PRC RESPONSE ON U.S. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL CANDIDACY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 000939 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/CM, IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2019 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNHRC UN CH SUBJECT: PRC RESPONSE ON U.S. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL CANDIDACY REF: STATE 31175 Classified By: Acting Political Minister-Couselor Ben Moeling, reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) MFA International Organizations and Conferences Human Rights Division Deputy Director Yao Shaojun delivered a formal response April 7 to our earlier demarche notifying China that the United States will seek election to the UN Human Rights Council (reftel). Yao said that since China and the United States are both permanent members of the UN Security Council, and there is a "gentlemen's agreement" under which P5 members support each other's candidacies in "all UN elections," China proposes that the United States and China support each other as both countries seek seats on the UN Human Rights Council. Yao confirmed that China will seek reelection for the 2009-2012 term. WEINSTEIN