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FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1922
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0346
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 2112
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000165 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2029 
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM MEPP CH IS
SUBJECT: PRC SPECIAL ENVOY LAYS OUT POSITION ON GAZA, 
STRESSES NEED FOR PALESTINIAN STATE, DERIDES HAMAS 
 
REF: EAP/CM-EMBASSY EMAIL 1/20/09 
 
Classified By: Minister Counselor for Political Affairs Aubrey Carlson. 
Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY:  China's Special Envoy to the Middle East 
Peace Process Ambassador Sun Bigan described for PolMinCouns 
January 20 the five principles that China believes are 
necessary for progress in the Middle East Peace Process in 
light of the current situation in Gaza.  In addition to 
calling for a ceasefire and allowing provision of 
humanitarian assistance, Sun stressed the importance of 
comprehensive negotiations that lead to the establishment of 
a Palestinian state.  He said that Hamas' "reasoning" is not 
helpful but that Hamas' presence is a "reality" that must be 
considered.  Sun expressed concern over the monitoring and 
implementation of a ceasefire but added that China welcomes 
Egyptian efforts at mediation as well as U.S. engagement on 
the issue.  PolMinCouns told Sun that the United States 
welcomes China's diplomatic engagement and appreciates the 
humanitarian assistance China has provided.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (C) China's Special Envoy to the Middle East Peace Process 
Ambassador Sun Bigan briefed PolMinCouns January 20 on his 
January 12-15 trip to the Middle East where he met with 
Egyptian, Arab League, Israeli and Palestinian leaders to 
discuss the crisis in Gaza.  He said the purpose of his trip 
was to deepen China's understanding of developments in Gaza 
and the Middle East Peace Process, present the Chinese 
position on the crisis and promote the peaceful resolution of 
the issues through dialogue. 
 
¶3. (C) Ambassador Sun said that the Chinese Government was 
monitoring developments in the Middle East closely and was 
very concerned about the situation, a concern reflected in 
recent telephone discussions on the issue between President 
Hu and President Bush and between Foreign Minister Yang and 
Secretary Rice. 
 
¶4. (C) Sun reported that while in Egypt, he met with Egyptian 
Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit, Intelligence Chief Omar Suliman 
and Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa.  In Israel, he 
met with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Foreign Minister 
Tzipi Livni and in the Palestinian Territories with 
Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas as well as 
the PA Minister for Social Affairs.  He said he did not meet 
with representatives of Hamas. 
 
¶5. (C) Sun presented the five major points of China's 
position on the current situation in the Middle East, 
stressing that these points did not constitute a new position 
but rather a continuation of previous policy: 
 
-- China calls on all parties concerned to abide by UNSC 
Resolution 1860 and implement a cease-fire immediately. 
 
-- Measures should be taken to ease the humanitarian crisis 
in Gaza.  A stable channel for supply of aid, including food, 
medicine and fuel, should be opened as soon as possible, and 
all parties concerned should provide the necessary guarantees 
for this channel. 
 
-- The parties concerned should establish, through 
negotiation, a ceasefire monitoring mechanism in Gaza and 
work to create durable security and stability there. 
 
-- The Palestine-Israel peace talks should resume as soon as 
possible, and efforts should be made to seek the resolution 
of issues related to the final status of Palestine on the 
basis of mutual trust, so that an independent Palestinian 
state can be established as early as possible, with the two 
states co-existing peacefully. 
 
-- The international community should increase mediation 
efforts for peace and promote a comprehensive, just and 
durable settlement of the Middle East issue.  China is ready 
to work with the parties concerned and make unremitting 
efforts in this regard. 
 
¶6. (C) Asked China's position on Hamas, Sun said that the 
existence of Hamas in Gaza was a "reality" that had to be 
considered, but added that Hamas' "reasoning" was unhelpful. 
He stressed the need for Palestinian Authority President 
Abbas to act as the leader for all Palestinian territories. 
Sun said that China called on Hamas to renounce violence and 
enter into dialogue with Israel and other relevant parties to 
resolve the current crisis.  He said the Hamas issue could 
not be solved by force.  He wondered how the current 
ceasefire would be monitored and if oversight would be 
 
BEIJING 00000165  002 OF 002 
 
 
sufficient. 
 
¶7. (C) Sun stressed that the "most fundamental" resolution to 
the Middle East issue had to come through negotiation that 
leads to the establishment of a Palestinian state.  Such 
negotiations would require the action and support of the UN 
and the Arab League.  He added that the role of the United 
States in this process would be critical and that China hoped 
to coordinate with the United States on the issue.  Sun 
welcomed statements that the United States would continue to 
address the Mid-East situation.  Sun noted that China 
welcomed and supported Egypt's efforts to mediate in the 
crisis. 
 
¶8. (C) Drawing on ref email points, PolMinCouns told 
Ambassador Sun that the United States welcomed China's 
diplomatic engagement in the region and China's contribution 
of humanitarian assistance.  He told Sun that the United 
States condemned Hamas attacks against civilians and held 
Hamas fully responsible for the renewal of violence.  He made 
clear that the United States actively supported the mediation 
efforts of Egypt and encouraged China to likewise support 
efforts that lead to a durable ceasefire and sustainable 
peace in Gaza. 
PICCUTA