READOUT OF A/S CAMPBELL'S MEETING WITH MOFA DG

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001685 C O R R E C T E D COPY - ADDED TAG SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/J E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2019 TAGS: PGOV CH JA SUBJECT: READOUT OF A/S CAMPBELL'S MEETING WITH MOFA DG SAIKI Classified By: CDA James P. Zumwalt for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: EAP Assistant Secretary Campbell discussed challenges in dealing with China during his July 17 meeting with Foreign Ministry Asian and Oceanian Affairs Director General Akitaka Saiki. A/S Campbell and DG Saiki noted progress in their countries' respective relations with China, but expressed common frustrations about engaging Chinese leadership on key issues pertaining to general foreign policy and human rights. END SUMMARY ¶2. (C) A/S Campbell met Asian and Oceanian Affairs Director General Akitaka Saiki on July 17 to discuss policy approaches and shared concerns about China. A/S Campbell noted that prioritizing key issues -- including North Korea, Afghanistan-Pakistan, Iran, the Sudan, and energy security -- and managing expectations for U.S.-China relations constitute two of the biggest challenges for both the United States and China. He also underscored the importance of engaging in honest discussions with the Chinese about the U.S. role in the economic crisis, its commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, and the extent to which Southeast Asia factors into U.S. policy objectives. Working with the Chinese is proving difficult, particularly as both sides try to jump start the first round of Strategic and Economic Dialogue discussions, scheduled for July 27, Campbell said. Human rights issues, particularly Tibet and recent violence in Xinjiang, are additional challenges, he noted. ¶3. (C) DG Saiki described progress in Sino-Japanese ties, but expressed similar frustration in dealing with Beijing. Relations have improved since the tenure of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, whose annual visits to controversial Yasukuni Shrine drew regular criticism from regional neighbors. It is in Chinese President Hu Jintao's best interest to maintain strong ties to both Japan and the United States, Saiki stressed. Japan's efforts to establish a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests" with China remains a top objective and is not a "zero sum" factor in Japan's relations with the United States. ¶4. (C) Problems exist particularly on matters pertaining to longstanding territorial disputes and competing claims over resources in the East China Sea (ECS). Saiki stressed that Beijing often raises the disputed Senkaku Islands and ECS issues during high-level meetings. Tokyo has actively broached the same topics in recent summits because of what the Japanese see as increased Chinese activity, including China's reported efforts earlier this month to transport equipment and materials to the disputed area in contravention of the joint development agreement signed in May 2008. Some conservative Diet members are taking a hard line on the matter by encouraging Japan to begin unilateral resource exploration, Saiki observed. ¶5. (C) Saiki also expressed exasperation over the persistent presence of food safety issues in high-level discussions with the Chinese. Japan has to raise the same problems every time, Saiki sighed. Contaminated food products and the ongoing investigation into tainted dumplings continue unresolved, he lamented. ¶6. (C) Touching briefly on leadership issues, Saiki stressed the importance of looking to the future and identifying the next generation of Chinese leaders and successors to President Hu. Turning to Japan's own political situation, he reassured the U.S. side of policy continuity even under a Democratic Party of Japan administration. ZUMWALT