Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING14216
2006-07-06 11:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

JULY 6 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK MISSILE LAUNCHES,

Tags:  PREL PHUM CH KN IS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0417
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH
DE RUEHBJ #4216/01 1871103
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 061103Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1076
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 4124
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1977
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 1018
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

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