NOVEMBER 21 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 023954 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KN IN CH MX CO SUBJECT: NOVEMBER 21 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, DPRK BANK ACCOUNTS IN MACAO, JOURNALIST'S ARREST, CHINA-INDIA RELATIONS, MEXICAN PRESIDENTIAL DISPUTE, EU BAN ON DOG AND CAT FUR, VISITS BY MONGOLIAN PRESIDENT, COLOMBIAN VICE PRESIDENT ¶1. Key Points at the November 21 MFA Press Conference were: - A/S Hill and VFM Wu Dawei held talks on resumpion of the Six-Party Talks but no date has been set for the Talks to resume. -- The MFA Spokesperson had no comment on reports of the "unfreezing" of DPRK accounts in Macao or about the reported arrest of an American journalist in Guangdong Province. -- China and India will discuss peaceful, civilian nuclear development during President Hu's visit to New Delhi. Among positive gestures made by India during the visit, Indian officials acknowledged that Tibet is part of China. -- China hopes Mexico can resolve its Presidential dispute peacefully. -- China abides by international agreements, the Spokesperson said in response to a question about an EU ban on importing cat and dog fur. -- Mongolia's President and Colombia's Vice President are visiting China and will meet Premier Wen Jiabao. A/S Hill Discusses DPRK With VFM Wu Dawei -------------- ¶2. MFA Spokesperson Jiang Yu said EAP A/S Christopher Hill and Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei had an in-depth exchange of views regarding the Six-Party Talks and agreed to continue efforts to promote early resumption and progress of the Talks. Jiang denied that a date had already been set for the nex round of Talks, saying further consultation wa necessary. Jiang deflected questions about possible travel by VFM Wu to Pyongyang or by DPRK FM Kim Gye-gwan to Beijing. Reports On "Unfrozen" DPRK Bank Accounts -------------- ¶3. Jiang said she had no official information about reports that North Korean accounts at the Banco Delta Asia in Macao were unfrozen. Jiang noted that recent media reports said previous claims about unfreezing of such accounts are inaccurate. The Macao SAR government is currently investigating and has jurisdiction over this matter, she said. Journalist Arrested in Guangdong -------------- ¶4. Responding to reports about the arrest of a United States' journalist in Guangdong Province, Jiang said reporters should ask the relevant provincial officials for details. The MFA works to facilitate the work of foreign journalists in China and hopes they abide by local laws, said Jiang. Hu's visit to India, Civilian Nuclear Cooperation -------------- -------------- ¶5. Jiang said that President Hu's visit to India sends a signal to the international community that both countries are serious about deepening their friendship and Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Trade and cooperation are a dynamic, mutually beneficial part of the China-India relationship, she said, and China hopes the Indian government will maintain a long-term, strategic perspective. In response to reports that China and India will sign civilian nuclear agreements during the visit, Jiang replied that China is willing to conduct peaceful nuclear cooperation where all parties abide by their international commitments. India's "Positive Gestures" Include Tibet -------------- ¶6. Jiang said Beijing appreciated India's proclamation during Hu's visit that Tibet is part of China and hopes India will honor its commitments in that regard. The statement came in response to an Indian journalist's question regarding three friendly gestures India has made during the visit, pledging not to discriminate against Chinese foreign direct investment, not to restrict visas for Chinese business travelers and publicly proclaiming that Tibet is a part of China. Tibet is an internal PRC matter, Jiang said and China protects the religious rights of its citizens. BEIJING 00023954 002 OF 002 SUBJECT: NOVEMBER 21 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, DPRK BANK ACCOUNTS IN MACAO, JOURNALIST'S ARREST, CHINA-INDIA RELATIONS, MEXICAN PRESIDENTIAL DISPUTE, EU BAN ON DOG AND CAT FUR, VISITS BY MONGOLIAN PRESIDENT, COLOMBIAN VICE PRESIDENT Security Cooperation with Pakistan and India -------------- ¶7. Asked whether China will seek to further security cooperation with India and Pakistan during Hu's visits to those countries, Jiang said that China and its neighbors have made progress in regional security cooperation, especially since the increased focus on anti-terrorism. China looks to step up counter-terrorism and security cooperation. A reporter asked about Chinese plans to divert water that flows into India out of a river originating in Tibet, but Jiang had no information on the topic. Mexican Presidential Dispute -------------- ¶8. The MFA is paying attention to reports on the political situation in Mexico, after previously defeated presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador swore himself in as President of a parallel government on Monday. Jiang added that China considers Mexico a friendly nation and hopes the country can maintain stability throughout the dispute. Protection of Wildlife and Animals -------------- ¶9. Responding to a question about a proposed European Union ban on importing cat and dog fur, Jiang said China has strict regulations on the export and trade of wild animals and has "good and sound international cooperation in this regard." Jiang said the torture and cruel killing of cats and dogs is by no means a universal phenomenon in China, noting the increasing awareness of animal protection in China and the great importance China attaches to issues of wildlife protection. Colombian Vice-President Santos' Visit -------------- ¶10. Vice-President Francisco Santos Calderon of Colombia will hold meetings with Vice-Premier Zeng Qinghong and with Premier Wen Jiabao on November 21 and 22. Colombia and China have had friendly relations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1980 and will continue to deepen exchange in political, economic and cultural fields, said Jiang. Mongolian PM Enkhbold To Meet Wen Jiabao -------------- ¶11. In response to questions, Jiang said that Mongolian PM Enkhbold will meet with PM Wen Jiabao on November 21 and with NPC Chair Wu Bangguo and Politburo member Jia Qingling on November 22. She did not mention that any agreements that will be signed during the November 19-26 visit. China believes the visit will further bilateral relations, increase trade and deepen trust following the 2003 signing of the Partnership of Good Neighborliness and Mutual Trust. Randt