Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING6316
2006-04-04 11:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

APRIL 4 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SECRETARY CHERTOFF'S

Tags:  PREL PHUM PARM ECON KNNP CH JP 
pdf how-to read a cable
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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
-------

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