DECEMBER 14 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 024539 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL CH SUBJECT: DECEMBER 14 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, RENMINBI HIGH VS DOLLAR, GAO ZHISHENG, TIBETAN REFUGEES, CHINA-AFRICA COOPERATION, DARFUR POLICY, CLOONEY, BUSH, NAZARBAEV, KHATIB ¶1. Key Points at the December 14 MFA Press Conference were: -- China believes patience, compromise and mutual trust building are required during the Six-Party Talks. -- Human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng's trial will take place in accordance with Chinese law. -- China rejects criticism that its Africa policy is neo-colonialism. In these new times, nothing can hold back China-Africa cooperation. -- Beijing briefs U.S. actor George Clooney on Darfur. -- Former President Bush visits Beijing and meets with President Hu. -- Kazakhstan President Nazarbaev will meet with President Hu, Chairman Wu and Premier Wen during his upcoming visit to China. Over ten agreements will be signed. China Seeks Mutual Trust in Six-Party Talks -------------- ¶2. MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang announced at the December 14 press briefing that, during the Six-Party Talks, time, patience, compromise and the building of mutual trust between all countries will be required. Asked for details on the schedule and structure of the talks, Qin said there would be both bilateral and multilateral meetings and that the talks would likely begin Monday morning. No Further Information on Gao Zhisheng, Slain Tibetan Refugees -------------- -------------- ¶3. Qin stated that the case of human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng will be decided in accordance with Chinese law, when asked by an Associated Press reporter about concerns that Gao received a closed-door trial without legal representation. Responding to the reporter's second question as to what measures had been taken to address the September 30 shooting of two Tibetans by Chinese border guards, Qin said that the victims were illegal border-crossers and that there was no more to add. Sensitivity to Criticism on China-Africa Cooperation -------------- -------------- ¶4. Qin said he "does not understand the mentality and motives" of countries who continue to criticize China's relationship with African nations in a several minutes long response to a question regarding South African President Thabo Mbeki's remarks that China risks entering into a colonial relationship with Africa if it continues to extract natural resources without developing Africa's manufacturing capacity. Qin spoke about common experiences and suffering under colonialism between the people of China and Africa as well as of prior support for China-Africa cooperation from President Mbeki himself. Times have changed and no force can hold back the trend of cooperation between China and Africa, Qin said, adding that any words that undermine this relationship are also not welcome to the African people. Clooney in Beijing: Briefed on PRC Darfur Policy -------------- --- ¶5. Responding to reports, Qin acknowledged that U.S. actor George Clooney visited Beijing December 10-12 to discuss Darfur. He met high-level officials at the MFA who briefed on China's policy in the region. China is concerned about the Darfur issue, Qin said, and actively provides humanitarian assistance to the region. China hopes through dialogue to increase mutual trust and promote an early resolution of the issue. China Thanks Annan and Wishes Him Well -------------- ¶6. When asked to comment on the legacy of Kofi Annan, Qin said that as the UN Secretary General for the last 10 years, Annan has promoted world peace and BEIJING 00024539 002 OF 002 development. He is a great friend of China and China thanks him for his dedication to public service and wishes him well in his future endeavors. Renminbi Hits New High Against U.S. Dollar -------------- ¶7. When asked to comment on the new high reached by the Chinese Renminbi against the U.S. Dollar, Qin's only response was to say that China's position on this has been consistent. Former President Bush Visiting Beijing -------------- ¶8. Former President Bush is visiting Beijing from December 12-14. He met with President Hu on December 13 and has attended various social sciences, humanitarian and cultural events. Kazakhstan President Nazarbaev to Visit China -------------- ¶9. In reply to a request for details concerning Kazakhstan President Nazarbaev's upcoming visit to China, Qin said President Nazarbaev will hold meetings with President Hu, National People's Congress Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao to discuss bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common concern. At least ten agreements will be signed during the visit, Qin said, offering no additional details. Jordanian FM Ilah Khatib to Visit China -------------- ¶10. At the invitation of FM Li Zhaoxing, Jordanian FM Abdul Ilah Khatib will pay a working visit to China December 18-19. Randt