Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING23814
2006-11-16 10:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

NOVEMBER 16 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,

Tags:  PREL CH JA 
pdf how-to read a cable
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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

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