MARCH 8TH MFA PRESS BRIEFING: HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001566 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM ENRG XM JA AO PE CH SUBJECT: MARCH 8TH MFA PRESS BRIEFING: HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT, SIX-PARTY TALKS, SECRETARY GATES ON CHINA, MILITARY SPENDING, AIRCRAFT CARRIER, COMFORT WOMEN, ANGOLA REFINERY, ILLEGAL CHINESE IN LATIN AMERICA ¶1. Key points made at the March 8 MFA Press Conference were: -- China's State Council issued a report on the Human Rights Record of the United States in 2006 as "a mirror for the United States to view its own human rights" situation and to question American "double standards" in criticizing other nations' human rights. -- News on Six-Party denuclearization working groups will be released before March 19. The MFA has no information on Kim Kye-gwan's visit to Beijing. -- China hopes the United States Defense Secretary's comments that China is a strategic partner are sincere. China's first ever aircraft carrier would be used to safeguard sovereignty and rights in the high seas. -- Japan should appropriately deal with comfort women and history issues with the goal of improving bilateral relations. -- An oil project with Angola that failed due to reported Chinese profiteering was a natural commercial exchange. -- Amid reports of a rise in illegal Chinese immigrants in Latin America, China stands firm against human smuggling. Human Rights Reports -------------- ¶2. MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang said at the March 8 regular press briefing that the Human Rights Record of the United States in 2006 issued today by China's State Council Information Office serves as "a mirror for United States to view its own human rights condition" and "understand why it has no right to use double standards in criticizing other countries." Qin continued, saying the MFA would give the State Department copies of the "Four Books and Five Classics" of Chinese literature as a guide to good governance. Asked if the report constituted a double standard on China's part by interfering in the domestic affairs of the United States, Qin referred the reporter to his previous statement. Meetings of US-DPRK, Japan-DPRK -------------- ¶3. Qin announced that news on the working groups for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula would be released before March 19. China hopes Japan and the DPRK can solve their disputes in proper and timely fashion so as to move toward the normalization of relations and talks between the two sides taking place in Hanoi signify an important step in the implementation of the initial actions, Qin said. He praised the positive attitude of the United States and DPRK sides, giving no information on Kim Kye-gwan's visit to Beijing. Military Issues: Gates' Comments, Aircraft Carrier -------------- -------------- ¶4. China hopes that comments by Secretary of Defense Gates are "sincere," Qin said, responding to questions about recent Senate testimony by Defense Secretary Gates that China is a strategic partner of the United States, not an enemy. China looks to increase cooperation, mutual trust and understanding with the United States. ¶5. When asked to provide information and justification for Chinese Navy plans to build an aircraft carrier by 2010, Qin explained China must adequately protect its long sea boarder while safeguarding its sovereignty and "sea rights". China has a defensive military policy that is not expansionist and will not enter into any arms race. Japan Should Properly Deal with Comfort Women -------------- ¶6. Qin referred to abuse of comfort women as one of the serious crimes committed by Japanese militarists. China hopes Japan will seriously and properly deal with comfort women and other historical issues with the goal of improving bilateral relations. Qin did not confirm if Wen would discuss these issues in his upcoming visit to Tokyo. Angola Oil Snub a Normal Commercial Exchange -------------- ¶7. A Portuguese reporter asked for comment on recent reports that Angola has ended talks with Sinopec on a $4 billion refinery project BEIJING 00001566 002 OF 002 due to Chinese profiteering. Qin said the process was a normal part of "commercial exchange," while reaffirming China's fair and mutually beneficial trade practices and the importance of cooperation with African countries. China Investigates Illegal Immigrants in S. America -------------- -------------- ¶8. China stands firmly against the "worldwide issue" of illegal immigration and human smuggling, said Qin when asked about conflicts in Peru, Columbia and Argentina in recent months involving Chinese illegal immigrants, mostly from Fujian Province. China continues to counter such activities through law enforcement, education and various measures dictated by international treaties to which China is a signatory. In the case of Peru, China is conducting an investigation, which will be followed by repatriation if necessary and will handle the matter in accordance with the law.