CHINA ON CONTRIBUTIONS TO AFGHANISTAN

S E C R E T BEIJING 000940

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/A TOM REOTT AND EUR/PRM AARON COPE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2029
TAGS: PREL AF NATO PK MARR MOPS CH
SUBJECT: CHINA ON CONTRIBUTIONS TO AFGHANISTAN

REF: STATE 31102

Classified By: Classified by Acting Minister-Counselor for
Political Affairs Ben Moeling. Reasons 1.4 B and D.


1. (S) SUMMARY: A Chinese MFA official said China is "still
considering" the U.S. request for nonlethal supply transit
through China to Afghanistan and recognizes the importance of
counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan. The Chinese have
reviewed and are discussing the U.S. Pakistan/Afghanistan
strategy but are not ready to respond. They take note of the
U.S. recommendations for priority areas for international
assistance in Afghanistan. The Chinese are aware of
Ambassador Holbrooke's upcoming trip to Beijing. They "took
note of" the Embassy's suggestion that the Chinese provide a
substantive response to our request when their leaders meet
with Ambassador Holbrooke April 15, but did not commit. End
Summary.


2. (S) Acting PolMinCouns met MFA Asian Affairs Department
DDG Sun Weidong April 8 to deliver reftel demarche requesting
specific PRC assistance in Afghanistan. A/PolMinCouns noted
the importance to the United States of diversifying its
supply routes into Afghanistan, especially considering the
announced increase in U.S. civilian and military personnel
contributions to the Afghanistan effort. He encouraged China
to accelerate its decision on providing political approval,
or if needed, a commercial transit agreement, for USG cargo
shipments of nonlethal equipment through China to
Afghanistan. Ideally, Chinese approval would come during or
before Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan
Richard Holbrooke's upcoming visit to Beijing. Sun was aware
of the outstanding U.S. request, and said "the decision is
still under consideration." When asked if there were further
details that would help the Chinese government reach a
decision, Sun said "we must continue to consider it and will
contact you if we have additional questions." He would not
commit to being able to provide an answer before April 15.


3. (S) A/PolMinCouns pressed Sun on increasing Chinese
contributions to Afghanistan's infrastructure, to which Sun
responded that Chinese companies are already investing in
Afghanistan and expect to continue to do so. Asked about
counter-narcotics cooperation, Sun noted that this issue had
come up at the Moscow meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization. China recognized the importance of
counter-narcotics efforts, but could offer no specific
commitment on Chinese cooperation.


4. (S) Sun underscored China's commitment to stability and
security in Afghanistan, citing PRC participation at recent
Afghanistan-related conferences, including the SCO conference
in Moscow and the international conference in The Hague. DDG
Sun added that China would provide 75 million USD in
assistance to Afghanistan over the next five years. Sun
stated that China welcomes cooperation from the international
community on national reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan
and stressed that the UN should take a leading role. He also
emphasized the PRC's policy of non-interference in internal
affairs and support of Afghanistan's sovereignty.
WEINSTEIN