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