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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 BEIJING 003312 
 
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y//subject LINE CHANGE// 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2029 
TAGS: OVIP BURNS WILLIAM PREL MNUC SENV PARM CASC
PHUM, ETRD, MASS, IR, AF, PAK, IN, TW, CH 
SUBJECT: UNDER SECRETARY BURNS' DECEMBER 9, 2009 
CONVERSATION WITH CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER YANG JIECHI 
 
BEIJING 00003312  001.2 OF 004 
 
 
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1.4 
 (b,d). 
 
¶1.  (SBU) December 9, 2009; 3:45 p.m.; Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs; Beijing 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Participants: 
 
U.S. 
---- 
Under Secretary Burns 
Amb. Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., Embassy Beijing 
David Shear, EAP Deputy Assistant Secretary of State 
Laura Rosenberger, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary 
Eric Barboriak, Embassy Beijing Political Officer 
Meredith Sumpter, Embassy Beijing Political Officer 
Ryan Hass, Embassy Beijing Political Officer (notetaker) 
James Brown, Interpreter 
 
CHINA 
----- 
 
Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs 
Cheng Jingye, Director General, Department of Arms Control 
and Disarmament, MFA 
Zheng Zeguang, Director General, Department of North American 
and Oceanian Affairs, MFA 
Shen Yongxiang, Deputy Director General, Department of 
International Organizations and Conferences, MFA 
Liu Yongfeng, Counselor, Department of West Asian and North 
African Affairs, MFA 
Shen Jian, Director, Nuclear Division, Department of Arms 
Control and Disarmament, MFA 
Wu Jianjian, Second Secretary, Department of Arms Control and 
Disarmament, MFA 
Qian Xinyi, Interpreter 
 
¶3. (C) SUMMARY:  In a December 9 meeting with Chinese Foreign 
Minister Yang Jiechi, Under Secretary Burns stressed the 
importance of coordinated actions on the Iran nuclear issue. 
U/S Burns urged China to demonstrate leadership at climate 
talks in Copenhagen, and encouraged greater bilateral 
coordination to further shared interests in stability and 
development in Afghanistan and Pakistan.  U/S Burns 
highlighted the importance of human rights in U.S.-PRC 
relations, and called for the release of AmCit Feng Xue on 
humanitarian grounds.  Foreign Minister Yang hoped the U.S. 
would show more support for China's climate change position 
at Copenhagen, asked for help to press India to show more 
flexibility toward Pakistan, and stressed the need to prepare 
thoroughly for any upcoming meetings between Presidents Obama 
and Hu.  FM Yang expressed concern over possible arms sales 
to Taiwan, particularly of F-16s, China's opposition to a 
potential meeting between President Obama and the Dalai Lama, 
and China's concern about tit-for-tat trade remedies. 
Foreign Minister Yang expressed interest in a quick 
resumption of the Six-Party Talks and the importance of the 
bilateral consultation on the G-20 to ensure that it becomes 
a successful institution.  End Summary. 
 
U.S Interested in Results at Copenhagen 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (C) In a meeting with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi 
December 9, U/S Burns expressed hope that China would 
demonstrate leadership at U.N. climate talks in Copenhagen, 
particularly by listing actions that China planned to take in 
the conference's politically-binding document and by 
demonstrating transparency in the implementation process that 
followed.  FM Yang responded that China hoped that the United 
States would show more support for China's climate change 
position at Copenhagen, bearing in mind that China was a 
developing country, it was doing its best, and that "quite a 
few countries" were sympathetic to China's position. 
 
Shared Interest in Stability in South Asia 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶5. (C) U/S Burns stated that the U.S. looked forward to 
working closely with China to further our shared interests in 
a stable Afghanistan and Pakistan.  FM Yang responded that 
Chinese leaders used Pakistani leaders' frequent visits to 
 
BEIJING 00003312  002.2 OF 004 
 
 
encourage the Pakistanis to understand that stability and 
development were important elements in countering terrorism. 
Pakistan had paid a heavy price in the fight against 
terrorism and deserved the international community's support, 
FM Yang stated.  Pakistan's neighboring countries, 
particularly India, should show more understanding for 
Pakistan's security needs.  Pakistani President Zardari was 
"very interested" in improving Pakistan-India relations, and 
China hoped that as a much larger country, India would adopt 
a more forward-looking, flexible attitude toward Pakistan, FM 
Yang stated.  U/S Burns responded that Indian Prime Minister 
Singh had just been in Washington, and that the U.S. would 
continue to encourage both India and Pakistan to improve 
their bilateral relationship. 
 
Human Rights as Element of Bilateral Relationship 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶6. (C) FM Yang declared President Obama's November visit to 
China a success and stated that the joint statement issued at 
the conclusion of the visit provided a comprehensive 
guideline for the development of bilateral relations in the 
21st century.  Our task, FM Yang said, was to implement our 
two Presidents' vision.  Presidents Obama and Hu would have 
many opportunities to meet in 2010, including at two G-20 
summits, other summits, and President Hu's visit to the 
United States.  FM Yang stressed the need for both sides to 
make good preparations for these upcoming meetings.  FM Yang 
noted that the second round of the Strategic and Economic 
Dialogue would provide an additional chance to open up areas 
of cooperation. 
 
¶7. (C) U/S Burns responded that the busy bilateral agenda was 
a positive sign, and noted the importance of dialogue even on 
issues where both sides did not share a common view, such as 
human rights, which made the resumption of the Human Rights 
Dialogue in 2010 of such importance.  U/S Burns requested 
that China consider the release of AmCit Feng Xue on 
humanitarian grounds, and noted the President and the 
Secretary's interest in this case.  FM Yang responded that 
Dr. Xue's case would be decided by an independent judiciary. 
FM Yang expressed hope for a good human rights dialogue, and 
commented that he would tell his colleagues to be 
well-prepared. 
 
Need for Common Efforts on Iran 
------------------------------- 
 
¶8. (C) U/S Burns stated that China and the U.S. had important 
shared interests in the stability of the Middle East, and 
noted that no U.S. president in the last 30 years had gone to 
as much effort as President Obama to engage Iran.  The United 
States was frustrated that the agreements that the P5-plus-1 
had reached with Iran in Geneva had been walked back by the 
Iranians.  U/S Burns explained that the U.S. had sought 
creative solutions to build confidence with Iran, including 
on the Tehran Research Reactor proposal, but that Iran's 
failure to follow through on the understandings reached in 
Geneva, including on its commitment to meet with P5-plus-1 
countries for talks on its nuclear program, had been 
disappointing.  At the end of 2009, U/S Burns explained, the 
U.S. would have to ask what more we could do to push forward 
the diplomatic track, and how we should begin to make clear 
to Iran the consequences of Iran's failure to follow through 
on its commitments.  U/S Burns underscored that U.S-PRC 
cooperation on Iran and P5-plus-1 unity had been 
instrumental, and the adoption of the resolution on Iran at 
the IAEA Board of Governors had been a very positive step. 
 
¶9. (C) FM Yang agreed that the unified P5-plus-1 vote at the 
IAEA had sent a firm, clear message to Iran.  China hoped the 
P5-plus-1 could continue to find ways to bring about peaceful 
settlement of the Iran nuclear issue.  FM Yang welcomed the 
close coordination among the P5-plus-1 Political Directors 
and emphasized the value of U/S Burns' continuing close 
contact with Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei.  FM Yang 
stressed that it was very important to maintain stability in 
the Middle East, while acknowledging that Gulf states were 
nervous about the possibility of Iran developing nuclear 
weapons.  China welcomed U.S. engagement.  While commenting 
that Iran was currently very unhappy with China, FM Yang 
emphasized that China would stand its ground. 
 
BEIJING 00003312  003.2 OF 004 
 
 
 
¶10. (C) U/S Burns noted that a key risk of Iran's nuclear 
program was that other actors would draw independent 
conclusions about how to respond.  If the Saudis concluded 
that Iran was close to acquiring nuclear weapons, they would 
pursue their own nuclear program.  The Israelis were deeply 
concerned, U/S Burns explained, adding that we could not 
underestimate the possibility that Israel would reach the 
conclusion that it could not afford to sit still.  FM Yang 
responded that his last trip to Israel and his meeting with 
Israeli Foreign Minister Lieberman had left the same 
impression. 
 
PRC Bilateral Sensitivities: Arms Sales, Dalai Lama, Trade 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
 
¶11. (C) FM Yang flagged Chinese opposition to any arms sales 
to Taiwan, particularly of F-16s, and strongly urged the U.S. 
not to proceed with any F-16 sale.  FM Yang explained that 
China had demonstrated patience and goodwill in seeking to 
develop peaceful relations across the Taiwan Strait.  Taiwan 
was pushing on some issues that were irritating, FM Yang 
stated, including joining the UN Framework Convention on 
Climate Change (UNFCC), which the PRC opposed.  In spite of 
occasional differences, the cross-Strait atmosphere was 
improving, and the PRC hoped the United States would be a 
positive force in this development.  FM Yang added that a 
non-sale of F-16s would be constructive for further 
cultivation of cross-Strait ties. 
 
¶12. (C) FM Yang noted China's clear opposition to a potential 
meeting between President Obama and the Dalai Lama.  China 
was also very concerned about trade remedy measures, and 
hoped to avoid tit-for-tat retaliatory actions.  FM Yang 
declared that U.S.-PRC relations had matured beyond the 
tit-for-tat stage, and then recounted that in the first ten 
years of bilateral relations, PRC leaders had thought about 
China's strategic security vis-a-vis Russia, in the second 
ten years the focus had been on trade relations, and now the 
bilateral relationship was anchored in a common effort to 
jointly address regional and global challenges.  FM Yang 
urged that bilateral issues be discussed quietly in order to 
maintain for the world the image that the U.S. and China 
could do business together. 
 
PRC Supports U.S. Engagement with DPRK 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶13. (C) Asked his assessment of North Korea, FM Yang said his 
involvement in Premier Wen Jiabao's October 5 meeting with 
Kim Jong-Il had left an impression that Kim Jong-Il paid a 
great deal of attention to North Korea's relationship with 
the United States.  Kim Jong-Il understood that a brighter 
future for North Korea depended upon a reasonably stable 
relationship with the United States.  Dialogue with North 
Korea was never smooth in part because North Koreans were 
very accomplished negotiators.  In spite of this, China hoped 
for positive results from U.S. engagement with North Korea. 
China stood ready to explore all options for the resumption 
of the Six-Party Talks, but first the U.S. needed to bring 
North Korea back to the Talks.  China would do its best to 
re-start the Six-Party Talks under appropriate conditions, FM 
Yang concluded. 
 
U.S. Request for PRC Support in Af/Pak 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶14. (C) Asked for details on the status of an international 
conference on Afghanistan in London in late January 2010, U/S 
Burns explained that the broad purpose would be for the 
newly-formed Afghan government to lay out its plan for the 
future and for the international community to make clear its 
support for the Afghan government.  At the same time, it 
would be stressed that the Afghan government had to live up 
to its commitments. 
 
¶15. (C) Asked about the situation on the ground in 
Afghanistan, U/S Burns stated that conditions were difficult 
and that the United States understood that adding troops 
would not on its own solve all of the problems.  That was 
why, U/S Burns explained, the United States had a 
comprehensive strategy that emphasized security, economic 
 
BEIJING 00003312  004.2 OF 004 
 
 
development and good governance.  China's investment in the 
Aynak copper mine and its infrastructure projects were very 
important, U/S Burns stated.  FM Yang responded that China's 
assistance to Afghanistan was intended to serve both Chinese 
and Afghan interests.  The Chinese government urged Chinese 
companies doing business in Afghanistan to engage with the 
local population, including through the building of schools, 
hospitals and power plants in the vicinity of investments, 
according to FM Yang. 
 
¶16. (C) U/S Burns urged China to use its influence to 
encourage Pakistan to confront domestic extremists.  FM Yang 
recounted that Pakistan's President visited China every three 
months.  Pakistan's reservoir of goodwill among the Chinese 
people made it easy for China to provide assistance, since 
"the people" ultimately decided what type of assistance China 
could provide to recipient countries, according to FM Yang. 
U/S Burns responded that the U.S. was providing support for 
Pakistan's efforts to confront internal extremists, including 
in Swat, while at the same time providing increased economic 
assistance as a demonstration of a long-term commitment to 
Pakistan's development.  FM Yang noted that although there 
was some opposition to the U.S. within Pakistan, U.S. acts of 
sincerity would win more and more support over time.  U/S 
Burns noted that the Secretary had recently engaged directly 
with Pakistanis of all viewpoints, which prompted FM Yang to 
note that the Secretary's visit appeared to have been very 
successful. 
 
PRC Call for Consultation on G-20 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶17. (C) FM Yang stressed that it was important to ensure the 
success of the G-20, and suggested that the U.S. and China 
consult regularly on the mechanisms and purpose of the 
institution, particularly in the run-up to the next summit 
meeting in Canada.  FM Yang indicated that the Secretary had 
interesting ideas about the G-20. 
HUNTSMAN