- Jul 2, 2018
- 3,047
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PRIME MINISTER |
PRIVATE AND SECURITY CLASSIFIED (ENCRYPTED) INFORMATION, HARSH PENALTIES APPLY FOR LEAKING SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: SECRET |
Tong Baorui President of the United Republic of China Zhongnanhai, 174 Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing 100031 |
Dear Mr. Baorui, I understand that a recent diplomatic meeting between my Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese Global Assembly Representative has caused global headlines after it was revealed that the Assemblywoman was broadcasting the meeting to the world. Believe me, we are furious at her for doing that. In that meeting, there were several matters we discussed which included but was not limited to, China. We understand that the Vietnamese Assemblywoman did make several comments about China including jokingly at one stage mentioning that proposed exercises with Australia would be an exercuse in being able to quote unquote "storm across the border to the underbelly of China". I can ensure you that the proposed exercises, which are probably not going to happen now as the relationship with Vietnam has become strained, will not be an exercise in any planned invasion of China. Our intentions were never to plan it in that matter and this was merely a proposal by the Vietnamese Assemblywoman that I believe my Minister skimmed past or chose to ignore in order to not offend the Vietnamese in that sensitive diplomatic meeting. Those proposed exercises were to test both of our nations ability to respond to issues arising in the Indo-Pacific, ranging from terrorist attacks, humanitarian disasters and disruptions to global trade. While Australia's concerns regarding CIS activities in the Indo-Pacific were raised during that meeting, we do not generalise every member of CIS based on the actions of a few. We have enormous respect for China and personally, I believe they are the most peaceful and meaningful nation in the CIS-aligned bloc. You have caused minimal trouble and have made many strides for peace including the South China Sea agreement with the previous Vietnamese administration which we praise. Any proposal by the current Vietnamese administration to paint your nation in a negative light is met with condemnation by my government as China has made no indication of being deserving of a negative image. We do not believe, contrary to what the Vietnamese believe, that every member of the CIS-aligned bloc must suddenly be treated like an enemy for merely being aligned with that bloc. We are all individual nations capable of making individual choices and while we hold concerns for the choices that your close partners, Argentina, have made in the South Pacific and South Indian Oceans, we do not believe China has made any similar choices and is therefore not deserving of the image painted by the Vietnamese Assemblywoman. I ask that you personally reach out to the Vietnamese President and ask him for his view on the Assemblywoman's comments because it is possible that she is let's say, a "rogue" diplomat and that what she said while running her mouth is not reflective of the view of the Vietnamese Government. I sincerely apologise if my Minister's presence in the meeting or lack of speaking out against the Assemblywoman's comment has caused any offence within the Chinese Government and I hope this matter does not put any strain on our relationship, a relationship which we wholeheartedly believe in strengthening. Take this as my formal invitation to invite you for a state visit "Down Under" to Australia so we may look to strengthening our relationship. Yours Sincerely, The Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP Prime Minister of Australia 8 February 2014 |
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CLASSIFICATION LEVELS |
Type of Information: | Unclassified Information | Unclassified Information | Sensitive Information | Security Classified Information (Encrypted) | Security Classified Information (Encrypted) | Security Classified Information (Encrypted) |
Classification Level: | UNOFFICIAL | OFFICIAL | OFFICIAL: Sensitive | PROTECTED | SECRET | TOP SECRET |
Impact: | No Business Impact | Low Business Impact | Low to Medium Business Impact | High Business Impact | Extreme Business Impact | Catastrophic Business Impact |
Description: | This information does not form part of official duty | This is the majority of routine information created or processed by the public sector | Limited damage to an individual, organisation or government generally if compromised | Damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals | Serious damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals | Exceptionally grave damage to the national interest, organisations or individuals |