CHINA INFORMED OF 2008 CANBERRA MTCR PLENARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 000265

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/CM AND ISN/MTR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2019
TAGS: PARM MTCRE PREL MNUC KSCA TSPA CH
SUBJECT: CHINA INFORMED OF 2008 CANBERRA MTCR PLENARY
RESULTS

REF: STATE 4690

Classified By: PolMinCouns Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).


1. (C) PolOff delivered reftel non-paper describing the
results of the November 2008 Canberra Missile Technology
Control Regime (MTCR) Plenary to MFA Arms Control and
Disarmament Department Missile Division Third Secretary Liu
Wei on February 4, stressing the important contribution China
could make to missile nonproliferation through rigorous
implementation and enforcement of export controls on missile
items.


2. (C) Liu responded that China had "taken a responsible
attitude" and "contributed to missile nonproliferation."
China "values the function of the MTCR" and was grateful that
"the majority of MTCR members" at the November Plenary "took
positive attitudes toward China's efforts," Liu said. Liu
concluded that "a closer relationship between the U.S. and
China" could have a "positive effect on international
nonproliferation efforts."


3. (SBU) Note: This was the first time since the October 3
notification to Congress of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan that an
official from the MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Department
agreed to meet directly with an Embassy official.)
PICCUTA