CHINESE ASEAN AMBASSADOR COMMENTS ON CLINTON VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 000528 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV TH CH SUBJECT: CHINESE ASEAN AMBASSADOR COMMENTS ON CLINTON VISIT TO JAKARTA, CHINA-ASEAN RELATIONS Classified By: DCM James F. Entwistle, reason: 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. Deputy Assistant Secretary and U.S. Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs Scot Marciel met with Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Xue Hanqin, discussing a wide range of ASEAN issues February 28. Xue expressed China's positive impression of Secretary of State Clinton,s visit to Jakarta. She also raised the issue of Chinese interest in further expanding economic ties with ASEAN, China's relationship with Burma, and China,s views on Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ). END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Ambassador Marciel met with Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Xue Janqin February 28 on the margins of the ASEAN Summit in Cha-am/Hua Hin and discussed a full range of ASEAN issues. Xue said that China was very impressed with Clinton,s visit to Jakarta and the ASEAN Secretariat. Xue stated that she had heard much positive feedback in the region about Secretary Clinton,s visit and the Obama administration,s decision to review possible accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC). ¶3. (C) In discussing China's regional economic interests, Xue stated that China was interested in going beyond a Free Trade Area (FTA) with ASEAN to expand investment relations. Xue stated that China,s assistance programs were focused on closing the economic gap with ASEAN. Xue stated that China was concerned about where the leadership would come from within ASEAN to implement the new Charter and push for economic integration. ¶4. (C) Xue explained that Burma was an easy issue for China because Burma had been a good neighbor. She explained that China had built political trust with the Burmese government; however, she stated that China was encouraging internal dialogue in order that change (unspecified) might take place in Burma. ¶5. (C) In talking about ASEAN in general terms, Xue commented that it was important to promote peace, security and stability in the region and to show respect for ASEAN,s centrality in East Asia,s architecture. She stated that the ASEAN countries were nervous when ASEAN,s "Plus Three" countries met without ASEAN. ¶6. (C) Xue reported that ASEAN had approached the Chinese again recently on the question of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ). She and Ambassador Marciel agreed the Perm 5 should consult on this further. ¶7. (U) Ambassador Marciel has cleared this cable. JOHN