JULY 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK MISSILE

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