Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING9934
2006-05-23 10:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

PRC MAY 23 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DPRK FM TO VISIT

Tags:  PREL CH JP KN GE 
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VZCZCXRO3942
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH
DE RUEHBJ #9934/01 1431002
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 231002Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6252
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1331
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1936
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0629
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1093
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0929
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
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
-------

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