit show U.S. support for the Olympics and Paralympics. Hosting Secretary Peake as head of the U.S. Paralympic Delegation is a "great honor," Minister Li said, and he extended his "best wishes" for U.S. success in the Paralympics. Earthquake Relief -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Minister Li noted that the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) has played an important role in disaster relief in the wake of the May 12 earthquake centered in Wenchuan, Sichuan Province. Noting "very serious losses" from the quake, Minister Li said he visited the affected area six times. Due to efforts of the Government and the Chinese people, as well as help from the international community, an "interim victory" has been achieved in relief efforts. The basic needs of victims have been addressed, but now the Chinese Government and people must turn to the reconstruction effort. He expressed appreciation for the condolences expressed by U.S. Government officials and ordinary Americans as well as for U.S. support for the disaster relief effort. MCA Responsible for Veterans -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Minister Li stated that the MCA deals with providing resettlement, retraining, and employment assistance to retired and demobilized soldiers from the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police. Noting that Li's predecessor, Doje Cering, visited the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 2002 to exchange views on these issues, Minister Li said that his Ministry remains interested in studying U.S. experiences and ideas. ¶5. (SBU) Minister Li explained that the MCA helps to provide BEIJING 00003476 002 OF 003 preferential treatment for veterans to prepare them for civilian life, including assistance in obtaining employment and housing and/or training veterans to start their own businesses. The Ministry provides additional benefits for the families of soldiers, police, or workers who are martyred or disabled, including special consideration for housing, healthcare insurance and providing regular living allowances. Veterans with slight disabilities are eligible for programs to help them find jobs equal to their capacity. Individuals with more serious disabilities are provided institutional care. Challenges in Heath Care, Resettlement -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Minster Li explained that China's biggest challenges with assisting veterans are the issues of healthcare and resettlement. Many of the veterans have chronic ailments or because of advanced age may have frequent health issues. The Chinese health care system lacks capacity to provide needed care, but the Ministry is working on more preferential policies to help improve healthcare for veterans. 7 (SBU) Arranging resettlement and employment for all the demobilized soldiers is also difficult, Minister Li said. Despite Government efforts to assist veterans, there have been "many problems." (Note: Demobilized soldiers have staged demonstrations in recent years, the most well-known of which was in April 2005, when 1600 demobilized officers marched on the PLA's General Political Department in Beijing.) Li noted that though the MCA is trying to create a "reasonable, uniform" system of support for veterans, because of "differing local conditions" in China, some areas have had success in resettling veterans and others have not been so successful. Minister Li said that in addition to Government efforts, Chinese society should also play a role in helping veterans reintegrate in society, adding that during wars, it is easy to love the troops, but less so in peacetime. Minister Li expressed hope that the military's outstanding contribution to quake relief, in which as many as 100,000 soldiers went to the front line to face the dangerous conditions, will increase society's "love and support" of veterans. Honored to Lead Paralympics Delegation -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Saying he was honored to lead the U.S. Presidential Delegation to the Paralympics, Secretary Peake expressed appreciation for Minister Li's hospitality and admiration for the efforts Beijing has made to host the Olympics and Paralympics, noting he personally stayed up "many late nights" watching the games. Secretary Peake wished the 330 Chinese athletes participating in the Paralympic Games as much success in the Paralympics as their counterparts enjoyed in the Olympics. United States Also Plagued by Natural Disasters -------------- -- ¶9. (SBU) Expressing sympathy over the May earthquake, Secretary Peake said that the United States also must deal with the "power of Mother Nature," noting the damage caused recently by Hurricane Gustav and the potential additional disruptions from two more hurricanes currently moving off the east coast of the United States. While the first duty of the military is to defend the country, the U.S. military also can provide stability, hope and safety in times of natural calamities. In the face of natural disasters, the Department of Veterans Affairs has provided needed facilities and has coordinated with other agencies to move veterans and provide home loans for reconstruction. Care of Veterans Inspires Service to Country -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Secretary Peake noted that the U.S. Government deals with similar issues as China in helping men and women transfer from active duty to civilian life. The Department is heavily involved in providing healthcare and has a network of hospitals and clinics for veterans. For those who are disabled, the U.S. Government provides compensation, training, educational benefits, and home purchase support. George Washington once observed that the way a country treats its veterans determines the willingness of others to serve BEIJING 00003476 003 OF 003 their country. Noting that every country faces challenges in reemploying veterans, Secretary Peake expressed appreciation for Minister's Li's insights into China's situation. Secretary Peake and Minister Li each expressed willingness to increase communication and cooperation in relevant fields. ¶11. (U) The delegation cleared this message. RANDT