Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING9507
2006-05-18 11:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
MAY 16 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN, SCO SUMMIT,
how-toVZCZCXRO9341 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH DE RUEHBJ #9507/01 1381139 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 181139Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5790 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1324 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0209 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 6372 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 0544 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0926 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1065
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 009507
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM ECON KNNP CH IR JP
SUBJECT: MAY 16 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN, SCO SUMMIT,
PRC-RUSSIA FM MEETING, SIX-PARTY TALKS, TAIWAN SPY CASE,
UNSGY ANNAN'S VISIT AND EAST CHINA SEA TALKS
Summary
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 009507
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM ECON KNNP CH IR JP
SUBJECT: MAY 16 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN, SCO SUMMIT,
PRC-RUSSIA FM MEETING, SIX-PARTY TALKS, TAIWAN SPY CASE,
UNSGY ANNAN'S VISIT AND EAST CHINA SEA TALKS
Summary
--------------
1. Key points made at the May 18 MFA press briefing
are as follows:
-- China stands ready to help solve the Iran nuclear
issue and hopes the EU-3 proposal will prove to be
feasible and acceptable to Iran.
-- The leaders of all SCO member states and observer
states, including Iran President Ahmadinejad, have
been invited to the sixth SCO Summit in Shanghai on
June 15.
-- FM Li and Russian FM Lavrov discussed border
issues, illegal migration and energy cooperation
during their May 16 meeting in Beijing.
-- China considers groundless reports that a Taiwanese
businessman arrested in the United States was spying
and purchasing U.S. military equipment for China.
-- UNSGY Annan arrives in China on May 19. He will
meet with President Hu and State Councilor Tang
Jiaxuan as well as travel to different parts in China,
including Shenyang.
-- China is still considering Japan's proposal for FM-
level meetings at the Asian Cooperation Dialogue in
Doha May 23-24.
-- The MFA has set up an office focused on providing
assistance to overseas Chinese nationals facing
difficulties like the recent violence in the Solomon
Islands.
Iran Nuclear Issue
--------------
2. China stands ready to press ahead to help solve the
Iranian issue, MFA Spokesperson Liu Jianchao stated
during his regular May 18 press briefing in response
to an NHK reporter's question about Chinese
discussions with the Iranian oil minister. China is
taking a pragmatic and constructive approach and is
encouraging dialogue between Iran and relevant
parties. Beijing hopes the EU-3 proposal will prove
to be feasible and acceptable in order to achieve
progress. Pointing out that China and Iran have
normal relations and cooperate on energy, Liu referred
the questioner to the NDRC for details about China-
Iran energy discussions.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit
-------------- -
3. Liu announced that the 6th SCO Summit will be held
in Shanghai June 15. The leaders of all six SCO
member countries are expected to attend and the
leaders of all SCO observer nations, including Iranian
President Ahmadinejad and international organizatins
that cooperate with the SCO, have been invited. This
is in accordance with the consensusof the SCO
members, Liu said. Member nationswill sign several
documents that will summarize the SCO's achievements
over the last five years and define its future
direction. Liu said that SCO foreign ministers had
exchanged views on the question of increasing SCO
membership during their recent meeting in Beijing and
had decided to study the issue further and work to
improve the legal basis for expanding the SCO.
PRC-Russia Foreign Minister's Meeting
--------------
4. Commenting on FM Li Zhaoxing's May 16 meeting with
Russian FM Segey Lavrov in Beijing, Liu called the
China-Russia relationship a strategic partnership,
with both sides devoted to realizing long term
stability and mutual confidence. Sidestepping a
question on the specifics of bilateral border issues,
Liu said Beijing and Moscow had already reached
agreement on the 4000km border and that the on-going
BEIJING 00009507 002 OF 003
demarcation work is expected to be completed next
year. FM Li and FM Lavrov signed an agreement for the
joint design, construction, management and maintenance
of a bridge over the Argun River. The two foreign
ministers also signed an agreement to set up a joint
workshop on immigration that would increase
coordination and cooperation to stem illegal
migration.
5. Separately, Liu said energy cooperation was an
important part of the China-Russia economic and trade
relationship. The two economies are highly
complementary and this has allowed for the
satisfactory development of energy ties that has
benefited both people. More than 10 million tons of
crude oil was shipped from Russia to China in 2005.
There are also active discussions regarding the
construction of a crude oil pipeline and increasing
Russian natural gas exports to China.
Six-Party Talks
--------------
6. In response to a question about A/S Hill's visit
to Beijing next week, Liu said China maintains close
contact with all of the Six-Party Talks participants,
including the United States. The talks have been
suspended for a long time, but China hopes all parties
can move forward in a pragmatic and constructive
manner so that the talks can be resumed at an early
time. Liu refused to comment specifically when asked
about a New York Times report referring to a new U.S.
approach to the DPRK, saying all parties should take a
conciliatory attitude, be earnest and make pragmatic
efforts to build consensus and achieve progress to
ensure a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.
Taiwan Man Not Spying for China
--------------
7. Liu said China has noted but considers groundless
reports that a businessman from Taiwan has been
arrested in the United States for spying and
attempting to purchase U.S. military equipment for
China. There are rigorous systems in place in China
to regulate the importation of military product, Liu
stated, and no Chinese company would import any
military equipment without appropriate documentation.
Chen Shui-Bian's Stopover in Indonesia
--------------
8. Liu said China made serious representations and
voiced its strong concerns to Indonesia for allowing
Chen Shui-Bian to stopover in Indonesia.
UNSGY Annan's Visit to China, Japan and the ROK
-------------- --
9. Liu said UN Secretary General Kofi Annan would
meet with President Hu Jintai and State Councilor Tang
Jiaxuan to exchange views on major international and
regional issues. During his May 19-23 visit to China,
UNSGY Annan will visit Beijing and Shenyang, as well
as other parts of China. Asked to comment on UNSGY
Annan's visits to Japan and South Korea, Liu said both
are countries of significance in the region and as
such developing better relations with the United
Nations would be helpful to the region. Answering a
question about UNSGY Annan's call for dialogue to
solve disputes, Liu said high level meetings between
China and Japan are important but Japan is responsible
for the lack of such meetings because of visits to the
Yasukuni Shrine. China stands ready to hold meetings,
but Japan needs to create the right atmosphere and
conditions first.
China-Japan FM Meeting
--------------
10. In response to questions regarding a potential
meeting between FM Li and FM Taro Aso in Doha during
the Asian Cooperation Dialogue, Liu said China is
still considering Japan's request.
BEIJING 00009507 003 OF 003
East China Sea Talks
--------------
11. Liu said it was too early to comment on the on-
going Sino-Japanese talks in Tokyo on the East China
Sea dispute, but pointed out that China is maintaining
a responsible attitude to narrow the gap between the
two countries' positions.
PRC Assistance to Overseas Chinese
--------------
12. Responding to a Taiwan reporter's question about
China's preparatins for responding to future
situations like the recent turmoil in the Solomon
Islands, Liu said the MFA has set-up a new office and
is looking at other mechanisms to provide assistance
to overseas Chinese nationals facing difficulties.
China stands ready to assist all Chinese citizens
overseas.
Strategic Partnerships
--------------
13. Asked to comment on the possibility of China
pursuing strategic partnerships with the United States
and other countries, Liu said such partnerships are
the outcomes of bilateral relations that have reached
a "certain stage." China is ready to set-up
partnerships to increase coordination and cooperation
with different countries when it is appropriate. Liu
said the U.S.-China relationship should be
constructive, stable and not directed at other
countries and that Beijing stands ready to work
towards this.
PRC Response to SARS
--------------
14. Asked by an AP reporter to comment about a recent
WHO released book that is critical of China's response
to the SARS outbreak, Liu declared that the Chinese
government and people had been highly responsible and
unified in the fight against SARS, which allowed them
to eradicate the epidemic in a short period of time.
The Chinese government also had a sound, efficient and
cooperative relationship with the WHO and quickly
shared its experiences with the international
community. China hopes others will take an objective
attitude when reviewing China's achievements combating
this epidemic.
East Timor President Visit
--------------
15. Liu announced East Timor President Xanana Gusmao
will visit China May 29-June 3.
RANDT
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM ECON KNNP CH IR JP
SUBJECT: MAY 16 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: IRAN, SCO SUMMIT,
PRC-RUSSIA FM MEETING, SIX-PARTY TALKS, TAIWAN SPY CASE,
UNSGY ANNAN'S VISIT AND EAST CHINA SEA TALKS
Summary
--------------
1. Key points made at the May 18 MFA press briefing
are as follows:
-- China stands ready to help solve the Iran nuclear
issue and hopes the EU-3 proposal will prove to be
feasible and acceptable to Iran.
-- The leaders of all SCO member states and observer
states, including Iran President Ahmadinejad, have
been invited to the sixth SCO Summit in Shanghai on
June 15.
-- FM Li and Russian FM Lavrov discussed border
issues, illegal migration and energy cooperation
during their May 16 meeting in Beijing.
-- China considers groundless reports that a Taiwanese
businessman arrested in the United States was spying
and purchasing U.S. military equipment for China.
-- UNSGY Annan arrives in China on May 19. He will
meet with President Hu and State Councilor Tang
Jiaxuan as well as travel to different parts in China,
including Shenyang.
-- China is still considering Japan's proposal for FM-
level meetings at the Asian Cooperation Dialogue in
Doha May 23-24.
-- The MFA has set up an office focused on providing
assistance to overseas Chinese nationals facing
difficulties like the recent violence in the Solomon
Islands.
Iran Nuclear Issue
--------------
2. China stands ready to press ahead to help solve the
Iranian issue, MFA Spokesperson Liu Jianchao stated
during his regular May 18 press briefing in response
to an NHK reporter's question about Chinese
discussions with the Iranian oil minister. China is
taking a pragmatic and constructive approach and is
encouraging dialogue between Iran and relevant
parties. Beijing hopes the EU-3 proposal will prove
to be feasible and acceptable in order to achieve
progress. Pointing out that China and Iran have
normal relations and cooperate on energy, Liu referred
the questioner to the NDRC for details about China-
Iran energy discussions.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit
-------------- -
3. Liu announced that the 6th SCO Summit will be held
in Shanghai June 15. The leaders of all six SCO
member countries are expected to attend and the
leaders of all SCO observer nations, including Iranian
President Ahmadinejad and international organizatins
that cooperate with the SCO, have been invited. This
is in accordance with the consensusof the SCO
members, Liu said. Member nationswill sign several
documents that will summarize the SCO's achievements
over the last five years and define its future
direction. Liu said that SCO foreign ministers had
exchanged views on the question of increasing SCO
membership during their recent meeting in Beijing and
had decided to study the issue further and work to
improve the legal basis for expanding the SCO.
PRC-Russia Foreign Minister's Meeting
--------------
4. Commenting on FM Li Zhaoxing's May 16 meeting with
Russian FM Segey Lavrov in Beijing, Liu called the
China-Russia relationship a strategic partnership,
with both sides devoted to realizing long term
stability and mutual confidence. Sidestepping a
question on the specifics of bilateral border issues,
Liu said Beijing and Moscow had already reached
agreement on the 4000km border and that the on-going
BEIJING 00009507 002 OF 003
demarcation work is expected to be completed next
year. FM Li and FM Lavrov signed an agreement for the
joint design, construction, management and maintenance
of a bridge over the Argun River. The two foreign
ministers also signed an agreement to set up a joint
workshop on immigration that would increase
coordination and cooperation to stem illegal
migration.
5. Separately, Liu said energy cooperation was an
important part of the China-Russia economic and trade
relationship. The two economies are highly
complementary and this has allowed for the
satisfactory development of energy ties that has
benefited both people. More than 10 million tons of
crude oil was shipped from Russia to China in 2005.
There are also active discussions regarding the
construction of a crude oil pipeline and increasing
Russian natural gas exports to China.
Six-Party Talks
--------------
6. In response to a question about A/S Hill's visit
to Beijing next week, Liu said China maintains close
contact with all of the Six-Party Talks participants,
including the United States. The talks have been
suspended for a long time, but China hopes all parties
can move forward in a pragmatic and constructive
manner so that the talks can be resumed at an early
time. Liu refused to comment specifically when asked
about a New York Times report referring to a new U.S.
approach to the DPRK, saying all parties should take a
conciliatory attitude, be earnest and make pragmatic
efforts to build consensus and achieve progress to
ensure a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.
Taiwan Man Not Spying for China
--------------
7. Liu said China has noted but considers groundless
reports that a businessman from Taiwan has been
arrested in the United States for spying and
attempting to purchase U.S. military equipment for
China. There are rigorous systems in place in China
to regulate the importation of military product, Liu
stated, and no Chinese company would import any
military equipment without appropriate documentation.
Chen Shui-Bian's Stopover in Indonesia
--------------
8. Liu said China made serious representations and
voiced its strong concerns to Indonesia for allowing
Chen Shui-Bian to stopover in Indonesia.
UNSGY Annan's Visit to China, Japan and the ROK
-------------- --
9. Liu said UN Secretary General Kofi Annan would
meet with President Hu Jintai and State Councilor Tang
Jiaxuan to exchange views on major international and
regional issues. During his May 19-23 visit to China,
UNSGY Annan will visit Beijing and Shenyang, as well
as other parts of China. Asked to comment on UNSGY
Annan's visits to Japan and South Korea, Liu said both
are countries of significance in the region and as
such developing better relations with the United
Nations would be helpful to the region. Answering a
question about UNSGY Annan's call for dialogue to
solve disputes, Liu said high level meetings between
China and Japan are important but Japan is responsible
for the lack of such meetings because of visits to the
Yasukuni Shrine. China stands ready to hold meetings,
but Japan needs to create the right atmosphere and
conditions first.
China-Japan FM Meeting
--------------
10. In response to questions regarding a potential
meeting between FM Li and FM Taro Aso in Doha during
the Asian Cooperation Dialogue, Liu said China is
still considering Japan's request.
BEIJING 00009507 003 OF 003
East China Sea Talks
--------------
11. Liu said it was too early to comment on the on-
going Sino-Japanese talks in Tokyo on the East China
Sea dispute, but pointed out that China is maintaining
a responsible attitude to narrow the gap between the
two countries' positions.
PRC Assistance to Overseas Chinese
--------------
12. Responding to a Taiwan reporter's question about
China's preparatins for responding to future
situations like the recent turmoil in the Solomon
Islands, Liu said the MFA has set-up a new office and
is looking at other mechanisms to provide assistance
to overseas Chinese nationals facing difficulties.
China stands ready to assist all Chinese citizens
overseas.
Strategic Partnerships
--------------
13. Asked to comment on the possibility of China
pursuing strategic partnerships with the United States
and other countries, Liu said such partnerships are
the outcomes of bilateral relations that have reached
a "certain stage." China is ready to set-up
partnerships to increase coordination and cooperation
with different countries when it is appropriate. Liu
said the U.S.-China relationship should be
constructive, stable and not directed at other
countries and that Beijing stands ready to work
towards this.
PRC Response to SARS
--------------
14. Asked by an AP reporter to comment about a recent
WHO released book that is critical of China's response
to the SARS outbreak, Liu declared that the Chinese
government and people had been highly responsible and
unified in the fight against SARS, which allowed them
to eradicate the epidemic in a short period of time.
The Chinese government also had a sound, efficient and
cooperative relationship with the WHO and quickly
shared its experiences with the international
community. China hopes others will take an objective
attitude when reviewing China's achievements combating
this epidemic.
East Timor President Visit
--------------
15. Liu announced East Timor President Xanana Gusmao
will visit China May 29-June 3.
RANDT