WikiLeaks cable: NZ reaction - correcting UN references to Taiwan

Photo / Mark Mitchell

August 5, 2007
New Zealand reaction - correcting UN references to Taiwan

date:2007-08-05T20:03:00
source:Embassy Wellington
origin:07WELLINGTON560
destination:VZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHWL #0560 2172003 ZNY CCCCC
ZZH O 052003Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC
IMMEDIATE 4527 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 0339
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 4899 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON
PRIORITY 0165 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 0290 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY
PARIS PRIORITY 0299 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 0632 RUEHIN/AIT
TAIPEI PRIORITY 0076 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0088
classification:CONFIDENTIAL
reference:07SECSTATE106458
?C O N F I D E N T I A L WELLINGTON 000560

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IO/UNP, EAP/CM, EAP/TC AND EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2017 ...
?C O N F I D E N T I A L WELLINGTON 000560

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IO/UNP, EAP/CM, EAP/TC AND EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2017
TAGS: PREL, CH, TW, AS, NZ, UN
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND REACTION - CORRECTING UN REFERENCES TO TAIWAN
REF: SECSTATE 106458

Classified By: Charge David J. Keegan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

1. (C) Acting PolEcon Counselor Tom Walsh delivered demarche points (reftel) to Jo McLeod, Policy Officer in the North Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on August 2.

2. (C) The MFAT officials said that they have taken our recommendation under advisement but that they could not immediately commit to make representations to the UNSYG. MFAT told Embassy that they are actively consulting with the NZ mission to the UN on how best to handle this issue. They indicated nonetheless that they completely understand and share our objectives. MFAT has promised to provide a more specific reply as soon as possible.

3. (SBU) Background on New Zealand's diplomatic relations with PRC: The Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between New Zealand and the People's Republic of China (signed December 1972) sets out the formula for mutual recognition of New Zealand and the PRC. The relevant wording in the Joint CommuniquQ is as follows:

"The Chinese Government reaffirms that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China and that Taiwan is a province of the People's Republic of China." The New Zealand Government acknowledges this position of the Chinese Government. The New Zealand Government recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China."

KEEGAN