NOVEMBER 16 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 023814 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL CH JA SUBJECT: NOVEMBER 16 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, UNSCR 1718, CHINESE SUBMARINE, PALESTINE, SINO-CANADIAN RELATIONS, CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS, AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT AND PRESIDENT HU TO INDIA AND PAKISTAN ¶1. Key Points made at the November 16, 2006 Press Briefing were: -- China hopes the Six-Party Talks will resume as soon as possible, but has no information on whether State Councilor Tang Jianxuan will return to Pyongyang anytime soon. -- UNSCR 1718 does not specify what constitutes "luxury goods" and normal trade between China and the DPRK will continue. -- Reports that a Chinese submarine tailed the USS Kitty Hawk are "not factual" and U.S.-China mil-to-mil relations are enjoying "good momentum." -- President Hu will hold bilateral talks with Canadian PM Stephen Harper on the margins of the APEC Meeting in Hanoi. --Chinese and Japanese leaders will meet in Hanoi to discuss implementing a joint research project on historical issues. -- President Hu's visit to India will promote Sino-Indian cooperation and outline the future of the bilateral relationship. The China-India border dispute in Arunachal Pradesh should be resolved fairly and rationally. -- President Hu's upcoming visit to Pakistan will broaden cooperation and deepen the two country's strategic partnership. Six-Party Talks -------------- ¶2. China hopes that the Six-Party Talks will resume as soon as possible, Spokesperson Jiang Yu said at the November 16 regularly scheduled MFA Press Briefing. China believes that the six parties should take this opportunity to resume dialogue, she said when asked by a reporter whether talks would restart in December. Jiang had no information on whether State Councilor Tang Jianxuan would again visit Pyongyang. Proliferation Security Initiative -------------- ¶3. There has been no change to China's position on the Proliferation Security Iniative (PSI),Jiang answered when questioned by a Bloomberg reporter on whether China would join PSI. China is opposed to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and cooperates with the international community through diplomatic efforts on this issue, Jiang stated. UNSCR 1718 -------------- ¶4. UNSCR 1718 does not specify what constitutes luxury goods, Jiang answered when asked what products China would ban exporting to the DPRK. Different countries will make the decision according to their specific situations, she said. Chinese Sub Shadows USS Kitty Hawk -------------- ¶5. Claiming that a Washington Times article alleging that a Chinese submarine tailed the USS Kitty Hawk near Okinawa was "not factual," Jiang said that U.S.-China mil-to-mil relations were enjoying "good momentum." The November 12-18 visit to Beijing by U.S. Pacific Fleet Admiral Gary Roughead promotes trust and bilateral military relations, she said. Admiral Roughead will meet with PLA Navy Vice Admiral Wu Shengli, AFM He Yafei and Commander of the South China Sea Fleet Ge Zhenfeng. During the visit of the USS Juneau to China, she added, the United States and China will hold a joint search and rescue exercise in the South China Sea on November 11. UNSCR on Palestine -------------- ¶6. China voted for the UN Resolution on Palestine, Jiang stated. China is deeply concerned over Israeli-Palestinian tensions and the deteriorating human rights conditions in the region. Beijing calls on Israel to stop military actions against Palestine and on both sides to end the conflict. Beijing stands ready to promote a peaceful resolution of the BEIJING 00023814 002 OF 003 issue with both parties through dialogue, she said. China-Canada Relations -------------- ¶7. China attaches great importance to its bilateral relations with Canada, Jiang said when asked to comment on reports that Canada's position on human rights in China was the cause of Chinese leaders' refusal to meet their Canadian counterparts at the APEC Summit in Hanoi. President Hu will meet Canadian PM Stephen Harper in Hanoi, Jiang explained. However, Beijing opposes "irresponsible" remarks on its internal affairs, she commented. China is ready to work with Canada to increase mutual cooperation and properly resolve differences. The Chinese Constitution entitles Chinese citizens to enjoy a full range of human rights, Jiang claimed. China will participate in a human rights dialogue with the international community on the basis of equality and stands ready to promote cooperation and exchanges with Canada in various fields, she noted. China-Japan Relations -------------- ¶8. China and Japan will meet at APEC to discuss implementing a joint project on research of historical issues, Jiang said when asked by a Japanese reporter if it was possible for the two countries to reach a consensus on history. The pledge to research historical issues was made during Abe's October visit to Beijing, Jiang stated. China is willing to work with Japan to promote stable and healthy relations, she added. When asked by a reporter if President Hu and Premier Wen Jianbao would visit Japan, Jiang said Japan has extended an invitation for Chinese leaders to visit Tokyo, but arrangements are still being made. African Development -------------- ¶9. China appreciates and supports all efforts to promote peace and stability in Africa and welcomes all countries to cooperate with and provide assistance to African countries, Jiang said when asked if China supported EU involvement in African development. China pursues and independent foreign policy and does not interfere with the internal affairs of other countries, nor promotes its ideology and values in Africa, she said. The development of Africa depends on the efforts of African countries. The international community should pay more attention to the region, she added. Darfur -------------- ¶10. China supports sending a UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur as long as the Sudanese Government supports the mission, Jiang stated. China believes the UN, the African Union and the Arab League have recently made progress on this issue, she noted. President Hu's Visit to India -------------- ¶11. President Hu's upcoming visit to India will be the first visit of a Chinese president to that country in 10 years, according to Jiang. The visit will promote Sino-Indian cooperation and map the future direction of bilateral relations, she added. The development of both countries contributes to world peace and stability. President Hu will visit Mumbai, attend an investment summit and sign economic, trade and education agreements, she said. Jiang had no information on whether China and India would also sign energy agreements, but stated that more information would be forthcoming after the November 20-23 visit. ¶12. China is consistent and clear on its position on the China-India border dispute and wants a solution that will be fair and rational to both parties, Jiang answered when asked if the dispute in the Arunachal Pradesh region would have a negative affect on President Hu's upcoming visit to India. China believes the visit will be a success, Jiang said. President Hu to Pakistan -------------- ¶13. President Hu's visit to Pakistan will broaden cooperation and deepen the strategic partnership between BEIJING 00023814 003 OF 003 China and Pakistan, Jiang stated. President Hu will meet President Musharraff and Prime Minister Aziz, deliver a speech on China-Pakistan relations, meet with business and youth groups and sign economic, trade, education and cultural agreements. ¶14. China and Pakistan have already signed an agreement regarding the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, Jiang said when asked by a Reuter's reporter if the countries woul sign agreements on nuclear power. Within th framework of this agreement, both sides cnduct mutual and beneficial cooperation under IAEA supervision, she said. At present, Chinese and Pakistani cooperation is mainly centered on the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant-1. The first stage of development at this plant has been completed and the second stage is under construction, she added. Internet Censorship -------------- ¶15. With Over 123 million subscribers and 788,000 websites, China is the second largest Internet user in the world, Jiang stated when asked to comment on Beijing's recent move to unblock the Chinese Wikipedia site. China, along with all other countries, has clear and consistent laws and regulations for managing the Internet, she added. Randt