Cablegate: October 31 Tao Press Briefing: 17th Party Congress

VZCZCXRO4092
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #6919/01 3041149
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 311149Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3174
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1882

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 006919

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD ECON MASS MNUC CH TW
SUBJECT: OCTOBER 31 TAO PRESS BRIEFING: 17TH PARTY CONGRESS
REPORT, TAIWAN'S UN REFERENDUM, OPPOSITION TO TAIWAN NUKES,
PERSONNEL QUESTIONS, INTERNET SPYING

Summary
-------

1. Key points at the October 31 Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO)
press briefing were:

-- The spokesman gave a summary of the "guiding ideology" and
"overall requirements" for Taiwan-related work revealed in
General Secretary Hu Jintao's political report at the recent
17th Party Congress.

-- The spokesman expressed the PRC's hope for a return to
"equal" (pingdeng) negotiations with the 1992 Consensus as a
basis.

-- The Mainland will be forced to take "necessary measures"
to "protect national sovereignty, territorial integrity and
the country's core interests."

-- The spokesman expressed clear opposition to the
"referendum on UN membership promoted by Chen Shui-bian."

-- In response to a question, the spokesman said the PRC
firmly opposes development of nuclear weapons or nuclear
capabilities in any form by the Taiwan authorities. End
Summary.

17th CCP Congress: Peace Agreement, Necessary Measures
--------------------------------------------- ---------

2. At the October 31 regular Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO)
press briefing, spokesman Yang Yi led off with a summary of
the "guiding ideology" and "overall requirements" for
Taiwan-related work revealed in General Secretary Hu Jintao's
political report at the recent 17th Party Congress. Yang
stressed the importance of the "one China" principle as the
political basis for the peaceful development of cross-Strait
relations, the sameness in blood and heritage of Chinese
compatriots on both sides of the Strait and opposition to
"splittist" forces, "de jure Taiwan independence" activities
and Chen Shui-bian's referendum on UN membership. The
report's call for an end to the "state of hostility" and a
"peace agreement" marks a "new developmentin the Party's
negotiating position" and "prospects for peaceful development
in cross-Strait relations," Yang said.

3. The spokesman voiced hope for a return to "equal"
(pingdeng) negotiations with the 1992 Consensus as a basis,
when asked if moving in the direction of a "peace agreement"
could mean restarting the dialogue mechanism between the
Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and the Association for
Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS). Asked if after
Taiwan's upcoming election in March there could be a positive
"turning point" toward a "peace agreement," the spokesman
repeated the intention, as expressed in the political report,
to build a "framework" for cross-Strait peace and a "new
situation" (xin jumian) in the peaceful development of
cross-Strait relations.

4. Yang concluded the conference by affirming that in the
case of "Taiwan independence" forces' obstinacy and the risk
of "Taiwan independence," the Mainland will be forced to take
"necessary measures" to "protect national sovereignty,
territorial integrity and the country's core interests."
When asked if "necessary measures" could include military
action or implementation of the Anti-Secession Law, Yang said
the Mainland will "unswervingly" promote the development of
cross-Strait relations "in the direction of peace and
stability," while at the same time making "necessary
preparations for the threat of Taiwan independence."

Opposition to Taiwan's "Referendum on UN Membership"
--------------------------------------------- -------

5. Yang repeatedly expressed China's "clear opposition" to
the "referendum on UN membership promoted by Chen Shui-bian,"
in response to multiple questions on the topic. Reporters'
questions included references to KMT support for the
referendum and "increasingly aggressive" momentum behind the
"UN membership" movement.

Mainland Opposes Nukes in Taiwan
--------------------------------

6. The spokesman said the TAO has "noticed relevant reports,"
when asked about Chen Shui-bian's statement that though the
DPP would not seek to develop nuclear weapons, Taiwan must
strengthen its "national defenses" to combat PRC military
forces arrayed against it. The TAO firmly opposes
development of nuclear weapons or nuclear capabilities in any

BEIJING 00006919 002 OF 002

form by the Taiwan authorities, Yang added.

ARATS, TAO Personnel Questions
------------------------------

7. Asked to confirm that former United Front Department
Director Yan Minggfu will become the next head of ARATS, Yang
replied that he does not know anything regarding "Hong Kong
newspaper reports." Yang deflected questions on personnel
changes within the TAO.

Internet Spying
---------------

8. The TAO has "noticed relevant reports" on Internet
security, Yang said, in response to a request for
confirmation that the Mainland's Ministry of State Security
(MSS) had sent out an arrest warrant for Internet "spy" Lee
Fang-rong. Yang pointed out the "odious influence"
(yingxiang shifen elie) of large-scale Internet spying
operations carried out by Taiwan's spying and intelligence
organs for many years. He added that those who undertake
destructive activities against the Motherland will be
investigated and punished according to law.

Other Issues Covered
--------------------

9. The spokesman also took questions on Taiwan business on
the Mainland, repatriation of economic criminals,
cross-Strait cultural exchange, charter flights, tourism, the
20th anniversary of allowing Taiwan residents to visit family
on the Mainland and reports from Taiwan businessmen of TAO
neglect of an agricultural cooperation project.
Randt

© Scoop Media