FEBRUARY 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001015

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SIPDIS

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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

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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