SEPTEMBER 28 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: TAIWAN ISSUES,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 020900 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM CH JP SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 28 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: TAIWAN ISSUES, VFM WU TO ROK, PEACEKEEPING IN DARFUR, OIL EXPLORATION WITH IRAQ, CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS, CHINA'S INCREASED MILITARY SPENDING, CHINA'S CORRUPTION SCANDAL, HUMAN ORGAN SALES, CHINA-ASEAN SUMMIT ¶1. Key points made at the September 28 MFA press briefing were: -- China opposes inclusion of Taiwan in the US-Japan bilateral alliance. -- China attaches great importance to improving relations with Japan. -- China welcomes Secretary Rice to visit China at a "proper time." -- China is prepared to resume and strengthen cooperation in oil exploration with Iraq. -- Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei will visit the ROK September 29 to October 1. -- China believes peacekeeping missions in Darfur must have the consent of the Sudanese government. -- China's increased military spending is not a threat to its neighbors. -- Corruption in China is neither deep nor serious. -- Human organ sales are prohibited in China. -- The China-ASEAN Summit will take place in Nanning city in Guangxi Province on October 30. China-Japan Relations -------------- ¶2. MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang stated that China attaches great importance to improving bilateral relations with Japan and is ready to "join hands" with Japan to this end. When asked about a possible meeting between President Hu and Prime Minister Abe, Qin said that China's position on relations with Japan is "clear and consistent." China Opposes the Inclusion of Taiwan in the US-Japan Bilateral Alliance -------------- -------------- ¶3. When asked to comment on remarks reportedly made by a Japanese Defense Agency official, Qin stated that the PRC firmly opposes the inclusion of Taiwan into the US-Japan bilateral alliance, stating that it would be an intrusion into Chinese sovereignty and internal affairs. The alliance, Qin said, should confine itself to bilateral issues so as to avoid adding "uneasiness and unstable factors to the region." Secretary Rice Visit to China SIPDIS -------------- ¶4. When asked if Secretary Rice will visit China in the near future, Qin said that China welcomes Secretary Rice to visit China at a "proper time" to SIPDIS exchange views on U.S.-China relations. Oil Cooperation with Iraq -------------- ¶5. Qin stated that China is prepared to resume and strengthen oil exploration cooperation with Iraq on the basis of "quality and mutual benefit." He noted that Chinese oil cooperation is currently restricted to trade and personnel training, although Chinese companies had signed agreements with Iraq for oil exploration projects prior to the Iraq War. Qin said that he had no information as to whether Iraq's Oil Minister planned to visit China. Wu Dawei to Visit the ROK -------------- ¶6. Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei will visit the ROK September 29 to October 1 to exchange views on the resumption of the Six-Party Talks and other issues of concern, Qin announced. Peacekeeping in Darfur -------------- ¶7. Peacekeeping missions in Darfur must have the consent of the Sudanese government, Qin said. China BEIJING 00020900 002 OF 002 SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 28 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: TAIWAN ISSUES, VFM WU TO ROK, PEACEKEEPING IN DARFUR, OIL EXPLORATION WITH IRAQ, CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS, CHINA'S INCREASED MILITARY SPENDING, CHINA'S CORRUPTION SCANDAL, HUMAN ORGAN SALES, CHINA-ASEAN SUMMIT is ready to join the international community to promote the early realization of peace and stability in the Darfur region and China will continue to pay close attention to the situation in Sudan, Qin added. Increased Military Spending Not a Threat -------------- ¶8. Qin claimed that comments made by Japanese officials alleging that China's increased military spending threatens Japan is as an excuse meant to "hype up the Chinese threat." China has a "friendly policy" toward its neighbors and its path of peaceful development threatens no country. Possible Koizumi Visit to Taiwan, Taiwan and the UN -------------- -------------- ¶9. When asked to comment on a possible visit to Taiwan by former Japanese PM Koizumi, Qin said that China hopes Japan will handle Taiwan issues within the One China Policy. Commenting on Chen Shui-bian's reported remarks about Taiwan joining the UN, Qin reiterated that there is one China and Taiwan is part of China. Corruption Scandals and China's Image -------------- ¶10. Corruption in China is neither deep nor serious, Qin said, and most Chinese public servants are loyal to their country. The recent corruption scandal in Shanghai will not impinge China's international image, he added. Human Organ Sales in China -------------- ¶11. Responding to a question about human organ sales in China, Qin said such sales are prohibited in China. If the PRC receives information about human organ sales, public health officials will strictly deal with the matter in accordance with Chinese law. He explained that, before the PRC will allow an executed prisoner's organs to be used, the prisoner must provide written consent, provincial health officials must approve and the hospital or entity using the organ must obtain approval from Chinese officials. China-ASEAN Summit -------------- ¶12. A summit marking the 15th anniversary of China- ASEAN dialogue will take place in Nanning city in Guangxi Province on October 30. SEDNEY