PRC-UZBEKISTAN: BEIJING FOCUSED ON CENTRAL ASIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 004480

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2028
TAGS: PREL PGOV ENRG EAID PTER UZ CH
SUBJECT: PRC-UZBEKISTAN: BEIJING FOCUSED ON CENTRAL ASIA
SECURITY COOPERATION, SAYS UZBEK DIPLOMAT

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson.
Reasons 1.4 (b/d).


1. (C) Summary: An Uzbek diplomat based in China reported
that one PRC goal in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO) is for SCO members to cooperate on immediate dangers
like transnational terrorist groups, such as Hizb-ut-Tahrir
(HT),which China believes are a direct threat to security in
China's western Xinjiang region. Our Uzbek contact told us
Beijing is aware of China's image problems in the region, but
its efforts to project soft power and win friends through
economic development projects have met with mixed success.
According to the Uzbek diplomat, China avoids providing real,
long-term economic development assistance to Central Asian
countries, because too much economic success in those newly
independent states could provide inspiration to separatist
groups in Xinjiang. End Summary.

China's SCO Focus is on Common Security Threats
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2. (C) Embassy of Uzbekistan Political Officer Batir Tursunov
told POLOFF November 26 that in recent years the Chinese have
sought to emphasize increasing cooperation among Shanghai
Cooperation Organization member states on common security
concerns. He claimed that China has moved away from any idea
that the SCO should evolve into a NATO-like military bloc.
Tursunov explained that, several years ago, Chinese EmbOffs
in Tashkent told him the SCO should evolve toward a NATO
model. He said that China may fear an increase in tension
between "other SCO members" and the West that would result
from the emergence of a more formal military alliance.
Tursunov stressed that Tashkent agrees with the current
Chinese approach and opposes the development of a military
bloc in the region.

Transnational Terrorism China's Priority
--------------


3. (C) Tursunov argued that China has come to see
transnational terrorist groups such as Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HT)
and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) as immediate
threats to China's national security that can be addressed in
the framework of the SCO. HT and other groups are active in
Xinjiang but have a base in Central Asia, moving freely
through porous borders in the region, he claimed. To
underscore the pervasive nature of the threat, Tursunov
recalled his own experience, before he began his diplomatic
career, when an HT operative attempted to recruit him in
Tashkent. He stressed that terrorist groups' ability to
recruit openly is more evident in Kyrgyzstan. Tursunov said
that only through China's support in the SCO was Uzbekistan
able to overcome Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan's opposition to a
ban on HT in SCO member states. China backed the measure
because of its concern for the potential influence of HT in
Xinjiang, according to Tursunov.

China's Image Problems Persist, Despite Assistance
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4. (C) Tursunov said that Chinese officials have expressed
concern about China's negative image in Central Asia, despite
China's efforts to portray itself as a benefactor. He said
that while governments may depend on Chinese support as an
important counterweight to Russian influence, ordinary
citizens view with suspicion the increasingly visible
presence of Chinese people and products in their
neighborhoods. He claimed that Russia is actively trying to
foster this negative image of China in the region. Tursunov
added that while the Chinese bring investment, it is mostly
in infrastructure support for Chinese energy projects, and
many people in Central Asia are frustrated at what they see
as self-serving economic assistance.

But Assistance is Appreciated
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5. (C) China sees the SCO as an important tool in countering
its negative image, not only through education and training
programs, but also by demonstrating to ordinary citizens in
Central Asian countries that China is a leader in the region
and a source of investment and economic development
resources, according to Tursunov. He stressed that because
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan do not share a border with China,
people of those nations are less concerned about the rise of
Chinese influence in the region. Local traders have found
good business opportunities in importing Chinese goods,
further countering the negative image, he said. Tursunov
added that even as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
worry about increasing Chinese involvement in their

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economies, their governments have come to rely on China for
capital and technology to pursue economic development. He
noted that leaders in Uzbekistan hope for additional
investment and economic assistance as China continues to
develop.

China Hopes for Middling Growth in Central Asia
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6. (C) Tursunov reported the sense among elites in Uzbekistan
that while China does not want to see poverty and economic
mismanagement lead to a safe haven for terrorism in Central
Asia, China also does not want to see the region develop too
quickly. He asserted that Beijing believes the East
Turkistan Independence Movement (ETIM) draws inspiration from
the independence narratives of culturally similar Central
Asian states that emerged after the collapse of the Soviet
Union. "Success stories" emanating from Central Asia could
further embolden separatist elements in China, he argued.
Beijing appears to want to provide just enough assistance to
ensure the development of China's only real economic interest
in the region (energy) without laying a foundation for
long-term economic and social development, Tursunov claimed.
Piccuta