Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING4766
2006-03-14 11:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
MARCH 14 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN AND DPRK NUCLEAR
how-toVZCZCXRO7997 OO RUEHCN RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHPA DE RUEHBJ #4766/01 0731159 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 141159Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0234 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0356 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 6309 RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0826
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 004766
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PARM CH JP IR KN
SUBJECT: MARCH 14 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN AND DPRK NUCLEAR
ISSUES, PRC/AUSTRALIA URANIUM PACT, UNITED STATES/PRC
MILITARY EXCHANGES, PRC/PAKISTAN, TRILATERAL SECURITY
TALKS, PRC/BRAZIL, PRC/AFRICA, PRC/JAPAN
Summary
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 004766
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PARM CH JP IR KN
SUBJECT: MARCH 14 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN AND DPRK NUCLEAR
ISSUES, PRC/AUSTRALIA URANIUM PACT, UNITED STATES/PRC
MILITARY EXCHANGES, PRC/PAKISTAN, TRILATERAL SECURITY
TALKS, PRC/BRAZIL, PRC/AFRICA, PRC/JAPAN
Summary
--------------
1. Key points made at the March 14 MFA press briefing
are as follows:
- China supports the Russia-Iran talks, wants to see
the Iranian nuclear issue resolved through
negotiation, wants to ensure the authority of the
international nuclear nonproliferation, hopes Iran
will build confidence and urges all sides to exercise
restraint and avoid escalating the situation. There
is still room to resolve the issue through
negotiation.
- Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and ROK Deputy
Foreign Minister Chun Young Woo, new Head of the ROK
Six-Party Talks Delegation, met March 10 for an in-
depth exchange of views. Qin had no information when
asked about reports of a meeting between Wu and DPRK
MFA Director General Li Gun. When asked about Banco
Delta Asia, he said the PRC will take action according
to law to combat money-laundering
- The PRC believes military exchanges between the
United States and China are mutually beneficial.
- Qin sidestepped the question of whether the PRC and
Australia signed a uranium sales pact.
- President Musharraf's recent visit covered a range
of bilateral and international affairs. China will
work together with Pakistan and South Asian countries
to promote prosperity and maintain stability in South
Asia.
- Vice Premier Wu Yi and VP Alencar will co-chair the
first session of the PRC/Brazil High-level Committee
on Consultation and Cooperation in Beijing during
Alencar's March 19-24 visit to China. End Summary.
Iranian Nuclear Issue
--------------
2. Asked about Iran's nuclear ambitions, Qin remarked
that China and most members of the international
community seek to maintain the seriousness and
authority of the international nuclear
nonproliferation regime. China supports Russia's
negotiations with Iran. China is trying to play a
constructive role with intensive negotiations with all
parties concerned. The PRC hopes Iran will do more to
build mutual confidence but does not wish to see the
situation destabilized. There is still room to
resolve the issue through negotiation, according to
Qin, who urged all parties to exercise restraint and
avoid escalating the situation.
Six-Party Talks
--------------
3. Asked to comment on the March 10 consultations
between Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and ROK Deputy
Foreign Minister Chun Young Woo, th new Head of the
ROK Six-Party Talks delegatin, Qin said they held an
in-depth exchange of views and agreed to stay in close
contact on atters related to peace and stability in
Northeast Asia. DFM Chun also met Assistant Foreign
Minister Cui Tiankai, Assistant Foreign Minister He
Yafei and DG for North American and Oceanian Affairs
Liu Jieyi to exchange views on relevant issues, Qin
added.
4. Asked to comment on information that DPRK Six-
Party Talks delegate Li Gun was spotted departing
Beijing airport on March 14, following a purported
meeting with VFM Wu, Qin said he had no information on
the Li Gun-Wu Dawei meeting.
5. Qin said the PRC attaches great importance to
anti-money laundering and signed the Anti-Money
Laundering Convention when he was asked for an update
on anti-money laundering investigations related to
BEIJING 00004766 002 OF 003
Banco Delta Asia in Macau. If money laundering is
discovered, Chinese authorities will take action. The
Macau government will handle its investigation in
accordance with the law, asserted Qin.
United States/PRC Military Exchanges
--------------
6. With Secretary Rumsfeld's visit to China in
October, 2005, the PRC and United States agreed to
strengthen military exchanges, Qin said in response to
a question on the nature of such exchanges. He stated
that talks occur at a number of levels, from high-
level visits to exchanges between academics and
defense-related institutions. The exchanges are rich
in content, cover a wide range of topics and are
mutually beneficial. China wants to enhance trust and
ensure the stable development of relations with the
United States in the twenty-first century, Qin noted.
Sino-Australian Uranium Pact?
--------------
7. Questioned whether the PRC and Australia had
signed an agreement on uranium sales that will be
announced during Premier Wen Jiabao's planned April
visit to Australia, Qin said he did not have any
information on such an agreement but would keep the
press updated. He noted that Sino-Australian
cooperation on nuclear energy serves the interests of
both countries and deepens bilateral ties. Both
countries support the international nonproliferation
regime and will honor their nonproliferation
commitments, Qin added.
Trilateral Security Talks
--------------
8. Questioned about United States/Australia/Japan
trilateral security talks and concerns about China's
military buildup, Qin noted Premier Wen Jiabao's March
14 NPC press conference focused on China's peaceful
development. He referred the press to Premier Wen's
ten points, hoping this will help the international
community gain a better, more comprehensive
understanding of how China's foreign policy serves its
goal of peaceful development. China is a force for
peace in the Asia/Pacific region and the world, Qin
asserted.
PRC/Japan Relations
--------------
9. When asked about China's relations with Japan, Qin
referred to Premier Wen's statement at his March 14
press conference, saying that Beijing's relations with
Tokyo relations are based on the three PRC/Japan
political documents. Japan should use history as a
mirror and look to the future while handling properly
the Taiwan issue. Asked about Tokyo's response to
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing's recent criticism of
Prime Minister Koizumi for visiting the Yasukuni
Shrine, Qin questioned rhetorically whether Tokyo
should harm and undermine relations by misleading the
public or should guide the media and public opinion in
a correct and comprehensive manner. China hopes Japan
will earnestly express remorse regarding its history,
Qin stated.
10. Asked to clarify Premier Wen's remarks on
PRC/Japan relations, Qin noted Premier Wen described
the three aspects to the relations: strategic
dialogue; cultural exchange; and economic and trade
ties. All are equally important and indispensable.
They ensure all around stable development, Qin said.
Pakistan and South Asia
--------------
11. Asked to describe China's cooperation with
Pakistan and South Asia in light of President
Musharraf's recent visit, Qin cited Premier Wen's
remarks at the National People's Conference (NPC)
BEIJING 00004766 003 OF 003
closing press conference and said China's foreign
policy is designed to promote amicable relations and
partnerships in the region. Relations with Pakistan
are friendly and based on equal respect and mutual
benefit. As a neighbor and friend, China will work
together with Pakistan and other South Asian countries
to deepen ties. Last year, China and Pakistan began
strategic cooperation. President Musharraf's visit
covered a range of bilateral and international
affairs. China will work together with Pakistan and
South Asian countries to promote prosperity and
maintain stability in the South Asia, Qin said.
PRC Hosts African Journalists
--------------
12. Qin noted that 43 African journalists from 23
countries attended the press conference as part of a
PRC-hosted two-week seminar. The seminar is designed
to boost further PRC/Africa friendship and
cooperation. Qin said he hoped the journalists would
report to their countries that China's government and
people value their friendship with Africa and seek to
enhance the relationship. PRC/Africa relations mark
their fiftieth anniversary in 2006 and China will host
the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation in November,
Qin added.
Visits
--------------
13. Brazil's Vice President Jose Alencar will visit
China from March 19 to 24 at the invitation of Vice
President Zeng Qinghong. During the visit, Vice
Premier Wu Yi and VP Alencar will co-chair the first
session of the PRC/Brazil High-level Committee on
Consultation and Cooperation in Beijing. Separately,
President of the Commonwealth of Dominica Nicolas
Liverpool will pay an informal visit to China from
March 19 to 25.
RANDT
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PARM CH JP IR KN
SUBJECT: MARCH 14 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN AND DPRK NUCLEAR
ISSUES, PRC/AUSTRALIA URANIUM PACT, UNITED STATES/PRC
MILITARY EXCHANGES, PRC/PAKISTAN, TRILATERAL SECURITY
TALKS, PRC/BRAZIL, PRC/AFRICA, PRC/JAPAN
Summary
--------------
1. Key points made at the March 14 MFA press briefing
are as follows:
- China supports the Russia-Iran talks, wants to see
the Iranian nuclear issue resolved through
negotiation, wants to ensure the authority of the
international nuclear nonproliferation, hopes Iran
will build confidence and urges all sides to exercise
restraint and avoid escalating the situation. There
is still room to resolve the issue through
negotiation.
- Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and ROK Deputy
Foreign Minister Chun Young Woo, new Head of the ROK
Six-Party Talks Delegation, met March 10 for an in-
depth exchange of views. Qin had no information when
asked about reports of a meeting between Wu and DPRK
MFA Director General Li Gun. When asked about Banco
Delta Asia, he said the PRC will take action according
to law to combat money-laundering
- The PRC believes military exchanges between the
United States and China are mutually beneficial.
- Qin sidestepped the question of whether the PRC and
Australia signed a uranium sales pact.
- President Musharraf's recent visit covered a range
of bilateral and international affairs. China will
work together with Pakistan and South Asian countries
to promote prosperity and maintain stability in South
Asia.
- Vice Premier Wu Yi and VP Alencar will co-chair the
first session of the PRC/Brazil High-level Committee
on Consultation and Cooperation in Beijing during
Alencar's March 19-24 visit to China. End Summary.
Iranian Nuclear Issue
--------------
2. Asked about Iran's nuclear ambitions, Qin remarked
that China and most members of the international
community seek to maintain the seriousness and
authority of the international nuclear
nonproliferation regime. China supports Russia's
negotiations with Iran. China is trying to play a
constructive role with intensive negotiations with all
parties concerned. The PRC hopes Iran will do more to
build mutual confidence but does not wish to see the
situation destabilized. There is still room to
resolve the issue through negotiation, according to
Qin, who urged all parties to exercise restraint and
avoid escalating the situation.
Six-Party Talks
--------------
3. Asked to comment on the March 10 consultations
between Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and ROK Deputy
Foreign Minister Chun Young Woo, th new Head of the
ROK Six-Party Talks delegatin, Qin said they held an
in-depth exchange of views and agreed to stay in close
contact on atters related to peace and stability in
Northeast Asia. DFM Chun also met Assistant Foreign
Minister Cui Tiankai, Assistant Foreign Minister He
Yafei and DG for North American and Oceanian Affairs
Liu Jieyi to exchange views on relevant issues, Qin
added.
4. Asked to comment on information that DPRK Six-
Party Talks delegate Li Gun was spotted departing
Beijing airport on March 14, following a purported
meeting with VFM Wu, Qin said he had no information on
the Li Gun-Wu Dawei meeting.
5. Qin said the PRC attaches great importance to
anti-money laundering and signed the Anti-Money
Laundering Convention when he was asked for an update
on anti-money laundering investigations related to
BEIJING 00004766 002 OF 003
Banco Delta Asia in Macau. If money laundering is
discovered, Chinese authorities will take action. The
Macau government will handle its investigation in
accordance with the law, asserted Qin.
United States/PRC Military Exchanges
--------------
6. With Secretary Rumsfeld's visit to China in
October, 2005, the PRC and United States agreed to
strengthen military exchanges, Qin said in response to
a question on the nature of such exchanges. He stated
that talks occur at a number of levels, from high-
level visits to exchanges between academics and
defense-related institutions. The exchanges are rich
in content, cover a wide range of topics and are
mutually beneficial. China wants to enhance trust and
ensure the stable development of relations with the
United States in the twenty-first century, Qin noted.
Sino-Australian Uranium Pact?
--------------
7. Questioned whether the PRC and Australia had
signed an agreement on uranium sales that will be
announced during Premier Wen Jiabao's planned April
visit to Australia, Qin said he did not have any
information on such an agreement but would keep the
press updated. He noted that Sino-Australian
cooperation on nuclear energy serves the interests of
both countries and deepens bilateral ties. Both
countries support the international nonproliferation
regime and will honor their nonproliferation
commitments, Qin added.
Trilateral Security Talks
--------------
8. Questioned about United States/Australia/Japan
trilateral security talks and concerns about China's
military buildup, Qin noted Premier Wen Jiabao's March
14 NPC press conference focused on China's peaceful
development. He referred the press to Premier Wen's
ten points, hoping this will help the international
community gain a better, more comprehensive
understanding of how China's foreign policy serves its
goal of peaceful development. China is a force for
peace in the Asia/Pacific region and the world, Qin
asserted.
PRC/Japan Relations
--------------
9. When asked about China's relations with Japan, Qin
referred to Premier Wen's statement at his March 14
press conference, saying that Beijing's relations with
Tokyo relations are based on the three PRC/Japan
political documents. Japan should use history as a
mirror and look to the future while handling properly
the Taiwan issue. Asked about Tokyo's response to
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing's recent criticism of
Prime Minister Koizumi for visiting the Yasukuni
Shrine, Qin questioned rhetorically whether Tokyo
should harm and undermine relations by misleading the
public or should guide the media and public opinion in
a correct and comprehensive manner. China hopes Japan
will earnestly express remorse regarding its history,
Qin stated.
10. Asked to clarify Premier Wen's remarks on
PRC/Japan relations, Qin noted Premier Wen described
the three aspects to the relations: strategic
dialogue; cultural exchange; and economic and trade
ties. All are equally important and indispensable.
They ensure all around stable development, Qin said.
Pakistan and South Asia
--------------
11. Asked to describe China's cooperation with
Pakistan and South Asia in light of President
Musharraf's recent visit, Qin cited Premier Wen's
remarks at the National People's Conference (NPC)
BEIJING 00004766 003 OF 003
closing press conference and said China's foreign
policy is designed to promote amicable relations and
partnerships in the region. Relations with Pakistan
are friendly and based on equal respect and mutual
benefit. As a neighbor and friend, China will work
together with Pakistan and other South Asian countries
to deepen ties. Last year, China and Pakistan began
strategic cooperation. President Musharraf's visit
covered a range of bilateral and international
affairs. China will work together with Pakistan and
South Asian countries to promote prosperity and
maintain stability in the South Asia, Qin said.
PRC Hosts African Journalists
--------------
12. Qin noted that 43 African journalists from 23
countries attended the press conference as part of a
PRC-hosted two-week seminar. The seminar is designed
to boost further PRC/Africa friendship and
cooperation. Qin said he hoped the journalists would
report to their countries that China's government and
people value their friendship with Africa and seek to
enhance the relationship. PRC/Africa relations mark
their fiftieth anniversary in 2006 and China will host
the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation in November,
Qin added.
Visits
--------------
13. Brazil's Vice President Jose Alencar will visit
China from March 19 to 24 at the invitation of Vice
President Zeng Qinghong. During the visit, Vice
Premier Wu Yi and VP Alencar will co-chair the first
session of the PRC/Brazil High-level Committee on
Consultation and Cooperation in Beijing. Separately,
President of the Commonwealth of Dominica Nicolas
Liverpool will pay an informal visit to China from
March 19 to 25.
RANDT