U.S. Presidential Paralympics Delegation Meeting with

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 003497 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT PLEASE PASS TO OFFICE VETERANS AFFAIRS WASHDC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MASS KOLY OVIP CH NK IR TW SUBJECT: U.S. Presidential Paralympics Delegation Meeting with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (U) This cable is Sensitive But Unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶1. (U) September 8, 2008; 10:40 am; Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Beijing, China. ¶2. (U) Participants: UNITED STATES Secretary of Veterans Affairs James B. Peake Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr. Kirk Bauer, Executive Director, Disabled Sports USA Jean Driscoll, Paralympic Gold Medalist LTC. Gregory Gadson, United States Army Kevin Szott, Paralympic Gold Medalist Trischa Zorn, Paralympic Gold Medalist Michael Crain, U.S. Embassy Beijing Eric Barboriak, Embassy Political Officer (notetaker) Jim Brown, interpreter PRC Vice President Xi Jinping Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi Director General Zheng Zeguang, MFA North American and Oceanian Affairs Department Deputy Director General Deng Hongbo, MFA North American and Oceanian Affairs Department Assistant to Vice President Xi Jinping Zhong Shaojun MFA notetakers Zhang Yu, interpreter Summary -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Vice President Xi Jinping said the attendance of U.S. Presidential Delegations to the Olympic and Paralympic Games demonstrates U.S. support for China's efforts to host these events. Secretary Peake congratulated China on hosting the Paralympics and offered condolences for the loss of life and property in the aftermath of the May 12 earthquake centered in Sichuan Province. Vice President Xi stated that China's successful hosting of the Paralympics should have a positive effect on the situation of people with disabilities in China. Both the United States and China should adhere to the three Sino-American communiques and must "properly handle sensitive issues and issues of concern to both sides" so that U.S.-China relations will continue to prosper, Vice President Xi said. Taiwan "is the core issue of our bilateral relationship." Noting that we are "now at a critical juncture" and that cross-Strait relations are moving in a positive direction, Vice President Xi stated that China hopes the United States does not sell advanced weapons to Taiwan, and that Taiwan should not join international organizations where state sovereignty is a prerequisite. End Summary. Olympics Congratulations/Earthquake Condolences -------------- -- ¶4. (SBU) In his welcoming remarks, Vice President Xi stated that President Bush's attendance with his family at the Olympics Opening Ceremony, the attendance of the Presidential Delegation led by Secretary of Labor Chao at the Olympics Closing Ceremony, and the participation of the Presidential Delegation led by Secretary Peake in the Paralympics Opening Ceremony demonstrate the support of the U.S. Government and the American people for China's efforts in hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games, support that China very much appreciates. Vice President Xi offered condolences for loss of life and property and encouragement in rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. ¶5. (SBU) Secretary Peake complimented the Chinese Government on hosting a magnificent Opening Ceremony and said the Chinese Government can be rightfully proud of its efforts in hosting the Paralympic Games. Secretary Peake offered "condolences and congratulations" on China's efforts to deal with the May 12 Sichuan earthquake, adding that both countries have faced major challenges from natural disasters. ¶6. (SBU) Vice President Xi stated that the Chinese Government and people appreciate the good wishes and assistance offered by the United States and its people in the wake of the Sichuan earthquake. He said that China "has won victory in the first stage of work" in rescue and disaster assistance and now is in the midst of organizing a post-earthquake rebuilding plan that should be completed within three years. Vice President Xi pointed out that because China must deal with typhoons four to five times per year, it has accumulated experience and knowledge that may be helpful to the United States in dealing with the effects of hurricanes, adding that the United BEIJING 00003497 002 OF 003 States and China should exchange information and develop cooperation in this area. Meaning of the Olympics and Paralympics -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Vice President Xi said that China's success in hosting the Olympics is in promoting the Olympic Spirit. By fulfilling China's 100-year-old dream to host the Olympics, China not only hosted a sports event, but provided an opportunity for the world to build mutual understanding. He said that China's goal is to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games with "equal splendor." Vice President Xi said that the Olympic Spirit stresses "peace and progress," but the Paralympic Spirit stresses "humanitarianism and care for people." He said the success of the Paralympic Games should promote efforts to improve the life of people with disabilities. Situation of Disability in China -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Vice President Xi said that 83 million of the over 600 million people with disabilities in the world live in China. Though China made great efforts in the lead-up to the Paralympic Games, it must do more to help people with disabilities. A successful Paralympic Games will play an important role in raising the general public's awareness of disability issues, which, he said, should help open a "new chapter" for people with disabilities in China. During visits in Beijing, he said he witnessed "obvious changes" and improvements in the situation of the disabled, noting many community-based approaches and the involvement of over 100 organizations in helping people with disabilities. ¶9. (SBU) Vice President Xi noted that China has been sending teams to participate in the Paralympic Games since 1982, and in the Athens Games, China achieved great success, winning the most overall and gold medals. He hopes that such success continues in the Beijing Paralympic Games and that the "never give up" and "self-supporting" attitude of the Paralympic athletes will be an inspiration to people with disabilities and the rest of society. Vice President Xi wished success to the U.S. team and noted already the stiff competition during the events has resulted in China not winning a number of events it had been expected to dominate. ¶10. (SBU) Secretary Peake agreed that the Paralympic Games set an important example that demonstrates individuals can rise above disability and be successful in achievements, adding that he is particularly impressed by the performance of the 300 Chinese athletes participating in the Games. U.S.-China relations -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Vice President Xi stated that U.S.-China relations have been growing steadily and that the two sides have kept "in close contact" through many high-level visits and working-level exchanges. He said the Senior Dialogue and Strategic Economic Dialogue have "produced good results" and helped to expand bilateral cooperation. Vice President Xi noted that the two sides have had "effective consultation" on international and regional issues, including the Six-Party process and consultations on Iran. He said the United States and China have treated each other as "partners" on trade and economic issues. ¶12. (SBU) China attaches great importance to a "constructive, cooperative" relationship with the United States, and "now, at this critical juncture," both sides must remain committed to enhancing bilateral ties through adherence to the three communiques, Vice President Xi said. In addition, the United States and China must "properly handle sensitive issues and issues of concern to both sides." Through this approach, the United States and China will have a "stable, sound, continuously-growing and dynamic" relationship. Taiwan -------------- ¶13. (SBU) Vice President Xi said Taiwan "is the core issue of our bilateral relationship." He noted positive developments in cross-Strait relations and said that China is working to solve problems and issues through "practical means." The promotion of people-to-people, cultural and economic exchanges has been effective in improving cross-Strait relations, which he said, are "heading in a direction" that serves to maintain peace and stability across the Strait and in the Asia-Pacific region. ¶14. (SBU) Vice President Xi said the PRC's one China policy is unchanged and that China appreciates that the United States has maintained its commitment to the one China policy and the three BEIJING 00003497 003 OF 003 communiques. He stated that Taiwan should not be allowed to join international organizations for which state sovereignty is a prerequisite, a position China has stated repeatedly. "In no way," he added, should "a wrong signal be sent to Taiwan independence supporters and separatists" on this issue. Vice President Xi said China hopes the United States will not sell advanced weapons to Taiwan. By adhering to this approach, he said, U.S.-China bilateral relations will grow in a manner that serves the interests of both peoples and the interests of stability in the world. ¶15. (U) The delegation cleared on this cable. RANDT