FEBRUARY 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001015 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL CH SUBJECT: FEBRUARY 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING ¶1. Key points made at the February 13 MFA Press Conference were: -- News on the Six-Party Talks will be released later in the day after a "important meeting" has concluded. -- Journalists must abide by new Olympic regulations and local regulations when working in Tibet, along with the constraints of the natural environment. -- Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan's reported promise of no more anti-satellite tests was not confirmed. China's interest in an international ban on space weaponization was restated. -- M Li Zhaoxing will visit Japan on Thursday to meet PM Abe and FM Aso. -- Sri Lanka's President will visit China February 26-March 4. Six-Party Talks -------------- ¶2. MFA Spokesperson Jiang Yu said at the February 13 regular press brieing that all information relevant to the Six-Party Talks would be released by the Six-Party Talks press center this afternoon. Jiang deflected all questions regarding the Talks, saying only that an important meeting would take place this afternoon. New Reporting Regulations Apply to Tibet -------------- ¶3. In light of numerous recent refusals to allow reporting in Tibet, a reporter asked if new Olympic reporting regulations on foreign journalists still applied to work in the province. Jiang said that the refusals were due to constraints imposed by the natural environment and clarified that in granting access for journalists, officials must abide by the new national regulations and local regulations while considering present conditions. ¶4. Despite repeated questions from reporters, Jiang would not confirm reports in the Japanese media that Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan told former Japanese Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro that China would not conduct another anti-satellite test. Jiang reiterated China's commitment to the peaceful development and peaceful exploration of space, opposition to the weaponization of space and refusal to participate in a space arms race. China, Russia and other countries have made specific proposals at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva to prohibit the weaponization of space. China is ready to adopt a UN resolution on the matter and take joint efforts with the international community in this regard. FM Li to Meet Abe and Aso -------------- ¶5. Jiang did not confirm whether President Hu was still planning to visit Japan this year when asked by reporters, but provided details on other high level visits. FM Li has departed China for a visit to India and will travel to Japan on February 15 where he will meet with PM Abe and FM Aso to further improve China-Japan relations and prepare for Premier Wen's upcoming visit. Putin Criticizes United States NATO Policy -------------- ¶6. When asked to comment on President Putin's criticism of United States' NATO policies, Jiang expressed China's hope that both sides can take advantage of opportunities for cooperation to deal with challenges to the relationship and work to build a world of common prosperity and harmony. South Korea Fire -------------- ¶7. When prompted by Chinese media for more information on the recent death of Chinese citizens in a fire at the Yeosu detention center in the ROK, Jiang said that the Chinese government attaches great importance to this issue and hopes local officials will make all efforts to rescue the injured, take measures to prevent this type of incident from reoccurring and conduct a full investigation. Local Chinese Embassy officials are on the scene monitoring the situation and dealing with the aftermath. Position Unchanged on Repatriation of Lai -------------- ¶8. When asked about the case of Lai Changxing, a fugitive BEIJING 00001015 002 OF 002 accused of running a smuggling operation who has been in Canada since 1999, Jiang said China's position has not changed and Lai's repatriation is in the common interests of both Canada and China. Sir Lankan President to Visit China -------------- ¶9. President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka will visit China February 26-March 4 at the invitation of President Hu Jintao. When asked whether the President's visit and the reported visit of Sri Lanka's Deputy Prime Minister and lead negotiator in the Sri Lankan peace negotiations signified China's willingness to get involved in the Sri Lankan peace process, Jiang said she had no relevant information. SEDNEY