MARCH 15 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, BDA,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001761 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM MNUC KN KS JA CH PK SUBJECT: MARCH 15 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, BDA, ELBARADEI IN CHINA, THEFT OF HIGH-TECH, HUMAN RIGHTS, JAPANESE WAR REPARATIONS ¶1. Key points made at the March 15 MFA press conference were: -- China deeply regrets the U.S. Treasury Department ruling on Banco Delta Asia and seeks a solution conducive to the spirit of the Six-Party Talks and beneficial to Macau's stability. -- The denuclearization working group will meet March 17 in Beijing. -- IAEA Chief ElBaradei discussed Iran and the DPRK with AFM Cui today. -- FBI investigations into theft of U.S. high-tech "secrets" by Chinese companies are "groundless." -- War reparations against Japan should be decided based on joint interpretations of the China-Japan Joint Statement. -- The spokesman deflected questions on whether Americans ever seek asylum in China and screening of foreign reporters' questions for Premier Wen's upcoming press conference. Six-Party Talks: BDA and Working Groups -------------- ¶2. MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang took numerous questions on the United States Treasury Department ruling on Banco Delta Asia of Macau, voicing China,s &deep regret8 over the decision. China feels the United States handling of the financial issue should promote the Six-Party Talks and be beneficial to the financial and social stability of Macau, Qin said. He did not specify why China was disappointed with the ruling, nor would he comment on the ruling,s potential effect on the progress of the Six-Party Talks. Qin urged reporters to further analyze China's two criteria, adding that they could not be partially satisfied. China holds a firm position against money laundering and counterfeit products and has taken effective measures in this respect according to international norms and regulations. The Macau SAR government is semi-autonomous under China's &One country, Two systems8 principle. Macau released a statement on the ruling this morning and will properly address the matter in accordance with the law, Qin said. ¶3. The denuclearization working group will being March 17 at 10 a.m. at Diaoyutai, Qin said, reading off the names of each country's head of delegation, including A/S Hill. ElBaradei Met AFM Cui in Beijing -------------- ¶4. IAEA Chief ElBaradei discussed the Iranian and DPRK nuclear issues with AFM Cui in Beijing March 15 after returning from Pyongyang, Qin said. He then departed for Vienna. FBI Investigations Groundless -------------- ¶5. Qin claimed current FBI investigations into Chinese companies stealing high-tech "secrets" from the United States were &groundless." China has friendly cooperation with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. Chinese companies active in foreign countries operate in accordance with local laws. Qin said China could not accept these baseless accusations and could not understand why others regarded China as a threat r thief, calling those making such allegation &psychologically fragile." Human Rights & Premier Wen's Press Conference -------------- ¶6. Qin avoided a reporter's question on China's Human Rights Report on the United States, in which the reporter asked how many Americans sought asylum in China during 2006? He did not directly answer a question on whether the MFA was contacting foreign reporters to screen their possible questions for Premier Wen's upcoming press conference but admitted that all reporters will not be able to ask Wen questions because of time constraints. Japan War Reparations -------------- ¶7. Chinese media asked Qin to comment on a debate in Japan's high court about Chinese war reparations. Qin said the China-Japan Joint Statement is a serious political and diplomatic document that provides the political foundation for bilateral ties after World War II. Neither side can BEIJING 00001761 002 OF 002 unilaterally interpret the document, including through judicial explanations. How Many Treaties Again? -------------- ¶8. A reporter claimed that NPC Chair Wu Bangguo announced China had ratified 18 treaties and three international conventions in 2006 and asked the Spokesman to name all those treaties. After having a staff member conduct some research, Qin said China signed nine multilateral conventions in 2006 and had no further comment on the discrepancy with the number attributed to Wu. Pakistan FM Visit -------------- ¶9. Pakistan FM Kasuri will discuss bilateral and regional issues of common concern during his previously announced March 18-21 visit. RANDT