Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING24310
2006-12-05 10:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

DECEMBER 5 MFA BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS AND

Tags:  PREL PARM RP JA KS TC CH 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6428
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #4310/01 3391034
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 051034Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2756
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 024310 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM RP JA KS TC CH
SUBJECT: DECEMBER 5 MFA BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS AND
LUXURY GOODS PROHIBITION, IRAN TALKS IN PARIS, CHINA-OPEC
COOPERATION, IAEA DG ELBARADEI VISIT, CHINA-JAPAN ENERGY
MINISTER MEETING, CHINA-ROK MARINE BOUNDARY TALKS, TYPHOON
AID TO THE PHILIPPINES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 024310

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM RP JA KS TC CH
SUBJECT: DECEMBER 5 MFA BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS AND
LUXURY GOODS PROHIBITION, IRAN TALKS IN PARIS, CHINA-OPEC
COOPERATION, IAEA DG ELBARADEI VISIT, CHINA-JAPAN ENERGY
MINISTER MEETING, CHINA-ROK MARINE BOUNDARY TALKS, TYPHOON
AID TO THE PHILIPPINES


1. Key Points at the December 5 MFA Press Conference were:

-- China hopes for the early resumption of the Six-Party
Talks, but this requires the consensus of all parties. No
date has been set. Luxury goods prohibited for import to the
DPRK have not been defined.

-- China is closely following the ongoing six nation talks in
Paris about the Iran nuclear issue and hopes for a peaceful
diplomatic solution.

-- China believes enhanced cooperation and exchange between
China and OPEC is conducive to the healthy development of the
global energy market.

-- At the invitation of the China Atomic Energy Authority,
IAEA Director General ElBaradei is visiting Beijing December
4-7 for meetings with FM Li Zhaoxing and CAEA Chairman Sun
Qin. The visit will enhance IAEA-CAEA cooperation.

-- China and Japan will hold a bilateral energy ministers
meeting in the near future. Both countries have reached a
consensus to enhance cooperation.

-- China and the ROK will hold marine border talks on
December 6; China hopes the issues will be resolved fairly
and in accordance with international law.

-- China has pledged 250,000 USD in assistance to the
Philippines in the wake of typhoon Durian. PM Wen Jiabao and
FM Li Zhaoxing sent messages of solidarity and comfort.

No Date for Six-Party Talks and no Prohibited Luxury Goods
List
-------------- --------------


2. In response to questions regarding the date of resumption
of the Six-Party Talks, China MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang said
China hopes the talks will resume as early as possible, but
the process requires the consensus of relevant parties. He
alluded to the recent close contact between China, the United
States and the DPRK and restated China's position that all
parties should maintain flexible and constructive attitudes
for an in-depth exchange of ideas so as to create conditions
for the early re-launching and success of the Six-Party Talks.


3. When asked whether China has defined a list of luxury

goods prohibited for import to the DPRK, Qin said China will
"strictly follow and abide by" UNSC resolution 1718. A
Security Council committee is discussing the contents of the
list, he said.

China closely following the Iran Talks in Paris
-------------- --


4. When asked by reporters regarding China's position on the
Paris talks among six nations on the Iran nuclear issue, Qin
replied he had no specific information and repeated China's
position that the matter should be settled through peaceful
political and diplomatic means.

China, OPEC Cooperation Benefits Global Energy Market
-------------- -


5. Responding to questions regarding Assistant FM Zhai Jun's
visit to Dubai, discussions with OPEC and the establishment
of a biannual dialogue, Qin said enhanced cooperation and
exchange between China and OPEC is conducive to the healthy
development of the global energy market.

IAEA DG ElBaradei in Beijing, Further Cooperation with CAEA
-------------- --------------


6. In reply to a question about the IAEA Director General's
meetings in Beijing, Qin said IAEA Director General ElBaradei
is visiting china December 4-7 at the invitation of the China
Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA). He will meet with FM Li
Zhaoxing and CAEA Chairman Sun Qin and attend the opening
ceremony of a joint IAEA-CAEA training center. China hopes
the visit will enhance IAEA-CAEA cooperation, the peaceful
use of nuclear energy and the prevention of nuclear
proliferation.

Asian Energy Ministers Meeting
--------------


7. Qin confirmed reports of an energy ministers' meeting
between China and Japan in the near future, stating that both
countries have reached a consensus to enhance cooperation in

BEIJING 00024310 002 OF 002

SUBJECT: DECEMBER 5 MFA BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS AND
LUXURY GOODS PROHIBITION, IRAN TALKS IN PARIS, CHINA-OPEC
COOPERATION, IAEA DG ELBARADEI VISIT, CHINA-JAPAN ENERGY
MINISTER MEETING, CHINA-ROK MARINE BOUNDARY TALKS, TYPHOON
AID TO THE PHILIPPINES

the area of energy. He had not heard of reports by a
Japanese journalist regarding a regional energy ministers'
meeting in Beijing composed of ministers from China, Japan,
the ROK, the United States and India.

China, ROK to hold Marine Boundary Talks
--------------


8. Responding to a China Xinhua News Agency question, Qin
said that on December 6 China and the ROK will hold the 11th
set of talks over marine law, boundaries and scientific
research. China hopes the boundary issue will be settled in
accordance with international law and the principles of
fairness.

China Pledges 250,000 USD Typhoon Aid
--------------


9. PM Wen Jiabao and FM Li Zhaoxing sent messages of
solidarity and comfort to their Philippine counterparts in
the wake of typhoon Durian. The Chinese government has
pledged 200,000 USD in assistance and the Chinese Red Cross
has pledged 50,000 USD to its sister organization in the
Philippines.
Randt