PRC TAIWAN AFFAIRS OFFICE DIRECTOR DISCUSSES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 004666 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/24/2033 TAGS: PREL PARM MOPS CH TW SUBJECT: PRC TAIWAN AFFAIRS OFFICE DIRECTOR DISCUSSES CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS, TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL SPACE WITH AMBASSADOR Classified By: Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) State Council Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) Director Wang Yi praised the Bush Administration's "management" of U.S.-China relations, saying that China in particular "greatly appreciates" U.S. efforts to "restrain Taiwan independence" at a December 23 lunch with the Ambassador. Wang expressed hope that the new U.S. administration will pursue similar policies on Taiwan. China was "upset" by U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, but Beijing's reaction was "restrained," Wang assessed. Taiwan's international space, particularly participation in the World HEALTH Assembly (WHA),should be worked out on the basis of the "one-China principle" and through direct consultations between the Mainland and Taiwan. China will try to show "goodwill and sincerity" on the issue, Wang said, noting that even under the principle of ONE China, there is still "a great deal of room to maneuver." Wang urged Washington not to resort to public pressure on the international space issue, which would be "counterproductive," making it harder for Beijing to make concessions. Beijing, however, is happy to hear privately U.S. "suggestions." Commenting briefly on his new position at TAO, Wang remarked that as cross-Strait relations get closer, the issues become "increasingly difficult." End Summary. ADMINISTRATION "MANAGED" THE TAIWAN ISSUE WELL -------------- - ¶2. (C) State Council Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) Director Wang Yi praised the Bush Administration's handling of the Taiwan issue at a lunch he hosted for the Ambassador December 23 at Diaoyutai State Guest House. Commenting on the Bush Administration's skillful stewardship of the U.S.-China relationship, Minister Wang reflected on how tense relations were in 2001, particularly at the time of the EP-3 incident. He contrasted that period with the recently concluded Senior Dialogue in Washington, at which there were "no surprises" and the two sides demonstrated that "we understand each other." Wang commented favorably on the Bush Administration's handling of the Taiwan issue, "especially in the second term," asserting that Washington's efforts to "restrain Taiwan independence" were "very much appreciated" and served U.S. interests by preserving peace and stability in the Strait. "This was managed very well by the U.S. side," Wang asserted, "which is why U.S.-China relations are going so well." Wang expressed hope that the new U.S. administration will pursue similar policies on Taiwan. CONCERN OVER TAIWAN PRESENCE AT INAUGURATION -------------- ¶3. (C) Wang said he plans to visit Washington early next year, mentioning that his staff has been urging him to visit the United States as soon as possible. Over the past year, many Taiwan people have visited the United States to share their views, but not enough from the Mainland have done so, Wang stated. Noting that Taiwan Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng is leading a "very large delegation" to the U.S. presidential inauguration, Wang said MFA is "very concerned" about the visit. "We do not want any surprises that could influence bilateral relations or hurt cross-Strait ties," Wang declared. CHINA "UPSET" BY ARMS SALES -------------- ¶4. (C) Despite the positive state of the U.S.-China bilateral relationship overall, Wang said China was "upset" by the U.S. decision announced on October 3 to sell arms to Taiwan. Ambassador Randt responded that U.S arms sales promote stability in the Strait and that China has not stopped deploying missiles opposite Taiwan. The U.S. Government is obligated by the Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan the means to defend itself. China should reduce its missile deployments. Wang replied that U.S. arms sales make it "more difficult" for China to reduce its military deployments. PLA missile deployments were increased during the administration of (former Taiwan President) Chen Shui-bian to address the threat of Taiwan independence, Wang argued. Even after the BEIJING 00004666 002 OF 003 independence threat was reduced and cross-Strait relations improved, the United States still made a decision to sell weapons. Wang viewed the most recent U.S. arms sale decision as showing "some restraint" on the amount of weapons sold and on the timing of the announcement and called the Ambassador's attention to China's "restrained" response to the arms sales. It is important for the U.S. and Chinese militaries to strengthen confidence-building measures, Wang said. CHINA TRYING TO HELP TAIWAN'S ECONOMY -------------- ¶5. (C) Cross-Strait relations have improved dramatically since (Taiwan President) Ma Ying-jeou took office, but Ma's approval ratings have plummeted because of Taiwan's poor economic performance, Wang remarked. There is "no problem" in giving Ma "face" on improvements in cross-Strait relations, but until Taiwan's economy improves, Ma will remain unpopular. China therefore has doled out a great deal of "goodwill" to help Taiwan's economy, especially during the December 20-21 CCP-KMT party-to-party forum held in Shanghai. In response to a question on whether political issues were discussed at the Shanghai forum, Wang said the focus was on economic issues, including financial cooperation, bilateral investment and assistance to Taiwan firms. Wang said the PRC does not have good figures on the numbers of Taiwan people resident on the Mainland, but that it is between 400,000 and one million. INTERNATIONAL SPACE FOR TAIWAN -------------- ¶6. (C) TAO is "thinking a great deal" about the issue of Taiwan's international space, Wang said. Previously, the question of Taiwan's participation in a UN-affiliated organization was simple: Taiwan did not qualify. Now, however, the cross-Strait relationship is "greatly improved," so the "next step" is to deal with the issue of Taiwan's international space. Both sides now accept and recognize the "'92 consensus," which means that both sides essentially accept there is only "one China." To solve the international space problem, the two sides must stick to the one-China framework, Wang asserted, because the improvement in cross-Strait relations thus far has been on the basis of the one-China principle. Furthermore, the international community accepts the "one-China consensus," and UN-affiliated organizations also "legally accept ONE China." Therefore, Wang argued, on the international stage, "the rules are set and cannot be changed." Without the "one-China principle," there would be "chaos." "We are willing to work to resolve this issue on the basis of ONE China," he said, pledging that China will "try our best to show goodwill and sincerity." ¶7. (C) Even under the "one-China principle," there is still "a great deal of room to maneuver" on the subject of international space, Wang said. For example, the United States does not recognize Taiwan as a "sovereign state." On this basis, a way can be found for Taiwan to participate. Taiwan's participation in the World HEALTH Assembly/World Health Organization (WHA/WHO) can also be dealt with "in this spirit," Wang stated. China believes that both sides of the Strait need to "engage in consultations" to find a solution. Taiwan's attendance at the WHA must rely on "cross-Strait consultation" to find the "most suitable arrangement," Wang said. CHINA INTERESTED IN U.S. IDEAS, NOT PRESSURE -------------- ¶8. (C) China is aware that the United States is hopeful a solution on Taiwan's WHA/WHO participation can be found soon, Wang noted. He urged Washington to "pay attention to tactics." Too many public statements on this issue will "cause problems" because the Chinese people will feel they are being "pressured" by the United States. Such an approach would be "counterproductive," as the Chinese Government needs the "support of the Chinese people" or it cannot move forward. Wang said Beijing has tried to explain this to Taipei as well, and that Taiwan "understands" the Mainland's position. Wang urged the United States to believe that the Chinese people have the "wisdom and ability" to resolve the international space issue. Washington should recognize the "basic difficulty" of the WHA issue. It is different than BEIJING 00004666 003 OF 003 the WTO, APEC or the Olympics because it is a UN-affiliated agency that is made up of sovereign states. This would be the first example of Taiwan's participation in such an organization, Wang asserted, so China must proceed "carefully." Nonetheless, China is happy to hear U.S. suggestions through "private channels." LIFE AT TAO -------------- ¶9. (C) In response to the Ambassador's congratulations on his new position at TAO, Wang half-jokingly pleaded for "U.S. understanding and support." He remarked that it has been a "challenge" to get used to "new terminology." Wang can no longer say "bilateral relations" (liangbian guanxi),but must instead say cross-Strait relations (liang'an guanxi). Wang also has to be careful to avoid the term "country-to-country relations," (guo yu guo guanxi),which he constantly used at MFA. Wang admitted that heading the TAO is "a tough job." In ONE aspect, it is "very different" than the MFA, he stated. At MFA, if you are responsible for relations with a particular country, if you do a good job and improve relations, then problems get easier. Dealing with Taiwan is the opposite, he asserted. When relations improve, the issues get "more and more sensitive." China often says that its approach to Taiwan is "first easy, then hard," and that is "really true." As cross-Strait relations get closer, the issues that the two sides must confront are "increasingly difficult," Wang stated. Randt