Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING24739
2006-12-21 13:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

DECEMBER 21 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,

Tags:  PREL PHUM MNUC KN KS IN JA CH 
pdf how-to read a cable
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 024739 

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM MNUC KN KS IN JA CH
SUBJECT: DECEMBER 21 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,
CHINA-ADOPTION POLICY, CHINA-JAPAN HISTORY STUDY, JAPANESE
CHEMICAL WEAPONS IN CHINA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 024739

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM MNUC KN KS IN JA CH
SUBJECT: DECEMBER 21 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,
CHINA-ADOPTION POLICY, CHINA-JAPAN HISTORY STUDY, JAPANESE
CHEMICAL WEAPONS IN CHINA


1. Key Points at the December 21 MFA Press Conference
were:

--At the Six-Party Talks, bilateral meetings between
the six parties will be held today. China is willing
to draft a statement for this round of the Six-Party
Talks if all parties can reach consensus. The
statement would include denuclearization and economic
issues.

--Complete consensus is essential for success in this
round of the Six-Party Talks, not just U.S.-China
consensus. The talks are an opportunity to further
U.S.-China relations.

--China and Kazakhstan signed 11 agreements.

--The MFA did not confirm reports of a review of
Chinese adoption policy.

--Any consensus reached at the upcoming China-Japan
History Study meetings should be based on the &three
political documents8 China,s position on the
Yasukuni Shrine is unchanged.

--China Urges Japan to abide by its commitments to
destroy abandoned chemical weapons in China.

Six-Party Talks Update
--------------


2. Replying to reporters, questions on the number and
schedule of bilateral meetings, MFA Spokesman Qin Gang
said China, the DPRK and the United States held
bilateral meetings this morning and China would hold
meetings with the other three parties this afternoon.
Qin said he was in no position to confirm reports that
the United States and the DPRK had held other
bilateral meetings outside of Beijing or that Banco
Delta Asia officials were in Beijing for meetings. As
of today, 25 bilateral meetings have been held during
this round of the Six-Party Talks, 13 of which related
to China.


3. When questioned if China was drafting a statement
for this round of the talks, Qin said China was
willing to do so, but that it depended on all parties
reaching a consensus. Replying to a question about
China,s position on separating the denuclearization
and sanctions issues, Qin emphasized that any
statement would be multifaceted encompassing
denuclearization, normalizing relations, peace and
economic considerations.


4. A reporter asked for China,s views on Assistant
Secretary of State Christopher Hill,s remarks that

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China and the United States must reach consensus for
this round of the Six-Party Talks to succeed. Qin
responded that success rests on the earnest and
pragmatic joint efforts of all parties and that an
overall consensus must be reached, rejecting the idea
of relying on China to push a solution as not
objective, realistic or fair. He agreed with A/S
Hill,s statement that the Six-Party Talks are an
opportunity for China and the United States to further
bilateral relations, stating that both countries
desire greater coordination and constructive
cooperation on bilateral and major international
issues.

China, Kazakhstan Energy Agreements
--------------


5. In responding to calls for details regarding the
agreements signed between China and Kazakhstan
recently, Qin confirmed that 11 agreements were
signed, but referred reporters to an extensive article
in the People,s Daily for additional information.

No Confirmation on China Adoption Policy Review
-------------- --


6. When asked to confirm reports in the New York Times
that China is reviewing adoption guidelines for
foreigners, Qin had no information, stating this
matter does not fall within the MFA,s purview and
referred reporters to the relevant authorities.

China-Japan History Study

BEIJING 00024739 002 OF 002


--------------


7. Responding to a question about the upcoming China-
Japan History Joint Study meetings, Qin said that any
consensus reached should be based on the &three
political documents8 (the China-Japan Joint
Communique, the Treaty of Peace and Friendship and the
China-Japan Joint Declaration). China believes the
meetings will help both countries increase mutual
understanding. When asked to comment on revisions
being made at the Yasukuni Shrine relating to China,
Qin reiterated that China,s position remains unchanged
and opposes historical denial or distortion.

China Urges Japan to Clear Chemical Weapons
--------------


8. In reply to a question on meetings between Japan
and China to plan the destruction of abandoned
chemical weapons in China, Qin emphasized that this
"heinous historical crime" has contemporary issues and
called on Japan to abide by its commitments in a 2005
Memorandum of Understanding to destroy the weapons as
soon as possible.
SEDNEY