PRC MAY 23 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK FM TO VISIT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 009934 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL CH JP KN GE SUBJECT: PRC MAY 23 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK FM TO VISIT CHINA, A/S HILL'S BEIJING VISIT, CHINA-JAPAN FM MEETING, HAMAS FM VISIT, MONTENEGRO REFERENDUM. Summary -------------- ¶1. Key points made at the May 23 MFA press briefing are as follows: -- DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun will visit China May 30-June 6 for talks on bilateral and regional security issues, meet senior PRC leaders and tour Guangzhou. -- EAP A/S Christopher Hill will visit Beijing May 24- 25 to meet with VFM Wu Dawei to exchange views on the Six-Party Talks. The Six-Party Talks are facing "severe difficulties." -- PRC FM Li Zhaoxing will meet with Japan FM Taro Aso at the Doha summit on May 23. -- The U.S. and China should drop trade barriers to trade in high tech in order to maintain bilateral trade growth momentum. -- China invited all members of the China-Arab Forum, including the Palestinian Authority, to send representatives to Beijing. -- China respects the results of the Montenegro referendum and believes the two sides can work out their difficulties through friendly consultation. -- China was among countries that aided Iran's peaceful nuclear program under IAEA and NPT guidelines. Beijing will not accept groundless accusations regarding peaceful nuclear assistance. -- German Chancellor Merkel discussed human rights and trade issues with leaders in Beijing. -- UN SYG Annan discussed regional and China-Japan relations during his China visit. End Summary. DPRK Foreign Minister to Visit Beijing, Guangzhou -------------- -------------- ¶2. North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun will visit Beijing and Guangzhou, May 30-June 6, MFA Spokesperson Liu Jianchao stated during his regular May 23 press briefing. Paek will hold talks with FM Li Zhaoxing and other PRC leaders on regional and international issues. Paek will also visit Guangzhou to promote understanding of China's path of national development. A/S Hill to Visit Beijing -------------- ¶3. Asked about the upcoming visit by EAP A/S Christopher Hill to Beijing May 24-25, Liu said that A/S Hill will meet with Asian Department VFM Wu Dawei to exchange views on the Six-Party Talks. The Six- Party Talks are facing "severe difficulties," Liu said and China urges all Parties to take a flexible and pragmatic approach so the Talks can resume. China-Japan FM to Meet in Doha -------------- ¶4. PRC FM Li and Japan FM Aso are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting on May 23 during the Asia Cooperation Dialogue in Doha, Liu said. China and Japan will exchange in-depth views on international and bilateral relations. Beijing hopes Japan will work to improve its relations with China. Japanese leaders' visits to Yasukuni Shrine are the main crux of differences between the two sides and the issue "definitely" will be discussed. The agenda for the meeting has been under discussion for weeks. U.S.-China Hi-Tech Trade -------------- BEIJING 00009934 002 OF 002 ¶5. Asked for comment on developments in U.S.-China trade relations, Liu said that the U.S. and China should adopt trade measures benefiting both sides to maintain trade momentum and discard the Cold War mentality limiting American hi-tech exports to China. Hamas Foreign Minister to Visit -------------- ¶6. Regarding reports that Hamas Foreign Minister Mahmoud Al-Zahar will visit China, Liu stated that the PRC invited all members of the China-Arab Forum, including the Palestinian Authority, to send representatives to Beijing in late May. China values its relationship with Israel and does not think its bilateral relations will be undermined by the visit of the Hamas FM. Montenegro Referendum -------------- ¶7. Asked about Beijing's view toward the independence referendum in Montenegro, Liu said that China respects the results of the referendum and believes the two sides can work out their difficulties through friendly consultation. China's Assistance to Iran -------------- ¶8. Asked about reports on China's assistance to Iran's nuclear program, Liu said that China was among several countries that aided Iran and that its aid was in accordance with IAEA and NPT guidelines. Beijing will not accept "groundless accusations" regarding its peaceful nuclear assistance. Merkel in China -------------- ¶9. German Chancellor Angela Merkel exchanged views on human rights during her meetings with PRC leaders, Liu said in response to questions about the visit. China wants to step up its human rights dialogue with Germany, as with other countries, on the basis of equality and mutual respect. Regarding the EU arms embargo, Beijing hopes that Germany will play a constructive role addressing China's concerns during Germany's upcoming EU presidency. Annan in China -------------- ¶10. PRC leaders discussed North East Asia, UN reform and China-Japan relations with UN SYG Kofi Annan during his May 19-23 visit to China. Liu said that SYG Annan is aware of China's position regarding Japan and the SYG hopes for an improvement in Sino-Japanese relations. RANDT