DECEMBER 19 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 024643 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM MNUC KN KS IN JA CH SUBJECT: DECEMBER 19 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, FINANCIAL SANCTIONS, HUMAN RIGHTS CASES, UNITED STATES-INDIA NUCLEAR LEGISLATION, EU ARMS EMBARGO, CHINESE VISITS TO JAPAN AND ASEAN MEETINGS ¶1. Key Points at the December 19 MFA Press Conference were: -- With resumption of Six-Party Talks and bilateral talks between the United States and DPRK, all parties maintain hope that the Talks can press ahead toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. "Visible and sharp" differences were apparent at the outset. There is no deadline for ending of the Talks. -- China hopes financial "sanctions" issues can be resolved at an early date to prevent them from disturbing the Six-Party Talks. -- China had no comment on the reported 20-year espionage sentence given to CASS sociologist Lu Jianhua or the house arrest of dissident Hu Jia. -- China "took note" of United States-India nuclear cooperation legislation in the United States. -- China opposes the "out-of-date" EU arms embargo. -- Chinese leaders will visit Japan next year, although there are no details about that trip or about Chinese participation in rescheduled ASEAN meetings. Six-Party Talks Underway -------------- ¶2. MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang announced in the regular December 19 press briefing that the heads of delegation of the Six-Party Talks discussed this morning how to finalize the September 2005 Joint Statement. Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei stated China's position that parties must make realistic choices and define specific actions to take at the current stage. Although differences were "visible and sharp," at the initial meeting, Qin said, all parties hope to find similarities and common positions in order to press ahead with denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and to finalize the Joint Statement. There is no stated deadline for the Talks, Qin said, and any such deadline will be decided by consensus of all the parties. ¶3. Qin gave no specifics in response to repeated questions about discussion of financial "sanctions" and the financial issues working group. Measures taken in the Macao SAR will be handled in accordance with facts and legal requirements, he said. China hopes the parties can settle the issue at an early date to prevent the issue from disrupting the Six- Party Talks. Asked about the purpose of UNSCR 1718, Qin said that the resolution's goal is to solve the DPRK nuclear issue through consultation not sanctions. ¶4. Asked about bilateral meetings in the Six-Party process, Qin said he had heard the United States and DPRK might meet bilaterally but had no information about the substance of such a meeting. He confirmed that at least twelve bilateral meetings took place involving various parties since December 17. ¶5. A reporter asked about reports that EAP Assistant Secretary Hill was disappointed with the lack of SIPDIS progress so far in the Talks. Qin said the meetings have just begun and all participants should exert more patience. The Talks are like a marathon that parties must run to build up patience and endurance, he said. Human Rights: 20-Year Sentence For Sociologist -------------- - ¶6. Qin ducked a question by a Reuters' reporter about the espionage conviction of CASS Sociologist Lu Jianhua, who was reportedly sentenced to 20 years in prison. He similarly had no information in response to a question asserting that dissident Hu Jia has been held in house arrest for five months. Qin referred reporters to the Justice Ministry and said China is a country ruled by law that acts in accordance with rules and regulations. ¶7. China has taken note that President Bush signed the United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act and believes that nuclear cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy should be conducive to BEIJING 00024643 002 OF 002 the maintenance of principles and efficacy of international nonproliferation mechanisms, Qin said when asked for a comment on the bill. ¶8. China opposes the "out-of-date" European Union's arms embargo against China, Qin said in response to a question about the impact that the outgoing Finnish Presidency of the EU had on the arms embargo. The purpose of China's opposition is not to buy weapons, but rather to have a relationship based on equality and mutual benefit. China and the EU enjoy a strategic partnership. The EU has expressed its commitment to lifting the ban, he said. Chinese Visits to Japan, ASEAN meetings -------------- ¶9. Chinese leaders have agreed to make high-level visits to Japan next year, but no specific dates or participants have been confirmed, Qin said. China supports the Philippines' efforts to host the ASEAN summits, Qin said, but would not provide details about Premier Wen's travel except to say that the visit would be discussed through diplomatic channels. Randt