AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH PRC AMBASSADOR HAN ZHIQIANG

UNCLAS SUVA 000197 SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO ACTING A/S DAVIES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PREM FJ SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH PRC AMBASSADOR HAN ZHIQIANG ON FIJI AND PACIFIC COOPERATION REF: A. SUVA 82 ¶B. 08 SUVA 274 ¶1. (SBU) On May 12, PRC Ambassador Han Zhiqiang, accompanied by counselor Fei Mingxing and a note-taker, paid a friendly courtesy call on Embassy Suva. This was the first time the PRC ambassador had visited the U.S. embassy, though we have had previous meetings at his embassy and residence. Han invoked President Hu Jintao and President Obama,s conversations as a catalyst for the meeting. Han emphasized that China wants to be a partner with the U.S. on global issues, the international economy, and particularly in the Pacific. ¶2. (SBU) With respect to Fiji, Ambassador Han said that China continues to maintain its policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of countries and would not impose sanctions. At the same time, he observed that our objectives in Fiji are complementary. The PRC assesses that Fiji is essential to regional economic stability and does not want to see Tuvalu, Kiribati and Nauru suffer as a result of Fiji,s instability. Han emphasized that PRC Vice President Xi Jinping had called on Bainimarama to hold elections soon during his February 2009 stopover in Nadi. ¶3. (SBU) Ambassador Han said that the PRC would continue with its development assistance programs for Fiji, drawing from its 375 million USD loan program, and focused primarily on low cost housing and repairing roads and bridges. He emphasized that China is not currently giving any direct military assistance to Fiji. (Note: Fijian soldiers are attending service schools in the PRC. End note.) ¶4. (SBU) Han was pleased to report that as a result of better relations between Beijing and Taipei there would be no more checkbook diplomacy in the Pacific. The PRC will not ask Nauru or Kiribati to switch recognition, he said, but would also look for ways to provide development assistance to those countries and fulfill its responsibilities to protect overseas Chinese in the region. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: I welcomed future cooperation with Ambassador Han on Pacific issues and also noted that both of us were simultaneously building regional hub embassies in Suva. I agreed that we would meet regularly to discuss the situation in Fiji and better coordinate our messages to the regime. Han clearly was under instructions to underline our better relations in light of Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei,s scheduled visit to Washington next week. MCGANN