TIBET: AFM LIU EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER "FREEDOM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003681 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2018 TAGS: PHUM PREL MASS PGOV CH TW SUBJECT: TIBET: AFM LIU EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER "FREEDOM AGENDA LUNCHEON" AND POTUS COMMUNICATION WITH DALAI LAMA Classified By: Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) In a September 23 meeting called by the Chinese side, Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi expressed China's "firm opposition" to plans for President Bush to 1) include Dalai Lama representative Lodi Gyari in a September 23 Freedom Agenda Lunch in New York and 2) engage in communications with the Dalai Lama. In addition, AFM Liu reiterated China's opposition to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. The Ambassador reaffirmed longstanding U.S. policies and views, stressing that China should hold serious, substantive talks with the Dalai Lama's representatives and demonstrate greater respect for peaceful Tibetan religious practices. The Ambassador raised U.S. concerns about jailed Bible printer Shi Weihan. End summary. Tibet Demarche -------------- ¶2. (C) In a September 23 meeting called by the Chinese side, Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi expressed China's "firm opposition" to plans for President Bush to 1) include Dalai Lama representative Lodi Gyari in a September 23 Freedom Agenda Lunch in New York and 2) engage in communications with the Dalai Lama. The Chinese Embassy in Washington recently had, at a very high level, "strongly asked" that the United States cancel the proposed invitation to Lodi Gyari, AFM Liu said. Not only did China not hear anything about cancelling the invitation, but "more disturbingly," there is a "rumor" that President Bush may engage in "some kind of communication" with "the Dalai" prior the September 23 luncheon. If true, this is a matter of the "utmost gravity," to which the Chinese side expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition, AFM Liu stated. ¶3. (C) Reading from prepared points and noting that he was speaking under instruction, AFM Liu said the facts have shown that "the Dalai" is a "political personage" long engaged in activities to split the Motherland and sabotage PRC RELATIONS with other countries. The "Dalai group" recently traveled abroad extensively to push the "internationalization" of the Tibet issue, including by writing letters to President Bush and others urging them to exert pressure on China. All these activities are designed to split China. The U.S. Congress recently adopted an "anti-China" resolution regarding Tibet, which sent a "seriously wrong signal" to the "Dalai Group." "The Dalai" also plans to invite the U.S. Congress to send a delegation to the World Parliamentary Convention on Tibet in Paris next week. ¶4. (C) China has already made demarches on the above issues to the U.S. side, AFM Liu said, so the PRC position should be very clear. Tibet is an internal Chinese issue that bears upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the sentiments of the 1.3 billion Chinese people. The Tibet issue is not about ethnic identity, religion, or human rights. Rather, it is a fundamental issue concerning the unity of the country and activities designed to split China. The door to dialogue with "the Dalai" is always open, AFM Liu asserted, noting that two rounds of contacts and consultations between the two sides have taken place this year. China has agreed in principle to continue such contacts within this year, while remaining firmly opposed to any foreign country or organization intent on interfering in Tibetan issues or China's internal affairs in any form. ¶5. (C) U.S.-China RELATIONS have maintained a stable development, with our two countries closely cooperating and coordinating on a range of important regional and international issues, including international financial stability, AFM Liu stated. It is in our mutual interests to maintain this good momentum in the bilateral relationship. But doing so requires the efforts of both sides, based on mutual respect regarding issues of great concern and vital interests to each side. China urges the United States to see the nature of the "Dalai group" as anti-China and intent on splitting China, and to recognize the "utmost sensitivity" of the Tibet issue. The United States should proceed from the perspective of the overall bilateral relationship. ¶6. (C) The United States therefore should refrain from arranging any kind of communication between the President and "the Dalai," or between other senior officials of both sides, AFM Liu declared. China again urges the United States to cancel the invitation to Lodi Gyari to participate in the September 23 "Freedom Agenda Luncheon." AFM Liu said he also wanted to reiterate China's position urging the United States BEIJING 00003681 002 OF 002 not to do anything to harm the stability of Tibet or interfere in China's internal affairs, so as to avoid harming the "very important" bilateral RELATIONS and cooperation between our two countries. AFM Liu asked that this message be communicated as soon as possible to the U.S. Government and to President Bush himself. Ambassador Responds -------------- ¶7. (C) The Ambassador reaffirmed U.S. recognition that Tibet is a part of China. U.S. officials meet and otherwise communicate with the Dalai Lama in the latter's capacity as an internationally revered religious leader. China should hold serious, substantive talks with Tibetan representatives and take advantage of the Dalai Lama's willingness to find a solution that addresses all parties' grievances. Demonstrating proper respect for peaceful Tibetan Buddhist religious practices, the Ambassador stressed, would also contribute to long-term stability in Tibetan regions. The United States urges the Chinese Government to roll back policies that undermine basic tenets of Tibetan Buddhism and are offensive to Tibetan Buddhists, including forced denunciations of the Dalai Lama, compulsory "patriotic" political education, and travel restrictions on monks and nuns. ¶8. (C) AFM Liu replied that the nature of "the Dalai's" activities should be clear from his and others' actions. "The Dalai" and others have been visiting other countries to pursue a "political agenda," which cannot be explained away with references to religion or Tibetan traditions. The facts on the ground are not as portrayed by the "Dalai group." The door to dialogue is always open as long as "the Dalai" is sincere in his deeds and not just in words and does not engage in separatism or incite violent activities. The invitation to Lodi Gyari, and if true, the upcoming communication between President Bush and "the Dalai," would only "embolden" "the Dalai and the Dalai group," while also interfering in PRC efforts to make contacts with "the Dalai and the Dalai Group." Doing so, AFM Liu reiterated, would exacerbate the situation, which China "cannot accept." ¶9. (C) China values very much its RELATIONS with the United States, AFM Liu emphasized. From this vantage point, Beijing urges Washington not to take this, or any other action, that would put our bilateral RELATIONS in "a difficult situation." "The Dalai's" contacts with foreigners are intended to sabotage the stability, economic development and well-being of Tibetans in China's Tibetan regions. These efforts are bound to fail, and the United States should not be a party to such activities. China attaches "great importance" to this matter, which is "very serious." China hopes that the Unites States will not go ahead with either the invitation or the communication with "the Dalai," AFM Liu reiterated. Ambassador Raises Shi Weihan Case -------------- ¶10. (C) The Ambassador expressed U.S. concern about the continued detention, on charges of running an illegal business, of Bible printer Shi Weihan. AFM Liu denied familiarity with the details of the case but expressed confidence that it is being dealt with according to law. There are many legitimate ways to acquire Bibles in China, the printing of which is "subsidized for religious needs," AFM Liu said. If someone is arrested for printing or selling Bibles, Liu averred, it has nothing to do with the materials being sold but rather with the fact that the activity runs counter to Chinese law. AFM Liu promised to look into the matter. AFM Liu Raises Taiwan Arms Sales -------------- ¶11. (C) AFM Liu reiterated China's opposition to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and expressed hope there will be no "bad news" on that front. The Ambassador made clear that the United States' one China policy, based on the three joint communiques and the Taiwan RELATIONS Act, has not changed. RANDT