Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING10192
2006-05-25 10:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
CHINA'S MAY 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: A/S HILL'S
how-toVZCZCXRO7325 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH DE RUEHBJ #0192/01 1451007 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 251007Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6514 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 0295 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0931
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 010192
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS CH JP KN
SUBJECT: CHINA'S MAY 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: A/S HILL'S
BEIJING MEETINGS, SIX-PARTY TALKS, MILITARY POWER REPORT,
CHINA-JAPAN FM MEETING
BEIJING 00010192 001.2 OF 002
Summary
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 010192
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS CH JP KN
SUBJECT: CHINA'S MAY 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: A/S HILL'S
BEIJING MEETINGS, SIX-PARTY TALKS, MILITARY POWER REPORT,
CHINA-JAPAN FM MEETING
BEIJING 00010192 001.2 OF 002
Summary
--------------
1. Key points made at the May 25 MFA press briefing
are as follows:
-- EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher Hill met with
VFM Yang Jiechi and VFM Wu Dawei to discuss
implementing consensus reached in the April 2006 Bush-
Hu meetings and in the Fourth Round of Six-Party
Talks.
-- Accusations that China's military budget is non-
transparent are unacceptable. China seeks to
strengthen mutual trust with other countries regarding
its budget and shares broad interests with the United
States.
-- Japanese leaders' visits to the Yasukuni Shrine are
the major obstacle to improved Sino-Japanese
relations. The Doha meeting of FM Li and FM Aso
reached agreement on removing obstacles and FM Aso is
an "important colleague."
-- East Timor President Gusmao's planned visit to
Beijing has been postponed.
-- Ecuador Foreign Minister Carrion will visit China
May 31-June 6.
End Summary.
A/S Hill discusses Bush-Hu summit, Six-Party Talks
-------------- --------------
2. EAP A/S Christopher Hill met with EVFM Yang Jiechi
and VFM Wu Dawei today in Beijing, MFA Spokesperson
Liu Jianchao stated during his regular May 25 press
briefing. A/S Hill's meeting with Yang focused on
implementing agreements reached between President Bush
and Chinese President Hu during Hu's April 2006 visit
to Washington. A/S Hill's meeting with VFM Wu lasted
four hours, including a working lunch and the two
sides exchanged views on denuclearization of the
Korean Peninsula.
3. Liu said that A/S Hill and Wu agreed that the
consensus reached at the Fourth Round of Six-Party
Talks should be implemented as soon as possible; that
a peace mechanism for the Peninsula should be
established and that denuclearization serves the
interests of all Parties. China will continue its
positive efforts to break the impasse, based on
Beijing's desire to maintain peace, stability and
development in North East Asia.
4. Beijing rejects foreign comments that China is not
doing enough to move the Talks forward and is seeking
only to enhance its self-interest, Liu declared. The
PRC hopes the principal Parties concerned will
cooperate positively with China's efforts.
Response to CMPR: Strengthen Trust, Reject Allegations
-------------- --------------
5. Asked by UPI for detailed responses to the China
Military Power Report (CMPR),Liu referred to his May
24 statement but added that China takes a "responsible
attitude" toward its military budget and wishes to
strengthen trust, exchanges and cooperation with other
countries, including the United States, on military
budget issues. Claims that the PRC military budget is
"non-transparent" are unacceptable, Liu added. U.S.-
China relations should be cooperative and
comprehensive, reflecting broad shared interests on
bilateral and international issues. The PRC is not at
a "strategic crossroads" but follows the path of
peaceful development, according to Liu. China does
not have a "U.S. threat theory" and seeks a
cooperative and constructive partnership with the
United States.
6. Pressed by Global Radio News to comment on whom
China is defending against and to explain its Taiwan
Strait build-up, Liu stated that China is has a vast
territory with long borders. The PRC will maintain
its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
BEIJING 00010192 002.2 OF 002
China-Japan Foreign Ministers' Doha Meeting
--------------
7. During Talks in Doha with Japan FM Taro Aso, FM Li
Zhaoxing emphasized China's position on the Yasukuni
Shrine, Liu said. Japanese leaders' visits to the
shrine are the major obstacle to improved Sino-
Japanese relations. The shrine issue is a question of
importance and cannot be bypassed or sidelined. Li's
meeting with Aso reached agreement on removing
obstacles to the relationship and Aso is an "important
colleague" in the process of improvement in Sino-Japan
ties.
Iran
--------------
8. Asked by AFP about reports in Europe
characterizing China as an obstacle to resolution of
the Iran nuclear issue, Liu said he had not seen the
reports but that China would not accept criticism of
its role. Beijing upholds the international
nonproliferation regime and is not pursuing its own
interests with Iran, Liu stated.
Status of Foreign Visits
--------------
9. East Timor President Gusmao's planned visit to
Beijing has been postponed due to the situation in
East Timor. Ecuador FM Carrion will visit China May
31-June 6.
RANDT
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINS CH JP KN
SUBJECT: CHINA'S MAY 25 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: A/S HILL'S
BEIJING MEETINGS, SIX-PARTY TALKS, MILITARY POWER REPORT,
CHINA-JAPAN FM MEETING
BEIJING 00010192 001.2 OF 002
Summary
--------------
1. Key points made at the May 25 MFA press briefing
are as follows:
-- EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher Hill met with
VFM Yang Jiechi and VFM Wu Dawei to discuss
implementing consensus reached in the April 2006 Bush-
Hu meetings and in the Fourth Round of Six-Party
Talks.
-- Accusations that China's military budget is non-
transparent are unacceptable. China seeks to
strengthen mutual trust with other countries regarding
its budget and shares broad interests with the United
States.
-- Japanese leaders' visits to the Yasukuni Shrine are
the major obstacle to improved Sino-Japanese
relations. The Doha meeting of FM Li and FM Aso
reached agreement on removing obstacles and FM Aso is
an "important colleague."
-- East Timor President Gusmao's planned visit to
Beijing has been postponed.
-- Ecuador Foreign Minister Carrion will visit China
May 31-June 6.
End Summary.
A/S Hill discusses Bush-Hu summit, Six-Party Talks
-------------- --------------
2. EAP A/S Christopher Hill met with EVFM Yang Jiechi
and VFM Wu Dawei today in Beijing, MFA Spokesperson
Liu Jianchao stated during his regular May 25 press
briefing. A/S Hill's meeting with Yang focused on
implementing agreements reached between President Bush
and Chinese President Hu during Hu's April 2006 visit
to Washington. A/S Hill's meeting with VFM Wu lasted
four hours, including a working lunch and the two
sides exchanged views on denuclearization of the
Korean Peninsula.
3. Liu said that A/S Hill and Wu agreed that the
consensus reached at the Fourth Round of Six-Party
Talks should be implemented as soon as possible; that
a peace mechanism for the Peninsula should be
established and that denuclearization serves the
interests of all Parties. China will continue its
positive efforts to break the impasse, based on
Beijing's desire to maintain peace, stability and
development in North East Asia.
4. Beijing rejects foreign comments that China is not
doing enough to move the Talks forward and is seeking
only to enhance its self-interest, Liu declared. The
PRC hopes the principal Parties concerned will
cooperate positively with China's efforts.
Response to CMPR: Strengthen Trust, Reject Allegations
-------------- --------------
5. Asked by UPI for detailed responses to the China
Military Power Report (CMPR),Liu referred to his May
24 statement but added that China takes a "responsible
attitude" toward its military budget and wishes to
strengthen trust, exchanges and cooperation with other
countries, including the United States, on military
budget issues. Claims that the PRC military budget is
"non-transparent" are unacceptable, Liu added. U.S.-
China relations should be cooperative and
comprehensive, reflecting broad shared interests on
bilateral and international issues. The PRC is not at
a "strategic crossroads" but follows the path of
peaceful development, according to Liu. China does
not have a "U.S. threat theory" and seeks a
cooperative and constructive partnership with the
United States.
6. Pressed by Global Radio News to comment on whom
China is defending against and to explain its Taiwan
Strait build-up, Liu stated that China is has a vast
territory with long borders. The PRC will maintain
its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
BEIJING 00010192 002.2 OF 002
China-Japan Foreign Ministers' Doha Meeting
--------------
7. During Talks in Doha with Japan FM Taro Aso, FM Li
Zhaoxing emphasized China's position on the Yasukuni
Shrine, Liu said. Japanese leaders' visits to the
shrine are the major obstacle to improved Sino-
Japanese relations. The shrine issue is a question of
importance and cannot be bypassed or sidelined. Li's
meeting with Aso reached agreement on removing
obstacles to the relationship and Aso is an "important
colleague" in the process of improvement in Sino-Japan
ties.
Iran
--------------
8. Asked by AFP about reports in Europe
characterizing China as an obstacle to resolution of
the Iran nuclear issue, Liu said he had not seen the
reports but that China would not accept criticism of
its role. Beijing upholds the international
nonproliferation regime and is not pursuing its own
interests with Iran, Liu stated.
Status of Foreign Visits
--------------
9. East Timor President Gusmao's planned visit to
Beijing has been postponed due to the situation in
East Timor. Ecuador FM Carrion will visit China May
31-June 6.
RANDT