DECEMBER 5 MFA BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS AND

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