AMBASSADOR'S SEPTEMBER 19 DINNER WITH VICE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 003702

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2032
TAGS: PREL PINR PGOV KOLY SOCI EAID CH TW
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S SEPTEMBER 19 DINNER WITH VICE
PRESIDENT XI, VICE PREMIER HUI

Classified By: DCM Daniel Piccuta.
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

Summary
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1. (C) At a September 19 event for the diplomatic corps to
celebrate the recent China-hosted Olympics and Paralympics,
Vice President Xi Jinping expressed appreciation for
President Bush's positive role in U.S.-China relations and
acknowledged China's need for "change and reform." Also at
the event, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu described his experience
with earthquake relief efforts. End summary.


2. (U) On September 19, Ambassador and Mrs. Randt attended
the Olympics and Paralympics Appreciation Reception and
Dinner hosted by the Foreign Ministry at Diaoyutai State
Guest House in Beijing for all foreign Chiefs of Mission.
Despite the fact that the Ambassador is about 12th on the
Chinese formal protocol list of envoys to Beijing, the
Ambassador was seated to the right of Vice President Xi
Jinping, China's top-ranking host at the dinner and the
senior-most PRC official in charge of preparations for the
Olympic and Paralympic Games. To the Ambassador's right was
Vice Premier Hui Liangyu.

VP Xi on U.S.-China Relations, Olympics, Need for Reform
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3. (C) At the dinner, Vice President Xi noted that in his new
position in the Central Government, he has had to study
foreign affairs and, in particular, about U.S.-China
relations because of their importance to China. He said that
the Chinese Government and the Chinese people were greatly
appreciative of President Bush's declining to politicize the
Olympic Games and his attendance with his family. He praised
the President for his role in the "steady growth" of
U.S.-China relations, stating that the President understood
China and the challenges it faces. This was clear to him and
greatly appreciated.


4. (C) VP Xi reflected that "we are not satisfied with the
way things are in China and we know that we need constant
change and reform." Realistically, however, change and
reform are difficult to effect in such a large society and
country.


5. (C) Returning to U.S.-China relations, VP Xi emphasized
the importance of monitoring the flow of two-way "high-level
visits" between the United States and China. He noted that
the Chinese leadership is currently considering proposed
plans for visits after the new Administration takes office.
(Note: VP Xi did not mention Taiwan.)


6. (C) VP Xi was very pleased with the Olympics and
Paralympics. He said that the Olympics provided an
opportunity for "the outside world to learn about China and
for China to learn about the outside world."

Biographic Note: Vice Premier Hui Liangyu
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7. (C) Vice Premier Hui Liangyu proved an animated dinner
partner in conversation with Mrs. Randt. Discussing a school
for migrant workers' children in Beijing in which Mrs. Randt
is active, Hui surprisingly was not only familiar with the
school but knew the founder and headmistress. Hui noted he
had worked in Sichuan and is active in the earthquake relief
effort there. Recently, his daughter personally escorted six
orphans from Sichuan to the school for migrant workers'
children in Beijing. These six orphans have relatives in
Beijing. Hui added that he had previous experience with
earthquake relief having been directly involved in the
recovery effort after the 1998 earthquake in Lijiang in
Yunnan Province.
RANDT