DECEMBER 12 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 024470

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER ECON KN IS AJ CD CA CI LO KZ CH
KPAL
SUBJECT: DECEMBER 12 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,
STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DIALOGUE, TAIWAN-MAINLAND DIPLOMACY IN
AFRICA, IMPRISONED UIGHUR-CANADIAN, RESCHEDULED EAST ASIA
SUMMIT, ISRAEL-PALESTINE TALKS IN BEIJING,
NAGORNO-KARABAKH, DINOSAUR FOSSILS, VISITS


1. Key Points at the December 12 MFA Press Conference
were:

-- The Six-Party Talks will resume on December 18 with
the Joint Statement of September 19, 2005 forming the
basis for negotiations.

-- Trade issues with the United States can be resolved
through dialogue and China has worked in "earnest" to
follow WTO rules while opening its markets.

-- China has not engaged in "money diplomacy" in
persuading Chad to sever ties with Taiwan.

-- Huseyin Celil, a Canadian citizen Muslim Uighur
jailed in China, is a terrorist, says the MFA.

-- Premier Wen is deciding whether to attend the
rescheduled ASEAN meetings in the Philippines.

-- China will host Israeli-Palestinian talks involving
former ministers December 14-17.

-- China supports UN resolutions on Nagorno-Karabakh,
where a referendum was held supporting regional
independence.

-- The President of Kazakhstan and the Foreign
Minister of the Slovak Republic will visit China
beginning December 19.

Six-Party Talks to Restart December 18
--------------


2. MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang announced in the regular
December 12 press briefing that the Six-Party Talks
will resume December 18 at the Diaoyutai State
Guesthouse in Beijing and will include bilateral and
multilateral meetings. Qin said that the Joint
Statement of September 19, 2005 will provide a basis
for the renewed negotiations. Asked how China would
define the success of the Talks, Qin said success
would depend on the negotiations moving toward the
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the peace
and stability of Northeast Asia.


3. Asked by the Straits Times reporter if China has
any constructive suggestions similar to "the aid
package" proposed by EAP Assistant Secretary Hill, Qin
said only that parties will discuss issues of concern
once the Talks resume. Qin also deflected questions
on whether or not changes in United States or DPRK
positions had led to the resumption of the Talks and
on what other working group meetings would be held
during the Talks.

U.S.-China Trade Issues and Strategic Dialogue
-------------- -


4. Responding to a reporter's question about criticism
in the United States over China's WTO record, Qin said
China has worked in earnest over the last five years
to implement the WTO agreement and follow the WTO
rules while opening its markets. The United States-
China relationship is based on broad common interests
and any issues that may arise can be resolved through
fair and friendly means. Qin stated that the first
Strategic Economic Dialogue is an opportunity to
increase mutual understanding and promote bilateral
trade cooperation, but did not provide a schedule or
meeting information when asked by reporters.

China Does Not Engage in "Money Diplomacy" in Africa
-------------- --------------


5. Responding to a question on reports that China was
offering the President of Chad a large amount of money

BEIJING 00024470 002 OF 003

SUBJECT: DECEMBER 12 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,
STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DIALOGUE, TAIWAN-MAINLAND DIPLOMACY IN
AFRICA, IMPRISONED UIGHUR-CANADIAN, RESCHEDULED EAST ASIA
SUMMIT, ISRAEL-PALESTINE TALKS IN BEIJING,
NAGORNO-KARABAKH, DINOSAUR FOSSILS, VISITS

in return for Chad's severing of diplomatic relations
with Taiwan and recognition of China with the
President of Senegal as a mediator, Qin said that
China does not engage in "money diplomacy." On the
contrary, the "Taiwan authorities" do make use of such
practices, which create instability in some countries,
he said. Based on the one China principle, equality
and mutual benefit, China is ready to develop further
cooperation with other nations, said Qin. The visit
of Premier Su Tseng-Chang of Taiwan to Gambia from
December 13-17 was mentioned in the same question.
Qin reiterated China's strong opposition to activities
of the "Taiwan authorities" aimed at separating Taiwan
from China as well as the hope that relevant countries
will abide by the one China principle recognized by
the international community.

Imprisoned Uighur is a Chinese Citizen and a Terrorist
-------------- --------------


6. Qin insisted that Huseyin Celil, a Canadian citizen
of the Muslim Uighur ethnic minority currently jailed
by China, is a Chinese citizen and a terrorist, who is
suspected of involvement in terrorist activities and
whose case is under trial in accordance with law, Qin
said when asked if Celil would be executed. China
hopes Canada can support China's handling of terrorism
in accordance with the law.

ASEAN Postponement; India and Japan in Asia
--------------


7. Responding to a reporter's question regarding PM
Wen Jiabao's plans to attend the postponed ASEAN
Summit meeting, Qin said that China understands the
necessity of the postponement and will consult with
the relevant parties to discuss whether PM Wen will
travel to the Philippines to attend future meetings.
Asked to comment on Indian PM Singh's upcoming visit
to Japan, Qin said the matter was an internal affair
of the two countries. He stressed that China, India
and Japan play important roles in the peace and
prosperity of Asia. China hopes for expanded dialogue
and exchanges to create a new concept of regional
stability and development cooperation.

Beijing Hosts Israel-Palestine Talks
--------------


8. At the invitation of FM Li Zhaoxing, former
Palestinian National Authority Minister Abdel Qadir
and former Israeli Justice Minister Beilin will travel
to Beijing from December 14-17 to meet with FM Li, AFM
Zhai Jun and Chinese experts on the Middle East.
Replying to reporters' questions, Qin said that China
fully supports the peace process and that this may be
the first time China has hosted such a meeting.

China supports UNSC Resolutions on Nagorno-Karabakh
-------------- --------------


9. China supports resolutions of the United Nations
Security Council regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh Region
of Azerbaijan, Qin said when asked for comment on a
referendum backing independence in the region. Qin
expressed China's hope that the parties concerned can
find a proper solution in accordance with
international norms recognized by all, adding that
China is willing to make joint efforts with the
international community for a peaceful solution.

Chilean Ex-Leader Pinochet's Death
--------------


10. China has taken note of reports issued by the
Chilean government and hopes Chile can maintain social
stability, economic development and social

BEIJING 00024470 003 OF 003

SUBJECT: DECEMBER 12 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,
STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DIALOGUE, TAIWAN-MAINLAND DIPLOMACY IN
AFRICA, IMPRISONED UIGHUR-CANADIAN, RESCHEDULED EAST ASIA
SUMMIT, ISRAEL-PALESTINE TALKS IN BEIJING,
NAGORNO-KARABAKH, DINOSAUR FOSSILS, VISITS

advancement, said Qin, offering no comment on
questions about reports on Pinochet's death.

Chinese Dinosaur Fossils Must Return Home
--------------


11. Qin expressed China's concern over a recent report
that a dinosaur fossil auctioned by a United States
company might have originated in China. If the
ongoing investigation confirms this report, China will
demand the fossil's return in accordance with relevant
international conventions.

Visits: Kazakh President, Slovak FM
--------------


12. At the invitation of President Hu, Kazakh
President Nazarbayev will pay a state visit to China
from December 19-23. At the invitation of FM Li,
Slovak Republic FM Kubis will pay a working visit to
China from December 19-21.

Randt