VZCZCXRO3992
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #3207/01 1340857
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 140857Z MAY 07 ZFF4
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 7617
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7817

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 06 BEIJING 003207 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
USDOC FOR 532/BIS/OUS/MFOULON/ELEE 
USDOC FOR 532/OEA/CPADILLA/MBORMAN/BKRITZER 
USDOC FOR 532/OEE/DJACKSON/WWYSONG/JSONDERMAN 
STATE FOR EAP/CM 
STATE FOR EB/ESP 
TREASURY FOR ALAN HOLMER AND TAIYA SMITH 
CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: CESSATION OF ALL EXPORT CONTROLS TO CHINA. 
TAGS: TAGS
SUBJECT: SUBJECT: U.S.-CHINA HIGH TECHNOLOGY AND STRATEGIC 
TRADE WORKING GROUP CONCLUDES GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING 
BILATERAL HIGH-TECH TRADE AND DISCUSSES THE PROPOSED CHINA 
RULE 
 
REF: REF A: USDOC 5573 REF B: BEIJING 2944 
 
BEIJING 00003207  001.2 OF 006 
 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel Piccuta. Reasons 1.4 (b/d 
). 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. (FOUO) The April 17-18 U.S.-China High-Technology and 
Strategic Trade Working Group (HTWG) meeting in Hangzhou set 
a positive tone for the high technology and export control 
dialogue.  The delegations agreed on &Guidelines for 
U.S.-China High-Technology and Strategic Trade Development8 
(reprinted in full in para. 23), debated ways to improve 
implementation of the End-Use Visit Understanding (EUVU), and 
discussed measures to increase trade in high-potential 
sectors.  The U.S. delegation briefed extensively on the 
limited scope of U.S. dual-use export controls.  Following 
the U.S. presentation on revisions to the proposed China 
rule, the Chinese side expressed reluctance to support the 
Validated End User (VEU) program until its procedures and 
impact on China were clarified.  The results of the HTWG will 
feed into the upcoming Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED), but 
it is too soon to know if the generally positive tone will 
carry over.  End Summary. 
 
Review of Bilateral Cooperation To-Date 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) The second meeting of the U.S.-China High Technology 
and Strategic Trade Working Group was held in Hangzhou, April 
17-18, and began with a review of bilateral cooperation to 
promote high tech and strategic trade.  Ministry of Commerce 
(MOFCOM) Director General Wang Qinhua described the 2004 EUVU 
as a hallmark for cooperation that has helped expand 
bilateral high-technology trade.  Since 2004, she said over 
140 end-use visits had been completed, including 18 from 
January to March of 2007.  The first HTWG in September 2006 
had resulted in a successful bilateral industry outreach 
seminar in Shenzhen in January 2007, with over 300 government 
and industry participants. 
 
¶3. (U) Acting Under Secretary Mark Foulon expressed hope for 
continuing the positive tone of the HTWG dialogue by moving 
to a forward-looking phase of the relationship that would 
include a discussion on reciprocal steps to increase civilian 
high-technology and strategic trade. 
 
Guidelines for U.S.-China High Technology and Strategic Trade 
Development 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶4. (U) At the first HTWG, it had been agreed that the United 
States and China would develop Guidelines for facilitating 
bilateral high technology trade.  At the HTWG in Hangzhou, 
the two sides agreed upon Guidelines for U.S.-China 
High-Technology and Strategic Trade Development (reprinted in 
full in para.23) for unveiling at the SED.  Both sides 
praised the Guidelines as a positive step which provides a 
framework for future cooperation. 
 
Implementation of End-Use Visit Understanding 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (C) Foulon reiterated the importance of end use visits in 
increasing confidence and facilitating the licensing process. 
 He welcomed progress on end-use visit cooperation to date, 
including the large number of end-use visits and the fact 
that no undisputed visits were overdue.  However, he pointed 
out that there was still room for improving end-use visit 
cooperation, and, in that context, he raised four issues: 
-- Timeliness of end-use visits: The EUVU requires end-use 
visits to be completed within 60 days of request.  Since 
2005, however, only 35 percent of the EUVs have been 
completed within the required timeframe. 
 
-- Outstanding end-use visit requests: Two types of requested 
end-use visits were in dispute and overdue.  The first 
 
BEIJING 00003207  002.2 OF 006 
 
 
involves end-use visits for exports of U.S. goods that do not 
list the United States as the country from which the export 
took place on the MOFCOM end-user statement.  The second is 
for requests submitted more than six months after items have 
shipped. Foulon explained that, with respect to the first 
type, under U.S. law, the item's origin is determinative, not 
the nationality of the exporter.  That is why the English 
text of the EUVU does not specify the exporter,s nationality 
as a criterion for conducting end-use visits. 
 
-- Improving end-use visits: The BIS Export Control Officer 
(ECO) should be allowed to take photographs when that would 
improve the accuracy of an end-use visits; bring other 
Commerce officials on end-use visits, as is already provided 
for by the EUVU with MOFCOM approval, when doing so would 
support the expansion of trade; and be able to conduct checks 
on intermediary consignees. 
 
-- Consultative Process: Pursuant to EUVU Article III 
paragraph 2, the United States will request end-use visits on 
two exports to China that were shipped without a license, but 
the U.S. believes required licenses.  Foulon said these 
requests would be formally submitted on or about April 20 and 
requested a timely response to them. 
 
¶6. (C) There followed a spirited discussion, in which MOFCOM 
Deputy Director General Zhou Ruojun initially rejected the 
U.S. concerns and tried to shift the blame for these 
difficulties on the United States. Foulong rejected Zhou,s 
comments as factually wrong and contrary to the spirit of 
cooperation necessary for the End-use Visit Understanding to 
succeed. Then, DG Wang agreed that arranging 35 percent of 
the U.S. requests within 60 days was unsatisfactory and that 
MOFCOM would make efforts to improve the timeliness of 
end-use visits.  She also agreed to work with the ECO to 
clarify the procedures for obtaining pre-approval for 
requests for other Commerce officials to participate in 
end-use visits.  DG Wang also agreed that MOFCOM would be 
open to further discussion on photography and visits to 
intermediary consignees.  As for the two end-use visit 
requests for exports that went without a license, MOFCOM will 
consider the III (2) request. 
 
¶7. (C) The disputed end-use visits were more contentious.  DG 
Wang agreed to develop a methodology for dealing in the 
future with the small number of end-use statements that do 
not name the United States as the country from which the 
export takes place.  Foulon warned that the issue was already 
encompassed by the EUVU and that the two end-use visits in 
question needed to be completed without delay. 
 
Scope of U.S. Dual-Use Export Controls 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶8. (U) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Export Administration 
Matthew Borman provided a detailed briefing on the limited 
scope of U.S. dual-use export controls, reiterating U.S. 
policy of facilitating U.S. exports to civilian end-users 
while preventing exports that would contribute to China's 
military modernization.  In 2006, he noted, DOC licenses were 
required for only $308 million of exports to China (0.6% out 
of $55.2 billion in total exports). In addition, 
approximately 95 percent of licenses for exports to China 
were based on multilateral regime controls, not unilateral 
U.S. controls.  The comparable figure for &high technology 
trade8 (Census ATP categories) was $231 million (out of 
$17.6 billion) that needed a DOC license. 
 
¶9. (U) DAS Borman pointed out that DOC processed 1,423 
license applications for exports to China in 2006, of which 
only 45 (worth $17.7 million) were denied.  Borman agreed 
that some exports likely were deterred by the perceived 
&threat8 of export controls, but argued that this was an 
&outreach8 problem, not an &export control8 problem. 
 
¶10. (U) DAS Borman explained that, based on overall U.S. 
policy, there was a likelihood of denial for applications 
that would advance China's electronic and anti-submarine 
 
BEIJING 00003207  003.2 OF 006 
 
 
warfare, intelligence gathering, power projection and air 
superiority capabilities, as well as for exports of WMD and 
missile technology items contributing to proliferation or 
destined to an entity involved in missile activities.  U.S. 
exports are also restricted by law for crime control reasons. 
 The large number of violations of U.S. export control laws 
and regulations involving China demonstrate the importance of 
export controls and enforcement. 
 
¶11. (U) The Chinese delegation welcomed the presentation, but 
National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Deputy 
Director General Gu Dawei continued to claim that 
"restrictive" U.S. export controls were affecting bilateral 
trade.  Ministry of Science and Technology Deputy Director 
General Ma Linying repeated a standard iteration of the 
traditional Chinese case against export controls. Foulon 
requested additional supporting detail from China on missed 
trade opportunities, and urged further study of the U.S. 
presentation, pointing out that continuing violations of U.S. 
export regulations would reinforce the necessity for export 
controls. 
 
China's Proposals for Promoting High-Tech Trade 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
12 (U) NDRC's Gu said that China is considering "active 
measures" to encourage U.S. exports to China, and identified 
specific sectors with the most potential for cooperation: 
energy, environmental protection, scientific research, 
health/medical care, information technology, and extraction 
of natural resourcess.  China encouraged facilitating those 
U.S. exports to China in these sectors that are not related 
to national defense.  Gu suggested use of end-use visits to 
decrease license requirements and the exploration of ways to 
reduce license processing times. 
 
¶13. (U) Foulon welcomed Gu's suggestions as a positive step 
and noted the potential for the Validated End-User component 
of the China policy rule to play a significant role in 
facilitating trade in those sectors.  Borman opined that few 
items in these categories would require a license and 
proposed a process to identify license requirements, match 
suppliers and customers, and perform outreach. 
 
Update on Revisions to the China Rule 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶14. (C) Foulon pointed to the China policy rule as a model 
for transparency and consultation in the U.S. regulatory 
process.  He explained how the rule should facilitate trade 
through the Validated End-User program and described how it 
reflects extensive consultation with all affected parties. 
As a result, the rule has evolved to address concerns and 
incorporate suggestions that enhance the rule,s 
effectiveness.  BIS reviewed almost 60 comments totaling 
about 1,000 pages and currently is in inter-agency 
discussions about potential revisions.  From a general 
perspective, Borman clarified four aspects of the policy: 
 
-- To address concerns about attaining Validated End-User 
status, the rule will contain significantly more detail on 
the criteria and process for inclusion.  Firms will need to 
provide information available in the normal course of 
business, and to demonstrate that the company is engaged in 
civilian activity. U.S. responses to requests for Validated 
End-User status will be provided in a timely manner. 
 
-- The revised rule should not greatly increase MOFCOM,s 
administrative burden.  By adjusting the dollar value of 
items requiring a MOFCOM End-User/End-Use Statement, the 
number of statements that MOFCOM will have to issue should 
remain comparable to the current number while addressing 
nonproliferation concerns consistent with the Exchange of 
Letters on End-Use Visit Understanding. 
 
-- The revised rule clarifies the definition of "military 
end-use" to meet exporter concerns about any ambiguity. 
 
 
BEIJING 00003207  004.2 OF 006 
 
 
-- Extensive technical analysis was conducted on the 47 
categories of items outlined in the proposed rule, and the 
revised rule will reflect the outcome of that analysis. 
 
¶15. (C) In response to a question from the Chinese, Borman 
explained that Validated End-User program will not 
distinguish between or explicitly exclude any types of firms, 
whether state-owned enterprises, private firms or 
subsidiaries of foreign companies.  All Validated End-User 
applicants will have to demonstrate participation in civilian 
enterprise and show the existence of internal control 
mechanisms to ensure that U.S. items are used only for 
civilian purposes.  The candidates would also have to agree 
to supply records or host on-site visits and acknowledge that 
items obtained under the Validated End-User program would 
only be used for civilian purposes.  The final rule will 
include templates for the types of information required. 
 
Chinese Comments on the China Policy Rule 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶16. (C) DG Wang said that she appreciated the U.S. briefing 
which provided a better understanding of the China policy 
rule and its overall direction.  Although China had been 
pleased with its removal from the initial &rogue countries 
list8, it was still dissatisfied with the &different 
treatment8 under the policy which implies problems with 
China.  She stated that China would withhold support for the 
VEU program until more information was provided on U.S.-China 
cooperation with respect to its implementation.  In marked 
contrast to his forward-looking and conciliatory remarks from 
the first day of the HTWG, NDRC's Gu emphasized that China 
did not generally support the China policy rule, as the 
impact remains unclear pending further discussion. (COMMENT: 
DDG Gu left immediately after the last session of day one and 
did not participate in the official banquet that evening, 
which was hosted by Director General Wang Qinghua, leading us 
to surmise that DDG Gu received additional instructions from 
his leadership during the evening.) 
 
¶17. (U) Foulon explained that ongoing inter-agency 
discussions prevented more specific discussions on the 
revised rule or the provision of a copy of the revised rule 
text.  However, he said the unique opportunities and 
challenges presented by China, along with continuing concerns 
about violations of U.S. export control laws, necessitated a 
policy tailored to China with a goal of facilitating civilian 
high-technology trade under the unique conditions of the 
Chinese economy.  He emphasized the importance of maintaining 
a positive tone and constructive dialogue to implement the 
policy rule and the VEU program.  Industry strongly supported 
the Validated End-User Program; the American Chamber of 
Commerce-Beijing had expressed its support to him the 
previous Monday in Beijing. (Two subsequent outreach events 
with industry in China confirmed industry enthusiasm for the 
Validated End-User program.) In addition, other nations, such 
as India, were anxious to be included in the Validated 
End-User Program.  Through the Validated End-User program and 
in other ways, Foulon concluded, the United States is 
committed to working with China to advance civilian high-tech 
trade and achieve a win-win situation for both countries. 
 
Report to the SED 
----------------- 
 
¶18. (C) Given the positive outcomes and collaborative 
dialogue of the HTWG, the delegations agreed to report to 
their respective ministers outlining the HTWG's achievements. 
 They will outline bilateral efforts to facilitate 
high-technology trade, especially through agreement on 
Guidelines for developing high-tech trade and discussion of 
key sectors for increased cooperation. Foulon also stressed 
the importance of reflecting the detailed briefing of export 
controls and data review conducted by DAS Borman. 
 
Next Meeting of the HTWG 
------------------------ 
 
 
BEIJING 00003207  005.2 OF 006 
 
 
¶19. (U) The delegations agreed to hold the next HTWG in the 
United States in the fall of 2007.  Possible discussion 
topics include EUVU implementation, cooperation in key 
sectors to facilitate high-technology trade, and the 
Validated End-User program. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶20. (C) Comment: A key U.S. goal for the HTWG was to improve 
the tone of the dialogue and shift the focus from &dueling 
statistics8 to cooperative efforts to facilitate 
high-technology and strategic trade.  The tone was in fact 
largely positive, although there were instances of a return 
to extreme Chinese criticism of the basis for U.S. export 
controls.  The Guidelines and Chinese list of priority 
sectors offer hope for a constructive dialogue at SED II, but 
ongoing Chinese concerns over the policy rule hold open the 
possibility for a more negative exchange in May. 
Commerce/BIS will work to defuse Chinese concerns about VEU 
before the SED, but it is &too soon to tell8 what the 
result will be.  End Comment. 
 
¶21. (U) The delegation cleared this cable. 
 
¶22. (U) Participants: 
 
United States: 
Acting U/S Mark Foulon, Commerce Department 
DAS Matthew Borman, Commerce Department 
Barry Friedman, Commercial Minister Counselor 
Robert Luke, Economic Minister Counselor 
Eugene Lee, Senior Advisor, Commerce Department 
Mark Tesone, Political Officer (notetaker) 
Jeannette Chu, Export Control Officer 
Francis Peters, Commercial Officer, Consulate Shanghai 
Mark Erickson, Economic Officer, Consulate Shanghai 
Peining Zhao, Commercial Specialist 
 
China: 
Wang Qinhua, DG, Mechanic, Electronic and High-Tech (MEHT) 
Department, MOFCOM 
Gu Dawei, DDG, High Tech Industry Department, NDRC 
Ma Linying, DDG, International Cooperation Department, 
Ministry of Science and Technology 
Chen Ying, DDG, Electronic Information Product Management 
Department, Ministry of Information Industry 
Zhang Shibao, DDG, China National Space Administration 
Zhou Ruojun, DDG, MEHT Department, MOFCOM 
Jiang Qianliang, Director, MEHT Department, MOFCOM 
Fan Xingmin, Director, China National Space Administration 
Liu Haiyan, First Secretary, American and Oceania Affairs 
Department, MOFCOM 
Zhou Quan, Deputy Director, MEHT Department, MOFCOM 
Tan Sui, Official, NDRC 
Li Xin, Official, International Cooperation Department, 
Ministry of Science and Technology 
Jiang Fang, Official, MEHT Department, MOFCOM 
 
¶23. (U) Text of the Guidelines for U.S.-China High-Technology 
and Strategic Trade Development. 
 
BEGIN TEXT 
 
The Ministry of Commerce of China and the Department of 
Commerce of the U.S. (hereinafter referred to as "the two 
sides") recognize the great potential in China-U.S. civilian 
high-technology and strategic trade.  The two sides have 
agreed on the following guidelines to strengthen cooperation 
and promote the development of bilateral high technology and 
strategic trade. 
 
¶1. The two sides will endeavor to promote bilateral civilian 
high technology and strategic trade by sharing information on 
market opportunities, identifying and eliminating unnecessary 
barriers to such trade. 
 
¶2. The two sides recognize that full implementation of the 
 
BEIJING 00003207  006.2 OF 006 
 
 
2004 Exchange of Letters on End-Use Visit Cooperation 
(hereinafter referred to as the End-Use Visit Understanding, 
or EUVU) is of critical importance to promoting China-U.S. 
civilian high technology and strategic trade.  Therefore, the 
China-U.S. High Technology and Strategic Trade Working Group 
will review EUVU implementation and other issues relating to 
China-U.S. civilian high technology and strategic trade. 
 
¶3. The two sides shall work together to identify promising 
sectors in civilian high technology and strategic trade, and 
to formulate and implement phased plans and specific measures 
that each side or both sides can take to develop trade in 
these sectors. 
 
¶4. The two sides believe that trade in controlled dual-use 
items holds an important place in China-U.S. civilian high 
technology and strategic trade.  The two sides shall exchange 
views on issues affecting bilateral civilian high technology 
and strategic trade in a frank and open spirit.  They shall 
seek through dialogue and cooperation to clarify 
misunderstandings and resolve differences in order to promote 
the rapid development of civilian high technology and 
strategic trade.  The two sides will actively foster the 
formulation of policies, with regulations, to promote such 
trade. 
 
¶5. The two sides shall review the functioning of the U.S. 
dual-use export licensing process with respect to China and 
the status of cooperation on end-use visits to identify 
measures, as appropriate, to streamline export license 
application procedures and shorten export license processing 
time to promote the development of bilateral civilian high 
technology and strategic trade. 
 
¶6. Upon mutual agreement, these guidelines may be modified. 
 
END TEXT 
RANDT