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

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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