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