Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING8798
2006-05-11 10:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
MAY 11 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DEPUTY SECRETARY'S
how-toVZCZCXRO0991 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH DE RUEHBJ #8798/01 1311016 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 111016Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5001 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA IMMEDIATE 0379 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES IMMEDIATE 0179 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA IMMEDIATE 0475 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO IMMEDIATE 0224 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 1041 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA IMMEDIATE 0917 RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 008798
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PARM ECON KNNP CH IR TW JP
SUBJECT: MAY 11 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DEPUTY SECRETARY'S
STATEMENTS ON CHINA'S POSITION ON DPRK, IRAN AND TAIWAN,
ADMIRAL FALLON, EXCHANGE RATE, CHEN'S LIBYA TRANSIT, YU
JIE, CHINA-JAPAN FM MEETING, DALAI LAMA, HRC, ANNAN'S
VISIT, CULTURAL REVOLUTION
Summary
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 008798
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PARM ECON KNNP CH IR TW JP
SUBJECT: MAY 11 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DEPUTY SECRETARY'S
STATEMENTS ON CHINA'S POSITION ON DPRK, IRAN AND TAIWAN,
ADMIRAL FALLON, EXCHANGE RATE, CHEN'S LIBYA TRANSIT, YU
JIE, CHINA-JAPAN FM MEETING, DALAI LAMA, HRC, ANNAN'S
VISIT, CULTURAL REVOLUTION
Summary
--------------
1. Key points made at the May 11 MFA press briefing
are as follows:
- Noting remarks by "U.S. officials," referring to
Deputy Secretary Zoellick's May 10 Congressional
testimony, the MFA spokesperson asserted that China
has made contributions to ensure a nuclear-free Korean
Peninsula and promote the Six-Party Talks.
- Beijing does not favor "bitterly resorting to the
use or threat of force" in dealing with international
affairs and calls for restraint and a new round of
diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear
issue.
- The United States should cease military sales to and
military exchanges with Taiwan.
- The MFA supports exchanges between the U.S. and
Chinese militaries, which should help enhance mutual
trust.
- China will continue its exchange rate reform,
increase the flexibility of the RMB and strengthen
risk management capabilities.
- Chen Shui-bian's stopover in Libya, in spite of
Beijing's opposition, severely violated Libya's
commitment to its one-China policy and negatively
affected bilateral relations.
- Asked about Chinese activist Yu Jie's reported
meeting with President Bush, the MFA spokesperson
stated that China protects its citizens' freedom of
religious belief.
- Beijing and Tokyo are discussing a possible meeting
between the two foreign ministers.
- The Chinese Government opposes the Dalai Lama's
conducting separatist activities in the international
arena under the "pretext of religion."
- China's election to the UN Human Rights Council will
help promote the global human rights cause and China's
own human rights situation.
- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will visit China May
19-23. End Summary.
U.S.-China Cooperation on North Korea, Iran, Taiwan
-------------- --------------
2. During the regular May 11 MFA press briefing,
several reporters asked about Deputy Secretary
Zoellick's statements in his May 10 testimony to the
House International Relations Committee on China's
role in resolving the North Korean and Iranian nuclear
issues, as well as on U.S. Taiwan policy. MFA
Spokesperson Liu Jianchao asserted that both Beijing
and Washington support resolving the DPRK nuclear
issue through the Six-Party Talks in order to realize
a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula at any early date and
maintain regional stability. North Korea and the
United States are now in a state of confrontation over
financial issues, which have created certain
obstacles, Liu remarked. China is prepared to promote
the early resumption of the Talks and hopes relevant
parties, particularly those who are most involved,
take practical steps to remove the obstacles to the
Six-Party Talks. Noting remarks by "U.S. officials,"
Liu argued that China has made contributions to ensure
a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and promote the Talks,
adding that China also hopes for a prosperous and
stable North Korea.
3. Beijing and Washington are holding discussions on
the Iranian nuclear issue, Liu noted. China strongly
BEIJING 00008798 002 OF 003
SUBJECT: MAY 11 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DEPUTY SECRETARY'S
STATEMENTS ON CHINA'S POSITION ON DPRK, IRAN AND TAIWAN,
ADMIRAL FALLON, EXCHANGE RATE, CHEN'S LIBYA TRANSIT, YU
JIE, CHINA-JAPAN FM MEETING, DALAI LAMA, HRC, ANNAN'S
VISIT, CULTURAL REVOLUTION
supports the protection of the nuclear
nonproliferation regime and the enhancement of
diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue peacefully.
Liu called on all the parties to exercise restraint
and launch a new round of diplomatic efforts.
Regarding the application of sanctions, Beijing does
not favor "bitterly resorting to the use or threat of
force" in dealing with international affairs, he
remarked.
4. Liu stressed that the United States is fully aware
of Beijing's position on Taiwan. China hopes
Washington will strictly abide by its one-China
principle, the Three Joint Communiques and commitment
to "oppose" Taiwan independence. The United States
should also cease military sales to and military
exchanges with Taiwan in order to safeguard cross-
Strait peace and stability and maintain positive U.S.-
China relations.
Admiral Fallon's Visit
--------------
5. Asked by the Bloomberg correspondent about Admiral
Fallon's visit to China, Liu asserted that military-
to-military relations are an important component of
the U.S.-China relationship. The MFA supports
exchanges between the two militaries, which should
help enhance mutual trust, he stated. Admiral Fallon
met Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan and also plans to
visit Xi'an, Hangzhou and Shenyang.
U.S. Treasury Report
--------------
6. Asked by the UPI correspondent to comment on the
decision released in the recent U.S. Department of
Treasury report not to designate China a currency
manipulator, Liu remarked that China has taken a
highly responsible attitude in this area. Beijing has
taken steps in reforming the RMB exchange rate based
on the actual economic conditions of China and the
region. China will continue its exchange rate reform,
increase the flexibility of the RMB and strengthen
risk management capabilities in order to maintain the
stability of the RMB in a rational manner, he said.
Chen's Libya Transit
--------------
7. Responding to the Xinhua reporter's inquiry into
Chen Shui-bian's recent transit through Libya, Liu
remarked that despite China's opposition and urgings,
Libya insisted on approving Chen's stopover and also
discussed the establishment of representative offices.
These actions severely violated Libya's commitment to
its one-China policy and negatively affected China-
Libya relations. Beijing has expressed its
dissatisfaction and calls on Libya to cease all forms
of official exchanges with Taiwan in order to protect
the overall interests of bilateral ties.
Yu Jie's Washington Visit
--------------
8. Asked about Chinese activist Yu Jie's reported
meeting with President Bush, Liu noted the media
report and asserted that China protects its citizens'
freedom of religious belief. This is an
internationally recognized fact to which China hopes
relevant parties will pay attention, he stated.
Potential China-Japan FMs Meeting
--------------
9. Asked by the Kyodo correspondent what are the
necessary conditions for a China-Japan foreign
ministers' meeting, Liu stressed that visits by a
"handful of Japanese leaders" to the Yasukuni Shrine
have created obstacles to the normal development of
bilateral ties. China wishes to remove these
BEIJING 00008798 003 OF 003
SUBJECT: MAY 11 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DEPUTY SECRETARY'S
STATEMENTS ON CHINA'S POSITION ON DPRK, IRAN AND TAIWAN,
ADMIRAL FALLON, EXCHANGE RATE, CHEN'S LIBYA TRANSIT, YU
JIE, CHINA-JAPAN FM MEETING, DALAI LAMA, HRC, ANNAN'S
VISIT, CULTURAL REVOLUTION
obstacles and improve relations. Beijing and Tokyo
are discussing a possible meeting between the two
foreign ministers, Liu stated, highlighting that China
hopes Japan will recognize its sincerity to better
relations. Asked about the Japanese Government's
plans to invite Chinese students to visit on an
exchange program, Liu said that China appreciates
Tokyo's efforts to promote cultural exchanges and
friendship between the two countries, particularly
among youth, and stands ready to enhance such
cooperation.
Dalai Lama
--------------
10. Asked about the Dalai Lama's recent trip to South
America and Xinhua reports that he inspired a conflict
between Tibetan monks, Liu argued that the Dalai Lama
is not purely a religious figure but rather a
political exile engaged in separatist activities. The
Dalai Lama "clique" has never abandoned its
independence position. The Chinese Government opposes
the Dalai Lama's conducting separatist activities in
the international arena under the "pretext of
religion," Liu remarked. China hopes relevant
countries remain very alert.
Human Rights Council
--------------
11. Questioned by the Middle East News Agency
correspondent about China's plans as a newly elected
member of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC),Liu noted
that China received 146 of 191 votes. China's
election will help promote the global human rights
cause and China's own human rights situation.
UNSYG Annan's Visit
--------------
12. Liu announced that UN Secretary General (UNSYG)
Kofi Annan will visit China May 19-23 and meet with
President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and State
Councilor Tang Jiaxuan. China and the UNSYG maintain
close contact and both expect the visit to cover
important international issues, including the DPRK
nuclear issue, Liu stated in response to a question on
the specific visit agenda.
Cultural Revolution Anniversary
--------------
13. Asked by the AFP correspondent to comment on the
upcoming 40th anniversary of the beginning of the
Cultural Revolution, Liu remarked that the Chinese
Communist Party (CCP) has already reached a conclusion
on the Cultural Revolution that can be found in CCP
documents.
RANDT
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PARM ECON KNNP CH IR TW JP
SUBJECT: MAY 11 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DEPUTY SECRETARY'S
STATEMENTS ON CHINA'S POSITION ON DPRK, IRAN AND TAIWAN,
ADMIRAL FALLON, EXCHANGE RATE, CHEN'S LIBYA TRANSIT, YU
JIE, CHINA-JAPAN FM MEETING, DALAI LAMA, HRC, ANNAN'S
VISIT, CULTURAL REVOLUTION
Summary
--------------
1. Key points made at the May 11 MFA press briefing
are as follows:
- Noting remarks by "U.S. officials," referring to
Deputy Secretary Zoellick's May 10 Congressional
testimony, the MFA spokesperson asserted that China
has made contributions to ensure a nuclear-free Korean
Peninsula and promote the Six-Party Talks.
- Beijing does not favor "bitterly resorting to the
use or threat of force" in dealing with international
affairs and calls for restraint and a new round of
diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear
issue.
- The United States should cease military sales to and
military exchanges with Taiwan.
- The MFA supports exchanges between the U.S. and
Chinese militaries, which should help enhance mutual
trust.
- China will continue its exchange rate reform,
increase the flexibility of the RMB and strengthen
risk management capabilities.
- Chen Shui-bian's stopover in Libya, in spite of
Beijing's opposition, severely violated Libya's
commitment to its one-China policy and negatively
affected bilateral relations.
- Asked about Chinese activist Yu Jie's reported
meeting with President Bush, the MFA spokesperson
stated that China protects its citizens' freedom of
religious belief.
- Beijing and Tokyo are discussing a possible meeting
between the two foreign ministers.
- The Chinese Government opposes the Dalai Lama's
conducting separatist activities in the international
arena under the "pretext of religion."
- China's election to the UN Human Rights Council will
help promote the global human rights cause and China's
own human rights situation.
- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will visit China May
19-23. End Summary.
U.S.-China Cooperation on North Korea, Iran, Taiwan
-------------- --------------
2. During the regular May 11 MFA press briefing,
several reporters asked about Deputy Secretary
Zoellick's statements in his May 10 testimony to the
House International Relations Committee on China's
role in resolving the North Korean and Iranian nuclear
issues, as well as on U.S. Taiwan policy. MFA
Spokesperson Liu Jianchao asserted that both Beijing
and Washington support resolving the DPRK nuclear
issue through the Six-Party Talks in order to realize
a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula at any early date and
maintain regional stability. North Korea and the
United States are now in a state of confrontation over
financial issues, which have created certain
obstacles, Liu remarked. China is prepared to promote
the early resumption of the Talks and hopes relevant
parties, particularly those who are most involved,
take practical steps to remove the obstacles to the
Six-Party Talks. Noting remarks by "U.S. officials,"
Liu argued that China has made contributions to ensure
a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and promote the Talks,
adding that China also hopes for a prosperous and
stable North Korea.
3. Beijing and Washington are holding discussions on
the Iranian nuclear issue, Liu noted. China strongly
BEIJING 00008798 002 OF 003
SUBJECT: MAY 11 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DEPUTY SECRETARY'S
STATEMENTS ON CHINA'S POSITION ON DPRK, IRAN AND TAIWAN,
ADMIRAL FALLON, EXCHANGE RATE, CHEN'S LIBYA TRANSIT, YU
JIE, CHINA-JAPAN FM MEETING, DALAI LAMA, HRC, ANNAN'S
VISIT, CULTURAL REVOLUTION
supports the protection of the nuclear
nonproliferation regime and the enhancement of
diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue peacefully.
Liu called on all the parties to exercise restraint
and launch a new round of diplomatic efforts.
Regarding the application of sanctions, Beijing does
not favor "bitterly resorting to the use or threat of
force" in dealing with international affairs, he
remarked.
4. Liu stressed that the United States is fully aware
of Beijing's position on Taiwan. China hopes
Washington will strictly abide by its one-China
principle, the Three Joint Communiques and commitment
to "oppose" Taiwan independence. The United States
should also cease military sales to and military
exchanges with Taiwan in order to safeguard cross-
Strait peace and stability and maintain positive U.S.-
China relations.
Admiral Fallon's Visit
--------------
5. Asked by the Bloomberg correspondent about Admiral
Fallon's visit to China, Liu asserted that military-
to-military relations are an important component of
the U.S.-China relationship. The MFA supports
exchanges between the two militaries, which should
help enhance mutual trust, he stated. Admiral Fallon
met Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan and also plans to
visit Xi'an, Hangzhou and Shenyang.
U.S. Treasury Report
--------------
6. Asked by the UPI correspondent to comment on the
decision released in the recent U.S. Department of
Treasury report not to designate China a currency
manipulator, Liu remarked that China has taken a
highly responsible attitude in this area. Beijing has
taken steps in reforming the RMB exchange rate based
on the actual economic conditions of China and the
region. China will continue its exchange rate reform,
increase the flexibility of the RMB and strengthen
risk management capabilities in order to maintain the
stability of the RMB in a rational manner, he said.
Chen's Libya Transit
--------------
7. Responding to the Xinhua reporter's inquiry into
Chen Shui-bian's recent transit through Libya, Liu
remarked that despite China's opposition and urgings,
Libya insisted on approving Chen's stopover and also
discussed the establishment of representative offices.
These actions severely violated Libya's commitment to
its one-China policy and negatively affected China-
Libya relations. Beijing has expressed its
dissatisfaction and calls on Libya to cease all forms
of official exchanges with Taiwan in order to protect
the overall interests of bilateral ties.
Yu Jie's Washington Visit
--------------
8. Asked about Chinese activist Yu Jie's reported
meeting with President Bush, Liu noted the media
report and asserted that China protects its citizens'
freedom of religious belief. This is an
internationally recognized fact to which China hopes
relevant parties will pay attention, he stated.
Potential China-Japan FMs Meeting
--------------
9. Asked by the Kyodo correspondent what are the
necessary conditions for a China-Japan foreign
ministers' meeting, Liu stressed that visits by a
"handful of Japanese leaders" to the Yasukuni Shrine
have created obstacles to the normal development of
bilateral ties. China wishes to remove these
BEIJING 00008798 003 OF 003
SUBJECT: MAY 11 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DEPUTY SECRETARY'S
STATEMENTS ON CHINA'S POSITION ON DPRK, IRAN AND TAIWAN,
ADMIRAL FALLON, EXCHANGE RATE, CHEN'S LIBYA TRANSIT, YU
JIE, CHINA-JAPAN FM MEETING, DALAI LAMA, HRC, ANNAN'S
VISIT, CULTURAL REVOLUTION
obstacles and improve relations. Beijing and Tokyo
are discussing a possible meeting between the two
foreign ministers, Liu stated, highlighting that China
hopes Japan will recognize its sincerity to better
relations. Asked about the Japanese Government's
plans to invite Chinese students to visit on an
exchange program, Liu said that China appreciates
Tokyo's efforts to promote cultural exchanges and
friendship between the two countries, particularly
among youth, and stands ready to enhance such
cooperation.
Dalai Lama
--------------
10. Asked about the Dalai Lama's recent trip to South
America and Xinhua reports that he inspired a conflict
between Tibetan monks, Liu argued that the Dalai Lama
is not purely a religious figure but rather a
political exile engaged in separatist activities. The
Dalai Lama "clique" has never abandoned its
independence position. The Chinese Government opposes
the Dalai Lama's conducting separatist activities in
the international arena under the "pretext of
religion," Liu remarked. China hopes relevant
countries remain very alert.
Human Rights Council
--------------
11. Questioned by the Middle East News Agency
correspondent about China's plans as a newly elected
member of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC),Liu noted
that China received 146 of 191 votes. China's
election will help promote the global human rights
cause and China's own human rights situation.
UNSYG Annan's Visit
--------------
12. Liu announced that UN Secretary General (UNSYG)
Kofi Annan will visit China May 19-23 and meet with
President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and State
Councilor Tang Jiaxuan. China and the UNSYG maintain
close contact and both expect the visit to cover
important international issues, including the DPRK
nuclear issue, Liu stated in response to a question on
the specific visit agenda.
Cultural Revolution Anniversary
--------------
13. Asked by the AFP correspondent to comment on the
upcoming 40th anniversary of the beginning of the
Cultural Revolution, Liu remarked that the Chinese
Communist Party (CCP) has already reached a conclusion
on the Cultural Revolution that can be found in CCP
documents.
RANDT