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