Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING1061
2006-01-17 11:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

JANUARY 17 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: KIM JONG-IL VISIT

Tags:  PREL PARM CH IR EU KN 
pdf how-to read a cable
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FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5909
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN 0724
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ 0346
RUEHLE/AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG 0225
RUEHBH/AMEMBASSY NASSAU 0088
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 0488
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0709
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0748
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1118
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001061 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM CH IR EU KN
SUBJECT: JANUARY 17 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: KIM JONG-IL VISIT
SPECULATION, IRAN NUCLEAR CRISIS, SIX-PARTY TALKS, HU
JINTAO U.S. VISIT, SAUDI KING ABDULLAH VISIT


Summary
-------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001061

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM CH IR EU KN
SUBJECT: JANUARY 17 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: KIM JONG-IL VISIT
SPECULATION, IRAN NUCLEAR CRISIS, SIX-PARTY TALKS, HU
JINTAO U.S. VISIT, SAUDI KING ABDULLAH VISIT


Summary
--------------


1. MFA Spokesperson Kong Quan stated that President
Hu Jintao will "meet a foreign leader" on Tuesday,
January 17, in response to repeated questioning about
the unconfirmed visit of Kim Jong-Il to China. Kong
refused to be drawn into specific comment about a
possible Kim visit, saying he had no authorized
information to share. China seeks a peaceful
resolution of the Iran nuclear crisis. As one of the
"London Six," China is concerned about Iran's position
and urges Iran to return to the negotiating table.
Kong would not specifically respond to questions about
referring Iran to the UNSC. The United States and
China have begun discussing the agenda for President
Hu Jintao's 2006 visit to the United States. The Six-
Party Talks should not be held up by complicating
factors and China is in contact with all the Parties.
The investigation of the Banco Delta Asia, under the
"one country, two systems" policy, is primarily the
responsibility of Macau authorities. King Abdullah of
Saudi Arabia will visit China January 22-24. Bahamas
Foreign Minister Frederick Mitchell will visit China
January 19-22. Luxembourg Deputy Premier and Foreign
Minister Jean Asselborn will visit China January 22-

24. Chinese Justice Minister Wu Aiying will visit La
Paz, Bolivia, as China's Special Envoy to the
inauguration of Evo Morales on January 22. Chinese
Deputy Premier Zeng Peiyan will attend the World
Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 25-29.
End Summary.

A Foreign Leader Visits Beijing
--------------


2. Asked if by NHK Japanese TV if President Hu Jintao
was meeting any foreign leaders today, MFA Spokesman
Kong Quan affirmed at the regular January 17 MFA Press
Briefing that Hu "will meet a foreign leader today."
Kong brushed aside numerous media requests for
specific confirmation of the much-reported Kim Jong-Il
visit to China, saying he had "no authorized
information to share."

Iran Nuclear Crisis
--------------


3. Asked about China's position on the Iran nuclear
crisis, Kong said it is very important to resolve the

issue diplomatically and peacefully while respecting
the interests of all parties. Kong did not
specifically respond to questions about whether China
would support referring Iran to the UNSC. He said
China would make the utmost effort for talks to resume
at an early date and reach a proper solution. China's
UN Ambassador Wang Guangya's remarks proposed ways to
address the problem and urged parties to restart
negotiations. Regarding the latest Russian proposal
to provide enriched uranium to Iran, Kong said the key
is for Iran to resume negotiations with the EU 3.
China had "very interesting" contact and consultations
during Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Safari's
January 9-10 visit to Beijing, which included meeting
with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

Hu Jintao's U.S. Visit in Planning Stages
--------------


4. Kong stated that President Hu Jintao will visit
the United States early this year. China and the
United States are holding consultations on the timing
and agenda for the visit.

The Six-Party Talks: Complicated
--------------


5. Asked about the status of the Six-Party Talks,
Kong said that the Talks should not be held up by
complicating factors. China is in contact with the

BEIJING 00001061 002 OF 002


Parties and hopes all countries will make efforts to
resume the Talks.

Banco Delta Asia
--------------


6. Asked how China views the U.S. sanctions on Banco
Delta Asia, Kong stated that under the "one country,
two systems" policy, the investigation is primarily
the responsibility of Macau authorities.

Saudi King Abdullah's Visit to China Announced
-------------- -


7. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia will visit China
January 22-24. This is the first visit by a Saudi
monarch to China since the countries established
relations in 1991. Kong noted that this will be King
Abdullah's first foreign visit since assuming the
throne. Political and energy cooperation will be
among topics discussed. China-Saudi trade volume in
2005 totaled 14 billion USD, an increase of 53 percent
over the previous year's trade volume.

Other Visits To China
--------------


8. Bahamas Minister of Foreign Affairs and Public
Service Frederick Mitchell will visit China January
19-22. Luxembourg Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister
Jean Asselborn will visit China January 22-24.

Chinese Visits Abroad
--------------


9. Chinese Justice Minister Wu Aiying will visit La
Paz, Bolivia, as China's Special Envoy to the
inauguration of Evo Morales on January 22. Chinese
Deputy Premier Zeng Peiyan will attend the World
Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 25-29.
Zeng will speak about China's economic and social
development at the Forum.
Randt