Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIJING1348
2009-05-19 09:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
CHINA PROTESTS PACOM ADMIRAL KEATING'S REMARKS IN
how-toVZCZCXRO7694 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #1348 1390909 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 190909Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4069 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 4851 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 001348
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP AND EAP/CM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2034
TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV CH IN
SUBJECT: CHINA PROTESTS PACOM ADMIRAL KEATING'S REMARKS IN
INDIA
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., William Weinstein.
Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 001348
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP AND EAP/CM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2034
TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV CH IN
SUBJECT: CHINA PROTESTS PACOM ADMIRAL KEATING'S REMARKS IN
INDIA
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., William Weinstein.
Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) In a May 18 meeting, MFA North American and Oceanian
Affairs Department Director General Zheng Zeguang delivered a
formal demarche to the Charge protesting remarks appearing in
a Times of India article by Pacific Command (USPACOM)
Commander Admiral Keating. Admiral Keating is quoted in the
article as saying, "emboldened by its growing maritime might,
China even suggested to the U.S. that it could 'look after'
the eastern Pacific while Washington concentrated on the
western Pacific. But I shot down the proposal."
2. (C) DG Zheng said this article was "absolutely
inconsistent with the facts" and warned that "these types of
remarks could have bad repercussions." Stating that PRC
policy had been to "always follow the path of peaceful
development" and that its defense policy was "defensive in
nature," Zheng said it would be "impossible" for any Chinese
official to make the sort of suggestion described by Admiral
Keating. For a USG official to suggest otherwise is
"irresponsible."
3. (C) Noting the positive direction of the U.S.-China
relationship and recent successes in mil-mil relations, Zheng
urged the U.S. to "take the demarche seriously" and "take
immediate steps" to reduce the impact of the remarks lest
further damage result. The Charge noted that China's protest
referenced an Indian press story for which we could not
vouch, but said he would relay China's concerns.
4. (C) Comment: DG Zheng, reading from a text, delivered the
demarche in an almost perfunctory manner.
WEINSTEIN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP AND EAP/CM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2034
TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV CH IN
SUBJECT: CHINA PROTESTS PACOM ADMIRAL KEATING'S REMARKS IN
INDIA
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., William Weinstein.
Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) In a May 18 meeting, MFA North American and Oceanian
Affairs Department Director General Zheng Zeguang delivered a
formal demarche to the Charge protesting remarks appearing in
a Times of India article by Pacific Command (USPACOM)
Commander Admiral Keating. Admiral Keating is quoted in the
article as saying, "emboldened by its growing maritime might,
China even suggested to the U.S. that it could 'look after'
the eastern Pacific while Washington concentrated on the
western Pacific. But I shot down the proposal."
2. (C) DG Zheng said this article was "absolutely
inconsistent with the facts" and warned that "these types of
remarks could have bad repercussions." Stating that PRC
policy had been to "always follow the path of peaceful
development" and that its defense policy was "defensive in
nature," Zheng said it would be "impossible" for any Chinese
official to make the sort of suggestion described by Admiral
Keating. For a USG official to suggest otherwise is
"irresponsible."
3. (C) Noting the positive direction of the U.S.-China
relationship and recent successes in mil-mil relations, Zheng
urged the U.S. to "take the demarche seriously" and "take
immediate steps" to reduce the impact of the remarks lest
further damage result. The Charge noted that China's protest
referenced an Indian press story for which we could not
vouch, but said he would relay China's concerns.
4. (C) Comment: DG Zheng, reading from a text, delivered the
demarche in an almost perfunctory manner.
WEINSTEIN