Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING14723
2006-07-13 10:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

JULY 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK MISSILE

Tags:  PREL PHUM CH KN IR 
pdf how-to read a cable
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ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 131044Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1641
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1397
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2910
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 3823
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 3875
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0898
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 014723 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM CH KN IR
SUBJECT: JULY 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK MISSILE
LAUNCHES, CHINA-RUSSIA UNSC RESOLUTION, G-8 OUTREACH
MEETING

Summary
-------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 014723

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM CH KN IR
SUBJECT: JULY 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK MISSILE
LAUNCHES, CHINA-RUSSIA UNSC RESOLUTION, G-8 OUTREACH
MEETING

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


1. Key points made at the July 13 MFA press briefing
are as follows:

-- On DPRK, China's response is governed by three
objectives: to reduce tension and maintain peace and
stability on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia,
to promote the solidarity of the UNSC and to encourage
prompt resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

-- The China-Russia jointly-sponsored draft UNSC
resolution is conducive to the three objectives but
the Japanese-sponsored draft is not. China hopes that
the UNSC can reach consensus on its draft.

-- Vice Premier Hui Liangyu and Vice Foreign Minister
Wu Dawei are currently in Pyongyang and will return to
China as scheduled on July 15. Discussions between
China and the DPRK, both in Beijing and Pyongyang are
still on-going.

-- China has not been involved in discussions
concerning five-nation talks which would exclude the
DPRK.

-- The package plan that the EU's Javier Solana
presented to Iran in June is an important effort.
China hopes Iran will have an appropriate and
constructive response to this plan that will lead to
the early resumption of talks.

-- China and the United States will meet on the side-
lines of the G-8 Outreach meeting in St. Petersburg.

-- China is firm that the next UN Secretary General be
from Asia.

-- China believes the United States should handle the
prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay in line with
international law.

-- The Chinese MFA regular press briefings will be
suspended for the summer and resume September 5.

End Summary.

DPRK Missile Launches
--------------


2. During the regular July 13 press briefing, Foreign
Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu answered questions
about China's response to the DPRK's July 4/5 missile
launches. Questions focused on the China-Russia draft
UNSC resolution, A/S Hill's comments concerning the
lack of cooperation from the DPRK, China's current
negotiation efforts in Beijing and Pyongyang and the
possibility of resuming Six-Party Talks.


3. In response, Jiang repeatedly referred to China's
three objectives: to reduce tension and maintain peace
and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast

Asia, to promote the solidarity of the UNSC and to
encourage prompt resumption of the Six-Party Talks.
Jiang would not comment on A/S Hill's comments
concerning lack of progress in his discussions with
DPRK, instead focusing on the fact that Chinese
negotiation efforts in Pyongyang and Beijing are still
ongoing. The spokesperson would not speculate on the
time frame for possible resumption of Six-Party Talks,
responding instead that a few visits and the efforts
of China alone are not enough; joint efforts of all
parties are required.


4. In response to a question, Jiang said she had not
heard any discussions about five-nation talks that
would exclude the DPRK. The Six-Party Talks is an
effective and pragmatic vehicle through which to
denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and China remains
committed to this process.


5. When asked why China had originally opposed any
action in the UNSC but was now putting forth its own

BEIJING 00014723 002 OF 002


draft resolution, Jiang responded that the China-
Russia draft resolution presents China and Russia's
constructive ideas. The Japanese-sponsored draft
resolution is not conducive to obtaining the three
objectives. The UNSC should give a prudent and well-
measured response to the situation. China hopes that
with its draft resolution, the UNSC can reach
consensus on an appropriate response.


6. Responding to a question about China's next step,
Jiang replied that discussions between China and the
DPRK, both in Beijing and Pyongyang, are still on-
going. Vice Premier Hui Liangyu and Vice Foreign
Minister Wu Dawei are currently in Pyongyang and will
return to China as scheduled on July 15. VFM Wu Dawei
met with Kim Kye-Gwan, DPRK Six-Party Talk negotiator.


7. A reporter stated that it appeared the United
States believes negotiation with the DPRK is hopeless,
but China appears to have greater hope in its own
negotiations with the DPRK. Jiang replied that both
China and the United States stand for peaceful
resolution and early resumption of the Six-Party
Talks.

Iran
--------------


8. Dodging a reference to China's about face on the
question of UNSC action against Iran, Jiang stated the
package plan that the EU's Javier Solana presented to
Iran in June is an important effort. China hopes Iran
will have an appropriate and constructive response to
this plan that will lead to the early resumption of
talks.

G-8
--------------


9. Responding to a question about China's
participation at the G-8 Outreach Meeting in St.
Petersburg July 16-17, Jiang stated that although the
DPRK is not on the agenda, the issue would likely be
discussed on the sidelines and at the more informal
sessions. She stated that China and the United States
will meet on the sidelines to discuss issues of mutual
interest. Regarding China's prospects for membership
in the G-8, she said China is still a developing
country and in interested in strengthening contact and
dialogue with the G-8.

UN Secretary General from Asia
--------------


10. China is firm that the next UN Secretary General
be from Asia.

Prisoners in Guantanamo
--------------


11. In response to a question about a recent report
about prisoners in Guantanamo Bay, Jiang said China
took note of the report and attaches importance to the
Geneva Convention. China believes the United States
should also attach importance to it and handle the
prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay in line with
international law.

Suspension of Regular Press Briefings
--------------


12. Due to the summer holidays, the regular Tuesday
and Thursday press briefings will be suspended and
will resume on September 5.
RANDT