JULY 6 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK MISSILE LAUNCHES,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 014216 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM CH KN IS SUBJECT: JULY 6 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK MISSILE LAUNCHES, ISRAEL, UNSYG SELECTION ¶1. Key points made at the July 6 MFA press briefing are as follows: -- On DPRK, China expresses grave concern over "what happened" and remains in close consultation with all relevant parties. China hopes that all relevant parties will remain calm and exercise restraint, proceed toward the common goal of peace and stability in Northeast Asia and not take any actions that will cause further tension. -- China had nothing to do with the DPRK missile launches. China refuses to state whether it can independently verify the DPRK launched missiles on July 4/5. -- China has no plans to cut off aid to the DPRK "so far." China is an actively participating in United Nations Security Council consultations, which China hopes will produce "helpful" results and not further escalate tensions. -- China hopes for an early resumption of the Six- Party Talks. -- China calls on Israel to end its blockade of Gaza and calls on the Palestinians to release their hostage. -- China will support a UNSYG candidate from Asia. DPRK Missile Launches -------------- ¶2. During the regular July 6 press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu responded to a barrage of questions on the DPRK's July 4/5 missile launches by doggedly sticking to her guidance: China expresses grave concern and remains in close consultation with all relevant parties. China hopes that all relevant parties will remain calm and exercise restraint, proceed toward the common goal of peace and stability in Northeast Asia and not take any actions that will cause further tension. China will continue to work with relevant parties in its unremitting efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region. Through experience, China believes dialogue and consultation is the proper way to address problems. China is playing a mediation role and promotes the Six-Party Talks. The Six-Party Talks have been stalled for six months and China is in consultation with the relevant parties to break the impasse and resume negotiations. The basic principle and departure point for China is that peace and stability for the Korean peninsula should be achieved through dialogue and consultation, which serves the common interest of all parties concerned. In this regard, China sides with the international community. China is willing to develop friendly relations with all countries. China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors and China has developed good relations with all neighboring countries. ¶3. A sampling of the pointed questions from journalists that prompted Jiang to repeatedly rehash her guidance: How do the missile launches reflect on Sino-DPRK relations? Is China doing enough to encourage DPRK to refrain from provocative acts? Does China not agree the DPRK missile launches were provocations? Why does China not condemn the missile launches? Will China support sanctions? Did the DPRK cause China to lose face, given that Premier Wen Jiabao and others last week called for the DPRK not to launch missiles? How can China project power if it cannot take care of its own backyard? Has there been any damage to Sino-DPRK relations? Will China take any tough actions? What of A/S Hill's statement that China needs to be firm? Are tensions escalating in the region? What is China's role with the DPRK? Does China have a special relationship with the DPRK? Would China accept Japan increasing its missile defense capabilities? Is China's role still relevant for the DPRK issue? ¶4. Answering UPI's questions, Jiang refused to confirm that China has independently verified that DPRK launched any missiles. She refused to be drawn out on what, exactly, China is "gravely concerned" about, other than to emphasize China is gravely concerned BEIJING 00014216 002 OF 003 over "what happened." Jiang said the DPRK missile launches have no relation whatsoever to China. Jiang repeated this answer when queried by other news organizations whether more DPRK missile launches can be expected. When asked, Jiang said she did not know when asked how many nuclear weapons the DPRK has. ¶5. Journalists pursued a line of questions designed to assess where China places blame for the current tensions, asking: Is it China's position that U.S. sanctions are responsible for the missile launches? Can the MFA confirm that VFM Wu Dawei remarked that U.S. sanctions precipitated the DPRK's actions? Is Wu Dawei's position China's position? Does Washington need to do more to ease tensions? Which country is responsible for the current tensions? Which countries would China like to see remain calm? What if the United States or others used force to pre-empt further missile launches? In response, Jiang said all countries are responsible for making efforts for peace and stability. All parties should keep calm and not escalate tensions. Asked whether the DPRK has a right to launch missile tests, Jiang said, without elaboration, that China made its position clear publicly on July 5. ¶6. Asked whether the Six-Party Talks are dead, Jiang said China is making active efforts to promote the Six-Party Talks. Everyone knows the reason the Six- Party Talks have been suspended for six months. China hopes for an early resumption of the talks. Through dialogue and consultation the parties should strive for new progress. Asked China's position on the utility of bilateral talks between the DPRK and the United States, Jiang said the Six-Party Talks are an effective way to resolve tensions through dialogue and China makes unremitting efforts to support that process. As a multilateral forum, the Six-Party Talks provide opportunities for bilateral contact. The Six- Party Talks' September 2005 joint statement represents an achievement for the most recent stage of the Six- Party Talks and all parties should adhere to the objectives expressed therein and make progress through dialogue. ¶7. Asked whether China consulted with the DPRK subsequent to the missile launches, and specifically whether someone from the MFA met with the DPRK Ambassador to China, Jiang said China is in close consultation with all parties concerned. Asked whether the United States asked China to convey a message to the DPRK, Jiang said FM Li Zhaoxing exchanged views with Secretary Rice on July 5 and they agreed to stay in contact. A/S Hill will arrive in Beijing July 7 to strengthen bilateral consultations on relevant issues for peace and stability. FM Li also spoke with the Japanese, South Korean and Australian foreign ministers, Jiang noted. ¶8. Asked to provide insight into Vice Premier Hui Liangyu's planned trip to DPRK, Jiang said the purpose of the July 10-15 trip is to celebrate the forty-fifth anniversary of the Sino-DPRK friendship and cooperation agreement. There are no plans to alter the agreement, signed in 1961. The DPRK will send a concurrent delegation to China led by the Vice Premier of the Supreme People's Presidium, July 11-15. There are no changes to previously announced arrangements. When asked, Jiang said she had no information as to whether China is strengthening security along the DPRK border. ¶9. Asked to comment on possible United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions or other actions, Jiang said China takes a responsible attitude and has joined UNSC consultations. The UNSC should craft a helpful response that will ease tensions and maintain peace and stability. China is consulting with other UNSC members on the form and content of the UNSC response. ¶10. Asked if China will consider cutting off aid to the DPRK, Jiang said China has no plans "so far" to cut off aid to the DPRK. China and the United States have been staying in close contact on the Six-Party Talks. China is willing to make joint efforts with the United States for the early resumption of the Six- Party Talks. Asked China's position on regime change BEIJING 00014216 003 OF 003 in the DPRK, Jiang responded China supports the principle of peaceful coexistence and non-interference in internal affairs. PRC Mum On Taiwan -------------- ¶11. Asked about the regional implications of the DPRK missile launches, and specifically the signal it might send to Taiwan or other countries about missile tests, Jiang said she was not in a position to answer questions on cross-strait relations. Israel-Palestine Conflict -------------- ¶12. Asked by the Turkish press for China's position on the situation in Gaza, Jiang said China has grave concern and uneasiness over recent developments. China calls on Israel to break its blockade at an early date, stop military activities immediately and act to alleviate the situation. The Palestinians should cooperate and release their hostage. China hopes the international community can work together to push both sides back to the negotiating table. China Wants UNSYG From Asia -------------- ¶13. The China Daily asked whether the UNSC will conduct a straw poll for UN Secretary General candidates in July. In response, Jiang said straw polls are part of the informal process within the UNSC to assess reactions to various candidates. China will support a candidate from Asia. Asia will produce a candidate with the appropriate capabilities and credentials. Sino-Indian Relations -------------- ¶14. Asked about Sino-Indian relations, Jiang said border trade opened in Nathula pursuant to China and India's 2003 agreement will contribute to the further development of bilateral economic and trade relations. PRC/Japan: East China Sea -------------- ¶15. In response to a question on the status of the East China Sea dispute, Jiang said the sixth round of talks will be held July 8 and 9. The talks will help stabilize the situation in the East China Sea, serve the two sides common interests and gradually resolve the dispute. RANDT