DECEMBER 28 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SCO SYG ZHANG

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 024852

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KN KS IS JA CH
SUBJECT: DECEMBER 28 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SCO SYG ZHANG
DEGUANG, SIX-PARTY TALKS, CHINA-JAPAN HISTORY STUDY


1. Key Points at the December 28 MFA Press Conference were:

--Outgoing Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretary
General (SYG) Zhang Deguang was pragmatic and helped launch
the organization and raise its international profile. China
expects similar pragmatism from Zhang's successor, Bolat
Nurgaliyev.

--China will implement United Nations Security Council
Resolution 1718 responsibly. The United States and the DPRK
should resolve their differences on financial measures
through dialogue and help facilitate the Six-Party Talks.

--At the just concluded China-Japan Joint Historical Study
meetings, China and Japan agreed upon procedures for future
meetings and agreed to hold a second meeting in Tokyo in
March, 2007.

New SCO Secretary General
--------------


2. Asked to comment on outgoing SCO SYG Zhang's tenure, MFA
Spokesman Qin Gang said that Zhang worked hard as the first
SCO SYG to launch the organization. During Zhang's tenure,
SCO developed efficient and orderly coordination among member
states that increased political trust and cooperation. Zhang
also helped the SCO have an international impact. SCO member
states' leaders view Zhang's tenure as highly pragmatic.
China looks forward to close cooperation with incoming SCO
SYG Bolat Nurgaliyev, who will make new efforts to increase
pragmatic coordination among SCO members, Qin said.

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


3. Asked to comment on reports that ROK sources said the DPRK
will "give up" its nuclear facility at Yongbyon if the United
States lifts its economic measures against the DPRK, Qin said
the United States and the DPRK discussed the financial
measures during the recent Six-Party Talks and both sides
expressed their positions. China hopes the United States and
the DPRK can resolve their differences through dialogue and
cooperation and facilitate the Six-Party Talks process.


4. Questioned what China has done to implement United Nations
Security Council Resolution 1718, Qin said that UNSCR 1718 is
a UNSC action and the UNSC is entitled to take further
decisions. As a responsible member of the Security Council,
China will responsibly implement UNSCR 1718. The Security
Council is currently researching implementation, Qin added.

China-Japan History Study
--------------


5. Responding to questions about the recent China-Japan Joint
Historical Study meetings, Qin said that the first meeting
ended on December 27 and both sides agreed to act in
accordance with the &three political documents8 (the
China-Japan Joint Communique, the Treaty of Peace and
Friendship and the China-Japan Joint Declaration) and the
framework agreed upon in Hanoi in November, 2006. China and
Japan agreed to face up to history for the benefit of future
generations. China hopes this spirit will be carried out
throughout the process. The two sides set up procedures for
the next meetings and divided discussions into ancient
history and modern history. A second meeting will be held in
Tokyo in March, 2007. Scholars and governments must abide by
the objective facts of history and take a responsible
attitude toward history, Qin remarked. Responding to a
general question about differing perceptions of World War II,
Qin said verdicts rendered at the international trials at the
conclusion of World War II were clearly stated and
undeniable. Japan accepted surrender with no conditions.
Japan's own laws state that Japan must abide by international
treaties and international law, Qin said.

China Israel Relations
--------------


6. China and Israel conduct exchanges at all levels in all
fields, Qin said when queried whether Israeli Prime Minister
Ehud Olmert will visit China soon. Qin added he had no
additional information about Olmert's possible visit.

Premier's Travel Not Fixed
--------------


7. Asked about Premier Wen Jiabao's possible travel plans for
the rescheduled Tenth ASEAN 1 Summit and/or Japan, Qin said
China supports the Philippines and will communicate with the
ASEAN parties and make a prompt announcement when

BEIJING 00024852 002 OF 002


appropriate. China and Japan have agreed in principle to a
visit by the Chinese leader at a time convenient to both
sides and will consult through diplomatic channels. China
will announce any such visit when it is fixed, Qin noted.
SEDNEY