NO SURPRISES DURING HU JINTAO,S JAPAN VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 001267

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2018
TAGS: ENRG PREL PGOV PHUM CH JA
SUBJECT: NO SURPRISES DURING HU JINTAO,S JAPAN VISIT

REF: A. TOKYO 01219


B. TOKYO 01263

Classified By: Charge D' Affaires Joseph R. Donovan for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (C) Summary: There have been no surprises during the first
three days of Chinese President Hu Jintao's May 6-10 visit to
Japan. Hu's visit is being characterized in the press as
successful, is viewed as in important step forward, and
signals a new chapter in Japan-China ties. As reported
septel, Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka told visiting
Deputy Secretary that Japan is pleased with the visit so far.
President Hu met with Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Foreign
Minister Masahiko Koumura, and Deputy Foreign Minister
Kenichiro Sasae to discuss ways to strengthen their bilateral
"mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic
issues." Increasing economic and environmental
cooperation-including possible joint gas field development in
the East China Sea-was at the top of the agenda. Yabunaka
told the Deputy Secretary that despite press reports
heralding a "breakthrough" on this, much work remains to be
done. While Japan and China signed a number of joint
statements and memorandum aimed at boosting cooperation, one
disappointment is the lack of a major deliverable on
substantial progress on joint gas field development in the
East China Sea. They also discussed human rights, Tibet, and
Japan's bid for a permanent UNSC seat. Fukuda and Hu signed
a joint statement outlining ways to boost ties and confirmed
their commitment to their previous three joint communiqus
signed in 1972, 1978, and 1998. End Summary.

Fukuda and Hu Sign Joint Statement on Bilateral Relations
-------------- --------------

2. (SBU) Fukuda and Hu released a joint statement on
bilateral ties on May 7. The statement outlining ways to
promote a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common
strategic interests." It states that the three previously
signed joint communiqus in 1972, 1978, and 1998 are the
political foundation for advancing the Japan-China
relationship. The statement is future-oriented and downplays
contentious historical issues. It also confirms bilateral
efforts to promote high-level visits and cultural exchanges
and boost cooperation on food safety, energy, and the
environment.


3. (SBU) Turning to Taiwan, Japan reaffirmed its adherence to
the position enunciated in the 1972 joint communiqu.
Although the Chinese did not explicitly support Japan's bid
for a permanent UNSC seat, Hu told Fukuda "I understand that
Japan hopes to make greater contributions to the peace and
development of the world" and added "I hope Japanese people
will sense China's positive stance from what I just said."

Boosting Economic Ties and Environmental Cooperation
-------------- --------------

4. (SBU) Japan and China agreed to boost economic and
environmental cooperation and concluded multiple agreements
outlining a range of joint projects. They agreed to promote
mutually beneficial cooperation on trade, investment,
information and communication technology, finance, food and
product safety, intellectual property rights protection,
agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries, tourism,
water purification, and health-care. They also agreed to
"strategically and effectively use the Japan-China High-Level
Economic Dialogue" to promote common goals.


5. (SBU) Japan and China agreed to implement projects aimed
at disposing of waste water in rural areas in China. The
pilot projects will begin during the current Japanese fiscal
year in Chongqing Municipality and Jiangsu Province and are
aimed at reducing polluted wastewater from flowing into the
Yangtze River. Japan will set up drainage disposal
facilities, including water purification tanks, and will hold
seminars on wastewater disposal techniques.


6. (SBU) Turning to climate change, Japan and China agreed to
actively participate in building an effective post-2012
international framework on climate change based on the Bali
Action Plan and the principle of "common but differentiated
responsibilities and respective capabilities" under the UN
Framework Convention on Climate Change. Japan and China also
released a widely-promoted statement on climate change in
which China, for the first time, positively noted two key
Japanese proposQ for a post-2012 climate treaty. In
agreeing to participate actively in negotiating an agreement
to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, China took note of Japan's
proposal to cut worldwide greenhouse gas emissions in half by
2050, and recognized the sectoral approach to emissions that

TOKYO 00001267 002 OF 002


Japan has pushed as "an important method" to consider. The
statement also said China would work "hand-in-hand" with
Japan to forge an agreement based on the Bali Action Plan by
the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change meeting at the
end of 2009.


Inching Toward Progress on East China Sea?
--------------

7. (C) Fukuda and Hu made positive remarks to the press
indicating progress toward an agreement on the joint
development of gas fields in the East China Sea but failed to
announce substantive progress. Fukuda told the press "We
confirmed the prospect for the solution of this long standing
issue. We agree that we will work out the details and arrive
at an agreement as early as possible. Chief Cabinet
Secretary Machimura hinted that obstacles still remain when
he told the press "The details still can't be made public.
That is to say, we have yet to reach a complete agreement."
An unnamed senior MOFA official told reports "Ultimately, the
content of such an agreement will need to be made into a
treaty. That will take at least a year." VFM Yabunaka
confirmed to Deputy Secretary that the press was overstating
the perceived success on this and that much work remains to
be done.

Human Rights Cast Cloud on Visit
--------------

8. (SBU) Fukuda and Hu agreed to resume human rights talks,
including discussions on Tibet, to promote equality and
mutual respect during talks on May 7. Japan and China began
discussing human rights in 1997 but the talks had been
suspended since January 2000. Former Prime Minster Abe,
during a May 8 breakfast, urged Hu to increase efforts to
resolve the Tibet issue peacefully and noted appreciation for
China's efforts to continue dialogue with the Dalai Lama.


9. (C) Small protests over Tibet and the human rights
situation in China marred the warm atmosphere. Approximately
100 people demonstrated at Hibiya ParkQr the restaurant
where Hu and Fukuda died on May 7. A pro-Tibet group called
"Save the Tibet Network" held a 1,300 person march from
Shinjuku to Yoyogi Park, according to the press. Roughly 100
protesters also demonstrated at Waseda University hours
before President Hu gave his speech there on May 8.
DONOVAN