Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING12531
2006-06-15 11:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

JUNE 15 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN/SCO SUMMIT,

Tags:  PREL PARM PHUM ASEC CH IR 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHBJ #2531/01 1661117
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 151117Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9144
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA IMMEDIATE 0119
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 1172
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA IMMEDIATE 0982
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 BEIJING 012531 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM PHUM ASEC CH IR
SUBJECT: JUNE 15 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN/SCO SUMMIT,
U.S. CITIZEN SECURITY RISK, E.O. 13382 DESIGNATION,
SIX-PARTY TALKS, JAPAN, UN ARMS REGISTER, ZHAO YAN,
AFRICA, PANAMA

REF: FBIS 20060615053036

Summary
-------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 BEIJING 012531

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM PHUM ASEC CH IR
SUBJECT: JUNE 15 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN/SCO SUMMIT,
U.S. CITIZEN SECURITY RISK, E.O. 13382 DESIGNATION,
SIX-PARTY TALKS, JAPAN, UN ARMS REGISTER, ZHAO YAN,
AFRICA, PANAMA

REF: FBIS 20060615053036

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


1. Key points made at the June 15 MFA press briefing
are as follows:

-- Iranian President Ahmadinejad's remarks at the June
15 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit
reflected only Iran's position.

-- Beijing welcomes Iran's willingness to negotiate
with relevant parties to resolve the nuclear issue and
hopes Tehran will respond positively to the package it
has been offered.

-- The Chinese Government attaches great importance to
and is investigating reports from the U.S. Embassy on
security risks to U.S. citizens.

-- The U.S. Government's freezing of four Chinese
companies' assets was "unreasonable and irresponsible"
and undermined U.S.-China nonproliferation
cooperation.

-- The Six-Party Talks have been at an impasse for the
past six months.

-- China hopes Japanese leaders can remove the
obstacles to bilateral relations and return relations
to a normal track.

-- While China attaches importance to the UN Register
on Conventional Arms, Beijing suspended its
participation in the Register after some countries
used it to record arm sales to Taiwan.

-- NY Times Researcher Zhao Yan is currently being
tried, the MFA spokesperson said without elaborating.

-- China's cooperation with Angola helps to promote
the African nation's economic and social development.

-- The Taiwan issue is the only factor hindering the
development of China-Panama relations.

-- President Wade of Senegal will visit China June 21-

26. End Summary.

Ahmadinejad's Remarks at SCO Reflect Iran's Position
-------------- --------------


2. The June 15 MFA press briefing was dominated by
correspondents' questions on the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) Summit in Shanghai June 15 and
particularly Iranian President Ahmadinejad's
participation in the event. Asked by the Bloomberg
correspondent about Ahmadinejad's reported call for
strengthening SCO cooperation to counter "domineering
powers"(Ref A),MFA Spokesperson Jiang Yu asserted

that Ahmadinejad's remarks reflected only Iran's
position. She argued that the SCO is an important
force for maintaining regional as well as world peace
and stability. The SCO does not target any third
party nor support confrontation. The organization has
made significant contributions to peace, stability and
the democratization of international relations, Jiang
remarked. Asked whether China would accept Iran's
reported invitation for SCO leaders to meet in Tehran,
Jiang asserted that SCO members will study the various
proposals raised at the Summit, adding that such
decisions will be based on consensus within the SCO.


3. Questioned about the anticipated discussion of the
Iran nuclear issue during President Hu Jintao's
bilateral meeting with Ahmadinejad, Jiang reported
that President Hu so far has met bilaterally with his
Kazakh, Tajik and Uzbek counterparts, adding that they
have signed several agreements. Beijing advocates a
peaceful resolution to the Iran nuclear issue and
welcomes Iran's willingness to negotiate with relevant
parties to achieve a resolution. Jiang expressed the
hope that Tehran will respond positively to the

BEIJING 00012531 002 OF 004


package it has been offered and that all the parties
will make positive efforts. Asked to confirm whether
Iran's oil minister accompanied Ahmadinejad to the
Summit, Jiang said she was unaware of any specific oil
agreements signed with Iran but that energy
cooperation is a component of normal China-Iran
economic relations. Bilateral trade reached USD 10.1
billion in 2005 and was comprised mainly of
transportation, communication and electricity
projects. On the topic of new SCO membership, she
maintained that the SCO currently lacks the legal
foundation for absorbing new members and current
members are studying how to better integrate observer
states into the SCO framework.


4. Responding to the Xinhua reporter's general
question on the Summit, Jiang Yu noted that Summit
participants summarized the SCO's achievements and
planned for its future development. In his speech,
President Hu positively assessed the SCO's role in
consolidating good neighborly relations and promoting
regional peace and economic development. He called on
the SCO to continue promoting economic cooperation,
peaceful development and cultural exchanges. Summit
participants released a joint declaration, a statement
on international information security, several
decisions on strengthening the SCO's internal
structure and a joint press communique. Officials
signed security, economic, trade and education
agreements. Jiang remarked that the establishment of
the business committee at the Summit will help
facilitate direct exchanges between entrepreneurs from
SCO countries and strengthen regional economic
cooperation.

China Investigating U.S. Embassy Threat Reports
-------------- --


5. Asked by the Reuters correspondent about the U.S.
Embassy's warning of a heightened security risk to
U.S. citizens in China, Jiang asserted that China
firmly opposes terrorism in any form. The Chinese
Government attaches great importance to these reports
and is making efforts to investigate them. China will
adopt strong measures to protect foreign, including
U.S., institutions and personnel, she stated.

"No Evidence" to Support Designation under E.O. 13382
-------------- --------------


6. Asked about the U.S. designation of four Chinese
companies as supporters of weapons proliferation
activities, Jiang alleged that the U.S. Government did
not provide any evidence to justify freezing the
assets of the four companies, and she specifically
named the China Great Wall Industry Corporation
(CGWIC). Arguing that the decision was "unreasonable
and irresponsible," she asserted that the U.S. move
undermined U.S.-China nonproliferation cooperation and
will not help bilateral relations. China calls on the
United States to abandon its "wrong practice" of
sanctions or pressure. Jiang said Beijing is firmly
opposed to the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction and does not allow any firm or individual
to support or engage in proliferation activities.
China will handle violators of its nonproliferation
policy or export controls according to the law. China
will implement its nonproliferation commitments and
continue international cooperation in this area on the
basis of equality and mutual respect.

Six-Party Talks are at an Impasse
--------------


7. Noting media reports highlighted by the AFP
correspondent about North Korean plans to launch
intercontinental ballistic missiles, Jiang remarked
that the Six-Party Talks have been at an impasse over
the past six months. The parties should demonstrate
flexibility and pragmatism, while increasing trust and
overcoming difficulties. Such moves would help the
parties implement the Joint Statement, resume the Six-
Party Talks quickly and generate progress during the
Talks.

BEIJING 00012531 003 OF 004



Japan Should Remove Obstacles to Bilateral Ties
-------------- --


8. Asked about President Hu's reported June 10
statement to Japanese Ambassador Miyamoto suggesting
the possibility of a visit to Japan, Jiang responded
that President Hu has stressed that the two countries
should live together in peace and pursue common
development. China hopes Japan will remove the
obstacles and return China-Japan relations to the
normal track of development. Jiang expressed the hope
that Tokyo will recognize Beijing's sincere attitude
toward improving relations. President Hu's remarks on
China-Japan relations have been consistent.

China Stopped UN Arms Registration Due to Taiwan Sales
-------------- --------------


9. While China attaches importance to the UN Register
on Conventional Arms, Beijing temporarily suspended
its participation in the Register after some countries
used it to record arm sales to Taiwan, Jiang remarked
when asked about Amnesty International's criticism of
China's failure to submit data to the Register over
the past eight years. She argued that such sales
contravene the spirit of the UN Register on
Conventional Arms. China will resume its
participation in the program once countries cease
these practices.

Zhao Yan's Trial, Attack on Three Gorges Activist
-------------- --------------


10. Asked about the upcoming trial of New York Times
researcher Zhao Yan, Jiang only remarked that the case
is currently being tried. Questioned about the
reported attack on activist Fu Xiancai after
criticizing the Three Gorges project in an interview
with the German press, Jiang stated that the Chinese
authorities are investigating the incident and will
handle the case according to the law. The individual
was given immediate treatment for his injuries, she
said.

Premier Wen's Visit to Angola, China-Africa Relations
-------------- --------------


11. Premier Wen Jiabao will visit Angola as part of
his June 17-24 tour of seven African countries, Jiang
noted. Asked about international criticism of energy
contracts China and Angola have reportedly signed, she
said China has increased oil imports in recent years
in order to meet growing domestic demand. Most of
China's imports of Angolan oil are purchased from
international markets. China's cooperation with
Angola helps to promote the African nation's economic
and social development and is mutually beneficial.
Emphasizing the role of the China-African Cooperation
Forum in building mutual trust, Jiang noted that
African leaders have responded positively to Beijing's
invitation to attend the China-African Cooperation
Forum Summit in November. Since the establishment of
the Forum, China has forgiven 10.5 billion RMB in debt
owed by 31 African nations and has offered assistance
without any "strings attached."

Beijing Willing to Normalize Relations with Panama
-------------- --------------


12. While Jiang said she had no knowledge of plans
for a large-scale China-Panama project, asked about by
the Spanish News Agency correspondent, she stressed
that the Taiwan issue is the only factor hindering the
development of China-Panama relations. In addition to
the establishment of reciprocal trade offices in 1996,
the two countries maintain frequent personnel
exchanges and are expanding trade cooperation.
"People of vision" in Panama understand that forging
diplomatic ties with China will benefit their country.
Beijing is prepared to normalize relations with
Panama.

Senegal President's Visit

BEIJING 00012531 004 OF 004


--------------


13. Jiang announced that President Wade of Senegal
will visit China June 21-26.
RANDT