Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10STATE8941
2010-01-28 20:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

ACTION REQUEST: ASSESSING ECONOMIC RELATIONS

Tags:  CH ECIN EFIN ETRD PGOV PREL XC ASEAN 
pdf how-to read a cable
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FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHBD/AMEMBASSY BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN PRIORITY 0000
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK PRIORITY 0000
RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI PRIORITY 0000
RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA PRIORITY 0000
RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR PRIORITY 0000
RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA PRIORITY 0000
RUEHPF/AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH PRIORITY 0000
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON PRIORITY 0000
RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE PRIORITY 0000
RUEHVN/AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE PRIORITY 0000
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 0000
RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI PRIORITY 0000
C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 008941 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2020
TAGS: CH ECIN EFIN ETRD PGOV PREL XC ASEAN
SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: ASSESSING ECONOMIC RELATIONS
BETWEEN ASEAN COUNTRIES AND CHINA

Classified By: Asst. Secretary Kurt M. Campbell for
reasons 1.4 (b),(d) and (e)

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 008941

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2020
TAGS: CH ECIN EFIN ETRD PGOV PREL XC ASEAN
SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: ASSESSING ECONOMIC RELATIONS
BETWEEN ASEAN COUNTRIES AND CHINA

Classified By: Asst. Secretary Kurt M. Campbell for
reasons 1.4 (b),(d) and (e)


1. (U) This is an ACTION REQUEST. Please see paras
4, 5, 6 and 7.


2. (C) SUMMARY: The Department is interested in gaining
a better understanding of growing economic relations
between China and the rest of East Asia, including the
proliferation of regional free trade agreements, and
their potential impact on U.S. influence and economic
competitiveness in the region. In particular, the
Department would like to gain a deeper understanding of
economic relations between the ASEAN countries and China,
in light of the recent entry into force of the ASEAN-China
Free Trade Agreement and indications of uneasiness among
some in Southeast Asia regarding their countries, economic
relations with China.

To help inform and guide U.S. strategic policy planning
toward the region, posts are requested to assist with an
assessment of your host country,s views on their economic
relationship with China, China,s growing economic presence
in the region, and China,s use of various tools to increase
its influence throughout Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific
region. We would appreciate a broad assessment, including
the views of host governments as well as other key actors
and opinion makers, and the general public.

Department notes and wishes to thank posts for the valuable
reporting they have already provided on relations between
their host countries and China, including in the economic
arena.

--------------
ACTION REQUEST AND KEY OBJECTIVES
--------------

3. (C) Department notes growing formal trade and economic
relations between the countries of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China. Of particular
note is the broad entry into force on January 1, 2010 of
the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement, as well as ongoing
efforts to increase financial cooperation via the Chiang Mai
Initiative. At the same time, Department notes reports of
uneasiness among some in Southeast Asia regarding their
countries, economic relations and potential negative impacts
of such ties with China, as illustrated by Indonesia,s
recent request to renegotiate the ASEAN-China FTA, as well
as with the Chinese economic presence in their countries.


4. (C) Department seeks posts assistance in conducting an
assessment of individual ASEAN member countries, views on
their evolving economic relationship with China and China,s
growing economic presence in Southeast Asia.


5. (C) Post responses could usefully encompass the following
issues. The Department requests that posts provide not only
assessments and opinions of host governments, but also other
key actors and opinion makers, and the general public.

- ASEAN-CHINA FTA

- IMPACT OF CHINA,S CURRENCY POLICY

- CHINESE ECONOMIC PRESENCE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: opinions on
such issues as China,s investment in the host country,
foreign assistance, business practices, and expatriate
Chinese workers. Please try to delineate, if at all
possible, private lending/investment from development
assistance.

- CHIANG MAI INITIATIVE: extent to which the Chiang Mai
Initiative is seen as a vehicle for increasing China,s
influence on regional financial cooperation.


6. (U) Please submit responses by COB, February 12, 2010.
POCs for this action are EAP's Rock Cheung and David
Rodriguez.


7. (U) The Department welcomes continued reporting on host
country views on this matter and deeply appreciates posts'
assistance and input.
CLINTON