MARCH 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001676 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL CH SUBJECT: MARCH 13 MFA PRESS BRIEFING ¶1. Key points made at the March 13 MFA press conference were: -- The first denuclearization working group meeting will be held on March 17 chaired by VFM Wu. -- IAEA Chief ElBaradei was briefed by VFM Wu on the Six-Party Talks in Beijing en route to Pyongyang. -- Australia and Japan should consider concerns of third parties when making bilateral security agreements. -- China's position on war reparation cases remains unchanged since the 1972 Joint-Statement and China hopes Japan can handle historical issues "seriously" and consider the "humanitarian factor." -- China hopes Sudan can reach consensus with the UN and AU to take action as soon as possible. -- Chinese officials will visit Australia, other Pacific islands and Pakistan beginning next week and Pakistan FM Khurshid will visit China March 18-21. Denuclearization Working Group to Begin March 17 -------------- --- ¶2. MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang announced at the March 13 regular press briefing that the first meeting of the working group on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula will be held March 17 in Beijing headed by VFM Wu Dawei. The working group meetings should conclude before the Sixth Round of the Six- Party Talks commences on March 19, at which time the activities and achievements of the groups will be reported to the heads of delegations, he said. Qin had no exact information on the other working groups or the times and venues of upcoming Six-Party Talks meetings. IAEA Chief Met VFM Wu En Route to DPRK -------------- ¶3. IAEA Chief Mohamed ElBaradei stopped in Beijing to meet with VFM Wu Dawei en route to Pyongyang where ElBaradei arrived today. VFM Wu briefed ElBaradei on the contents of the Six-Party Talks. China hopes ElBaradei's visit will achieve positive results. Japan-Australia Security Agreement - China Tranquil -------------- -------------- ¶4. Countries enhancing bilateral security cooperation should take into consideration the interests and concerns of relevant countries to increase mutual trust and regional stability, said Qin commenting on the recent signing of a defensive agreement between Japan and Australia. Qin hopes statements that the agreement is not targeted towards China are true and would not draw a connection to increased Chinese military spending. China poses no threat to other countries, has a defensive military policy, follows the UN Charter and upholds the policies of peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial development, said the spokesman. Japan Should Take War Reparations Cases "Seriously" -------------- -------------- ¶5. Asked repeatedly to clarify whether private Chinese citizens have the right to seek wartime reparations from Japan and the Chinese government's position on pending cases, Qin responded all questions could be resolved through a framework with two principles. First, China maintains the position outlined in the 1972 Joint-Statement. Second, China hopes Japan handles the historical issues "seriously" and considers the "humanitarian factor" as forced labor was a major crime of Japanese militarism. Qin would not comment on Abe's recent apology for remarks about comfort women. Sudan, UN, AU Should Take "Real Action" -------------- ¶6. Questioned about Sudan President al-Bashir's letter to the UN calling for restrictions on UN deployment plans, Qin replied the international community has reached consensus in deploying a mixed UN/AU force. China hopes the Sudanese government, UN and AU can reach consensus turning the agreement into "real action." BEIJING 00001676 002 OF 002 Sri Lanka Port Agreement Just Business -------------- ¶7. A recent agreement signed on March 12 between China and Sri Lanka to jointly develop a seaport is a business deal between companies, not a government matter, said Qin. China's friendly relations with Sri Lanka are based on mutual benefit and equality. Visits to Pacific Islands, Pakistan, Russia -------------- ¶8. Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan will visit Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea March 19-31. Minister of Communications Li Shenglin will travel to Pakistan March 18-21 to celebrate the completion of the deep-sea port at Gwadar. Pakistan FM Khurshid Kasuri will pay an official visit to China March 18-21 at the invitation of FM Li Zhaoxing. More information will be released at a later date regarding President Hu's visit to Russia planned for late March. RANDT