: A/S HILL VISIT, DPRK NUCLEAR TEST AND KIM

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 018905

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC CH KN
SUBJECT: : A/S HILL VISIT, DPRK NUCLEAR TEST AND KIM
JONG-IL RUMORS, LEBANON, IRAN, CHINESE AT GITMO,
SINO-ZAMBIA RELATIONS, WHO CANDIDATE, GM RICE AND NAM SUMMIT


1. Key points made at the September 7 MFA press briefing
are as follows:

-- A/S Hill's meetings with VFM Wu Dawei and AFM Cui Tiankai
focused on how to break the impasse and resume the Six-Party
Talks process.

-- All parties should avoid actions that would escalate
tensions over a possible DPRK nuclear test.

-- China continues to oppose economic sanctions on the DPRK.
China will provide an unspecified amount of flood aid to
North Korea.

-- Beijing will inform the public "at the appropriate time"
of any visit by Kim Jong-Il and the spokesman refused to
confirm or deny a current visit.

-- China will maintain its engineering corps in Lebanon and
is studying whether to increase its troop commitment to
UNIFIL.

- China advocates peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear
issue.

-- China "requires" the United States to repatriate Chinese
nationals detained at GITMO and notes international concern
over secret detention centers.

-- China will not cut diplomatic ties nor suspend investment
should Zambian opposition leader Michael Sata win the
presidency.

-- Beijing supports the nomination of Margaret Chan as
Director General of WHO.

-- Beijing notes EU concerns over genetically modified rice
and produces no such grain for commercial consumption.

-- VM for Latin America Yang Jiechi will attend the 14th
Summit of the Non-Alignment Movement in Havana, Cuba,
September 15-16.

A/S Hill Visit, Six Party Talks
--------------


2. A/S Hill's meetings with VFM Wu Dawei and AFM Cui Tiankai
focused on how to break the impasse and resume the Six-Party
Talks, MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang said at the September 7
regular press briefing. Responding to repeated questioning
on the purpose of A/S Hill's September 5-6 visit to Beijing,
Qin reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to the Six-Party Talks
process as the most pragmatic and effective mechanism to
achieve peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.


3. Questioned about UN Resolution 1695, Qin stated that 1695
supports both the "peaceful" solution to the North Korean
issue. China continues to oppose economic sanctions on the
DPRK. Qin said Beijing will provide "a certain amount" of
assistance to the North Korean flood zone, but did not
specify the amount.

DPRK Nuclear Test, Kim Jong-Il Visit Rumors
--------------


4. When asked about reports the DPRK will soon conduct a
nuclear test, Qin said Beijing reaffirms its position that
all parties should remain calm, exercise restraint, show
flexibility and avoid taking actions that would escalate the
dispute.


5. Questioned several times whether Kim Jong Il, or other
high-level DPRK officials were currently in China, Qin
remained evasive. Beijing and Pyongyang share a traditional
friendship and have many exchanges at all levels, Qin said.
Beijing has taken note of the reports and will inform the
public "at the appropriate time" of any such visits, he
stated.

Lebanon Resolution
--------------


6. Despite the adoption of UNSC resolution 1701, the
ceasefire in Lebanon is still fragile, Qin said. The urgent
task is to strengthen and quickly deploy the UN peace keeping
mission, he stated. China will maintain its engineering
corps and is studying whether to increase its troop
commitments to the region, he added.

BEIJING 00018905 002 OF 002



Iranian Nuclear Issue
--------------


7. China advocates peaceful resolution of the Iranian
nuclear issue through negotiation and dialogue, Qin answered
when asked about Russia's possible agreement with the U.S.
Statement on Iran.

CIA Jails and GITMO Detainees
--------------


8. China has taken note of the international concern over
the CIA's reported use of secret detention facilities, Qin
said. China firmly opposes international terrorism but
believes that the UN Charter and international law should be
followed, he said. China and the United States enjoy good
anti-terrorism cooperation and communication, he added.
Pressed for further details on whether Chinese nationals are
detained in CIA facilities, Qin said that China "requires"
the United States to repatriate any Chinese detained at GITMO.

Sino-Zambian Relations
--------------


9. Qin denied that China would cut diplomatic ties with
Zambia should Zambian opposition leader Michael Sata win the
presidency. Qin also denied that Chinese firms will suspend
investment in the country. China and Zambia enjoy friendly
relations and the Zambian government adheres to the one-China
policy, Qin stated, when asked about Sata's comments that
Taiwan was a "sovereign state." Asked about working
conditions in Chinese-run factories in Zambia, Qin stated
that Chinese businesses operated according to law and had a
positive and conducive role in the livelihoods of many
Zambians.

WHO nomination
--------------


10. Qin affirmed Beijing's support for the nomination of
Margaret Chan as Director General of the World Health
Organization, responding that her considerable experience,
qualifications and achievements make her an excellent
candidate for the position.

Genetically Modified Rice
--------------


11. China has taken note of a report suggesting the EU might
ban genetically modified Chinese rice, Qin said. All such
agricultural experiments are conducted according to the law,
he said. To date, no genetically modified rice is being
produced for commercial consumption, he added.

Visits
--------------

12. VM in charge of Latin America Yang Jiechi will attend
the 14th Summit of the Non-Alignment Movement in Havana, Cuba
September 15-16.
RANDT