APRIL 4 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SECRETARY CHERTOFF'S

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 006316 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PARM ECON KNNP CH JP SUBJECT: APRIL 4 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SECRETARY CHERTOFF'S VISIT, CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS, SIX-PARTY TALKS, TAIWAN'S NUCLEAR FACILITIES, ORGAN TRANSPLANTS, LANDMINES, SCO Summary -------------- ¶1. Key points made at the April 4 MFA press briefing are as follows: - Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff and Politburo Standing Committee Member Luo Gan discussed bilateral cooperation in law enforcement, counterterrorism and repatriation of illegal immigrants. - China hopes relevant countries will not politicize illegal immigration issues and is prepared to work with other countries in combating the problem. - President Hu Jintao recently highlighted his determination to improve bilateral Sino-Japanese ties and his statements should be viewed as a very positive signal. - The current deadlock in the Six-Party Talks is primarily due to the lack of trust between the United States and North Korea. - The Chinese Government and the IAEA have reached an agreement on the safeguarding and monitoring of Taiwan's nuclear facilities. - The Falun Gong "plays tricks" to undermine China's stability and foreign relations and its reports on organ harvesting are "rumors." - China abides by international regulations on landmine production and has participated in UN efforts to remove land mines. - Leaders of SCO member and observer countries and some other nations will attend the June SCO Summit in Shanghai. - Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan is paying an April 4- 19 visit to North Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea. - During Turkmenistan President Niyazov's visit to China, the two countries signed an energy cooperation agreement. - Georgian President Saakashvili will visit China April 10-15. Vice Premier Hui Liangyu will visit Poland, Czechoslovakia, Albania and France April 12- ¶25. End Summary. Secretary Chertoff's Visit SIPDIS -------------- ¶2. U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Politburo Standing Committee Member Luo Gan discussed bilateral cooperation in law enforcement, counterterrorism and repatriation of illegal immigrants during their April 4 meeting, MFA Spokesperson Liu Jianchao reported at the regular April 4 MFA press briefing. Stressing Beijing's opposition to illegal immigration, Liu maintained that China repatriates illegal immigrants once their identity has been verified. Illegal immigration is a complicated matter, he remarked, adding that certain countries' granting of political asylum does not help counter illegal migration. China hopes relevant countries will not politicize illegal immigration issues and is prepared to work with these countries to combat the problem. Liu noted that Secretary Chertoff and Chinese officials agreed to promote personnel exchanges for education and business purposes. China appreciates the U.S. decision to offer multi-entry visas to Chinese citizens traveling for these reasons and believes there is still potential to further expand personnel exchanges. Japanese Leaders "Responsible" for Bilateral Problems -------------- -------------- BEIJING 00006316 002 OF 003 ¶3. Questions on President Hu Jintao's reported suggestion about the possibility of resuming China- Japan summit meetings if Japanese leaders stop visiting the Yasukuni Shrine and on the current state of bilateral ties one year after the April 2005 anti- Japanese protests dominated the press briefing. Liu repeatedly stressed that the Japanese leadership, not China or the Japanese people, is responsible for the current difficulties facing Sino-Japanese ties. Japan's leaders have adopted an "erroneous attitude" and insisted on visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, undermining the political basis of bilateral ties. It is inaccurate to say that over the past two years Chinese leaders have not agreed to a summit meeting, Liu remarked. China has made important endeavors to improve ties, but Japan has failed to respond positively in terms of its treatment of historical issues. Beijing calls on Japanese leaders to change their incorrect actions and create conditions for the improvement of relations. ¶4. During his meeting with the delegation of Japanese China-Japan friendship associations led by former Prime Minister Hashimoto, President Hu highlighted his determination to improve bilateral ties. His statements should be viewed as a very positive signal, Liu stressed, expressing the hope that Japanese leaders will recognize and respond positively to China's sincere hope for better relations. Reflecting on last year's anti-Japanese demonstrations, Liu said that China does not view those events as "anti- Japanese" and argued that they were not targeted at the Japanese people but rather at the "erroneous attitude" of the Japanese leadership. The Chinese Government encourages a genuine sense of patriotism among its people that is not intended to incite "narrow nationalist" sentiment. Liu rejected accusations that Beijing has manipulated Chinese patriotism as a tool to handle Sino-Japanese relations, while also criticizing the extreme actions that were taken during the demonstrations. Liu offered no information on the timing of the next round of China-Japan East China Sea negotiations but remarked that China's proposal during the last round would lead to mutual benefit by shelving differences and pursuing joint development. Future of the Six-Party Talks -------------- ¶5. Asked about the possibility that the Six-Party Talks will collapse, Liu argued that the current deadlock is primarily due to the lack of trust between the United States and North Korea and their failure to resolve disputes. He stressed the need to insist on a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and commitment to the Talks' resumption. While China has tried to make a contribution to these goals, the key to a resolution lies in the hands of the United States and North Korea. Liu called on the relevant parties to demonstrate flexibility and sincerity to promote a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and the resumption of the Six-Party Talks. China hopes the various contacts between the parties will help generate positive results. China-Australia Energy Cooperation -------------- ¶6. Asked about reported uranium-related agreements signed during Premier Wen Jiabao's April 1-4 trip to Australia and on Australia's sales of uranium to Taiwan, Liu stated that the Chinese Government and the IAEA have reached an agreement on the safeguarding and monitoring of Taiwan's nuclear facilities. The IAEA has conducted these activities within a nongovernmental framework and in order to ensure their peaceful nature. Liu noted that Premier Wen and his Australian counterparts expressed satisfaction over current bilateral cooperation, including in the areas of energy and natural resources. Bilateral energy cooperation has great potential, and the two countries BEIJING 00006316 003 OF 003 will continue to strengthen cooperation in a manner outlined in bilateral agreements. Falun Gong Accusation and Organ Transplants -------------- ¶7. Asked about reported U.S. inquiries into reports about the harvesting of detained Falun Gong practitioners' organs, Liu insisted that people should not believe such "rumors." The Falun Gong is outlawed in China and "plays tricks" to undermine China's stability and foreign relations. China does not restrict foreigners from receiving organ transplants and Chinese citizens donate these organs voluntarily, Liu maintained. In order to save lives, criminals sentenced to death can voluntarily donate their organs following the same procedures as other donors. Noting the enactment of temporary regulations and the current drafting of a law on organ transplants, Liu remarked that China is working to fill the legal gaps in the organ transplant field. Landmines -------------- ¶8. Although China is not a party to the Ottawa Convention, Beijing supports its principles and has signed the Amended Landmine Protocol, Liu stated in response to a Spanish News Agency reporter's question. China abides by international regulations on landmine production and has participated in UN efforts to remove land mines. Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit -------------- ¶9. The June Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Shanghai will be important for enhancing the SCO's role in economic cooperation, personnel exchanges and regional stability. The leaders of member and observer countries as well as some other nations will attend the Summit. Defense Minister Cao Visits DPRK, Other Asian Nations -------------- -------------- ¶10. Liu confirmed that Cao Gangchuan, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and also Defense Minister, is paying an April 4-19 visit to North Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea. China and North Korea maintain regular military exchanges and cooperation, Liu said. Turkmenistan President's Visit -------------- ¶11. Asked about the content of the energy agreement signed during Turkmenistan President Niyazov's visit to China, Liu simply noted that the two countries' firms signed an energy cooperation agreement during the visit. Upcoming Visits -------------- ¶12. Georgian President Saakashvili will visit China April 10-15, Liu announced. Vice Premier Hui Liangyu will visit Poland, Czechoslovakia, Albania and France April 12-25. RANDT