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FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9654
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0122
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0122
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1767

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 BEIJING 004521 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2017 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PMUC PTER PHUM IZ IR KN TC
SUBJECT: EAP DAS TOM CHRISTENSEN WITH MFA NORTH AMERICA DG 
LIU JIEYI 
 
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson.  Reasons 1. 
4 (b/d). 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. (C) China will press Sudan to accept a peacekeeping force 
in Darfur under UN command and control and welcomes bilateral 
talks between the United States and North Korea, MFA North 
America and Oceania Affairs Department Director General Liu 
Jieyi told visiting EAP DAS Thomas Christensen on July 5. 
DAS Christensen urged China to reconsider aspects of its 
relations with Iran, which is not only refusing to meet its 
obligations to the international community on nuclear 
nonproliferation, but is promoting terrorism in the Middle 
East and supporting U.S. enemies in Iraq.  Liu expressed 
interest in any information the United States could share on 
Iranian behavior, including its Special Forces' activities 
and transfer of weapons to Shiite militants in Iraq.  Liu 
said the United States is sending "wrong signals" about U.S. 
policy toward Taiwan by allowing Taiwan Vice President 
Annette Lu to transit the United States and by inviting the 
Taiwan "foreign minister" to an Independence Day celebration 
in Taipei.  Responding to Liu's claims that U.S. offers of 
weapons to Taiwan are destabilizing, DAS Christensen stressed 
that U.S. arms sales are consistent with the three joint 
communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act, contribute to peace 
and stability in the Taiwan Strait and are not designed to 
support Taiwan independence or any single Taiwan leader.  DAS 
Christensen also noted that the PRC military build-up along 
the Strait and PRC efforts to reduce Taiwan's international 
space are leading to increased instability in the Strait. 
 
¶2. Summary continued.  Liu said China is "extremely 
concerned" by the "sweeping regulations" adopted by the 
United States in response to contaminated Chinese seafood 
imports.  Stressing that the United States has taken these 
measure to keep our food supply safe, DAS Christensen said 
the United States is eager to resume seafood imports from 
China once China demonstrates it has reliable procedures in 
place to ensure food safety.  Liu objected to U.S. officials 
meeting Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer and Hong Kong Cardinal 
Joseph Zen and the planned October ceremony awarding a 
congressional medal to the Dalai Lama.  He also protested the 
repeated opening of China's diplomatic pouch by U.S. 
authorities.  DAS Christensen protested China's mistreatment 
of Kadeer's family and urged Beijing to engage in dialogue 
with the Dalai Lama.  He urged China to reconvene a human 
rights dialogue with the U.S. Government and to issue 
expeditiously a passport to human rights activist Yang 
Jianli.  End Summary. 
 
Bilateral Relations 
------------------- 
 
¶3. (C) MFA North America and Oceania Affairs Department 
Director General Liu Jieyi told visiting EAP DAS Thomas 
Christensen July 5 that China and the United States must work 
hard to expand cooperation and maintain a "stable, healthy 
and vigorous" relationship through the fall Communist Party 
Congress, summer 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2008 
elections in the United States.  He identified several 
upcoming events that can help advance bilateral relations, 
including President Bush and President Hu's meeting in 
September on the margins of APEC in Sydney, National Party 
Congress Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo's visit to 
Washington, FM Yang Jiechi's visit to Washington on the 
margins of the UN General Assembly and Chairman-designate of 
the Joint Chiefs Admira Mullen's planned travel to China. 
Secretary Rice is also welcome to visit, possibly close to 
 
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the time of the ASEAN Regional Forum.  Taiwan Affairs Office 
Director Chen Yunlin's trip to the U.S. and upcoming visits 
to Beijing by Treasury Secretary Paulson and HUD Secretary 
Jackson will also be important.  China also would welcome 
visits by Defense Secretary Gates and National Security 
Advisor Hadley. 
 
¶4. (C) Bilateral trade and economic relations also provide 
opportunities to maintain positive momentum in the 
relationship, Liu continued.  Implementation of the second 
Senior Economic Dialogue (SED) results and preparations for 
SED III, as well as for the 18th Joint Commission on Commerce 
and Trace (JCCT), will require close cooperation.  However, 
it is important to avoid "politicization" of economic and 
trade issues, including by Congress.  Economic and trade 
friction should be handled via consultations and cooperation. 
 DAS Christensen offered that the best way to avoid trade 
friction and reduce domestic pressure on United States-China 
trade within the United States is for the Chinese to adopt 
 
BEIJING 00004521  002 OF 004 
 
 
concrete measures to resolve outstanding problems. 
 
¶5. (C) Liu said the Chinese side envisaged several steps to 
follow up the recent Senior Dialogue led by Deputy Secretary 
Negroponte and Vice FM Dai Bingguo.  China is working on 
specifics of VFM Dai's proposal for a mutual notification 
arrangement between our militaries.  China would welcome U.S. 
thoughts on the Northeast Asia Security Mechanism, including 
a trilateral dialogue between the United States, China and 
Japan.  Liu welcomed the U.S. proposal regarding the 
strategic nuclear dialogue and appreciated the invitation for 
PRC Second Artillery Force Commander General Jing Zhiyuan to 
visit STRATCOM.  The relevant Chinese departments are 
considering U.S. proposals to resume human rights and 
counterterrorism dialogues.  DAS Christensen stressed that a 
visit by General Jing would lead to increased dialogue and 
greater PRC military transparency. 
 
Iran 
---- 
 
¶6. (C) DAS Christensen said more international pressure is 
needed to change Iran's behavior in the nuclear arena. 
Iran's export of terrorism throughout the Middle East and its 
support of enemies of the United States in Iraq also require 
action.  China's otherwise normal relations with Iran under 
such circumstances are a problem for our bilateral relations. 
 DAS Christensen urged China to consider its own interests, 
the fight against terrorism, and the importance of Middle 
East stability in reconsidering it relations with Iran. 
Under current circumstances, China's reported pursuit of 
energy deals with Iran sends a terrible signal.  Likewise, 
Chinese conventional arms sales to Iran, even though not in 
violation of any international regime, are a very bad idea. 
Liu responded that China shares U.S. views on nuclear 
proliferation and terrorism and opposes Iran's nuclear 
weapons program.  Describing China as a "stakeholder" on 
Iran, he asked if the United States could share with China 
evidence of Iranian support for terror, especially in Iraq. 
Such information would provide China a better understanding 
of the situation and allow Beijing to explore how it might 
cooperate with the United States.  China's conventional 
weapons sales to Iran are based on three principles applied 
to Chinese weapons sales around the world, he claimed:  that 
the weapons are for defensive purposes; that they not be 
transferred to third parties without Chinese consent; and 
that the weapons not contribute to regional instability. 
 
Sudan 
----- 
 
¶7. (C) DAS Christensen urged China to support a strong 
Chapter VII resolution creating an effective UN peacekeeping 
effort under UN command and control and to increase pressure 
on the Sudan government to accept such an effort.  He noted 
that U.S. Special Envoy Andrew Natsios would like to visit 
Beijing to discuss Darfur with his PRC counterparts.  Liu 
said that China will "continue applying pressure" on Khartoum 
to accept a UN/African Union hybrid peacekeeping force that 
is under UN command and control.  China will coordinate 
closely with the United States on a UN Security Council 
resolution authorizing the peacekeeping mission.  Liu asked 
the United States to persuade non-signatory rebel groups to 
join the Darfur Peace Agreement.  Welcoming Chinese pressure 
on President Bashir, DAS Christensen stressed that UN command 
and control is essential for an effective peacekeeping 
mission.  A strong Chapter Seven resolution is also required 
to ensure Khartoum keeps its commitments.  The objective is 
not to weaken Bashir's regime or to cause the territorial 
dismemberment of Sudan, but simply to address the 
humanitarian crisis in Darfur. 
 
North Korea 
----------- 
 
¶8. (C) Bilateral discussions between the United States and 
North Korea within the context of the Six-Party Talks are "a 
good thing," DG Liu said, adding that such discussions add 
"momentum" toward implementation of the September 15 Joint 
Statement.  He expressed hope that a Heads of Delegation 
meeting and ministerial meeting can take place soon.  DAS 
Christensen welcomed recent news of North Korea's progress 
toward implementing the February 13 agreement.  He said the 
United States and China must continue to push North Korea to 
carry out its commitments, and focus on our shared objective: 
 the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. 
 
Taiwan: "Sending Wrong Signals" 
------------------------------ 
 
BEIJING 00004521  003 OF 004 
 
 
 
¶9. (C) DG Liu said that China welcomes recent U.S. statements 
opposing a Taiwan referendum on applying for UN membership 
under the name "Taiwan."  However, he said, China objects to 
Taiwan "so-called" Vice President Annette Lu's transit 
through the United States.  Liu urged the United States not 
to allow future transits by Taiwan officials.  These visitors 
use the United States as a "forum for secessionist 
activities" and use such visits to suggest the United States 
supports their views.  Beijing also objects to the American 
Institute in Taiwan inviting the Taiwan "foreign minister" to 
an Independence Day celebration, at which AIT flew the U.S. 
flag.  Recent "anti-China and pro-Taiwan rhetoric" in the 
U.S. Congress and media is sending the "wrong signals" about 
U.S. policy, Liu claimed, and is emboldening Taiwan 
independence forces and "making them even more unscrupulous." 
 Liu also complained about TECRO Washington representative 
Joseph Wu's pro-independence activities in the United States. 
 Promising to relay Liu's concerns to Washington, DAS 
Christensen stressed that the United States is committed to 
our one China policy based on the three joint communiques and 
the Taiwan Relations Act.  Given our principles of free 
speech and separation of powers, there will always be 
numerous voices expressing diverse views about Taiwan in the 
United States.  The United States opposes attempts to "limit 
Taiwan's international space" especially in organizations 
that do not require statehood for membership.  Such attempts 
cause an anti-China "backlash," he stressed, particularly 
among the Taiwan public. 
 
Taiwan Arms Sales 
----------------- 
 
¶10. (C) This is "an unprecedented high-risk period" in 
cross-Strait relations, DG Liu said.  He protested the U.S. 
offer of an "advanced weapons" packages to Taiwan and 
meetings reportedly planned in Washington with high-level 
Taiwan military officials, arguing that this emboldens Chen 
Shui-bian's "unscrupulous" pro-independence activities.  DAS 
Christensen reminded Liu that the United States provides 
defensive military items to Taiwan, consistent with the three 
joint communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act.  These sales 
contribute to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. 
Emphasizing that the arms sales are not offered to Chen 
Shui-bian or any specific politician or party but rather to 
Taiwan for its legitimate long-term self defense needs, DAS 
Christensen noted that the arms package recently reported in 
the media has been on the table since 2001.  The offer is not 
linked to Taiwan internal political developments and, over 
the past several years, has not sent a signal that the United 
States supports Taiwan independence.  During that time, the 
U.S. Government has been very clear that the United States 
does not support Taiwan independence and opposes unilateral 
changes to the status quo by either side.  The United States 
views China's continued military buildup along the Taiwan 
Strait as destabilizing and believes it probably contributes 
to support in Taiwan for the UN referendum, he said.  Recent 
PRC efforts to restrict Taiwan's international space have 
also backfired on China, causing increased support on Taiwan 
for Chen Shui-bian's referendum initiative. 
 
Restrictions on Chinese Seafood Imports 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶11. (C) China is "extremely concerned" by the "sweeping 
regulations" adopted by the United States in response to 
contaminated Chinese seafood imports, DG Liu told DAS 
Christensen.  When China finds food imports from the United 
States unsafe, the issue is handled on a case-by-case basis 
in consultation with the United States.  The United States 
should adopt the same "cooperative attitude" and resolve this 
matter through consultation.  Liu hopes Washington can view 
this issue objectively and avoid politicizing and 
sensationalizing its reaction.  DAS Christensen said that the 
restrictions on Chinese seafood imports are not a punishment 
or sanction, but simply a necessary measure to keep our food 
supply safe.  The United States is eager to resume seafood 
imports from China when China demonstrates it has reliable 
procedures in place to ensure food safety.  This will require 
not only dialogue between Chinese and U.S. agencies, but also 
increased technical capacity by China to meet U.S. monitoring 
and inspection standards. 
 
Human Rights 
------------ 
 
¶12. (C) Liu said that China objects to a recent meeting 
between President Bush and Rebiya Kadeer in Prague and a more 
recent meeting between Kadeer and the First Lady at the White 
 
BEIJING 00004521  004 OF 004 
 
 
House.  Kadeer supports "East Turkestan independence" and has 
links to "terrorist groups," he claimed.  DAS Christensen 
said that the United States recognizes Xinjiang Province as a 
part of China and that Kadeer receives attention and sympathy 
in the United States because she and her family are seen as 
victims of politically motivated mistreatment by the Chinese 
government.  This is an issue of human rights and freedom of 
speech, not U.S. support for any pro-independence agenda for 
Xinjiang.  The United States has no knowledge of any ties 
between Kadeer and terrorist organizations.  We would take 
evidence of any such ties seriously. 
 
¶13. (C) Liu complained about President Bush's recent meeting 
with "anti-China troublemaker" Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen 
and the planned October ceremony awarding a congressional 
medal to "secessionist criminal" the Dalai Lama.  DAS 
Christensen said both events reflect the President, the 
Congress and the American people's strong commitment to 
religious freedom.  He urged Beijing to engage in direct and 
constructive dialogue with the Vatican and the Dalai Lama and 
to reconvene the human rights dialogue with DRL Assistant 
Secretary Barry Lowenkron and Ambassador-at-Large for 
 
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Religious Freedom John Hanford soon, proposing July 27 and 
July 30 as possible dates.  He said the United States hopes 
China will expedite Yang Jianli's passport application to 
enable him to depart China and join his family in the United 
States.  DG Liu responded that U.S. meetings with Kadeer and 
Cardinal Zen made resolving Yang's situation "more complex." 
 
Diplomatic Pouch 
---------------- 
 
¶14. Liu complained that for the seventh time since 2004, U.S. 
authorities opened China's diplomatic pouch.  China 
"seriously demands" that the United States take specific 
measures to prevent recurrence of this infringement of 
internationally recognized diplomatic privileges. 
 
¶15. (U) DAS Christensen cleared this message. 
RANDT