JANUARY 9 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: ANTI-TERROR RAID,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 000189 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KN KS JA TW CH SUBJECT: JANUARY 9 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: ANTI-TERROR RAID, WMD SANCTIONS, CHEN SHUI-BIAN TO US, CHINA IN AFRICA, SIX-PARTY TALKS, JAPAN-DPRK TALKS, VISITS TO JAPAN, HOSTAGES IN NIGERIA, OLMERT VISIT, PAKISTAN AND G77, FOREIGN CORRESPONSENTS CLUB, VISITS: TAJIKISTAN, EUROPEAN COMMISSION, ECUADOR ¶1. Key Points at the January 9 MFA Press Conference were: -- Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region public security forces "responded to resistance" at a terrorist training camp of the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM),killing 18 terrorists and arresting 17. -- China firmly opposes the United States "groundless" sanctions on Chinese companies suspected of selling WMD and urges the US to correct its erroneous practices. -- MFA Spokesman firmly refuses an "inappropriate" question by a Taiwan media reporter regarding Chen Shui-bian's planned stopover in the United States. -- China hopes the United States and the DPRK can eliminate the necessary obstacles to resume the Six-Party Talks as early as possible. -- China endorses Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Taku Yamasaki's upcoming trip to Pyongyang as such communication is conducive to the stability of Northeast Asia. -- France's Segolene Royal recognizes that both the speed and harmony of China's development is conducive to peace and stability in the world but also provides an opportunity for Europe. -- The President of Tajikistan will visit China January 15-21, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations, will visit China January 16-18 and China's Minister of Construction Wang Guangtao will attend Ecuador's presidential inauguration ceremony on January 15. 18 TERRORISTS KILLED IN NORTHWEST CHINA ANTI-TERROR RAID -------------- -------------- ¶2. MFA Spokesman Liu Jianchao gave details in the regular January 9 press briefing regarding a raid on an East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) terrorist training camp in the Pamir mountain region of China, in which Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region public security forces "responded to resistance" killing 18 terrorists, arresting 17 and confiscating 22 anti-tank grenades and 1500 unfinished anti-tank grenade. Liu added that one policeman was killed and one was wounded and notedevidence that the ETIM, which is recognized b the UN as a terrorist organization, has coorinated with international terrorist forces to pan ats �00A;of terrorism. Asked why the raid ws conducted by local public security organizaions as opposed to national or international orces, Liu said only that China works with its Central Asian neighbors and members of the Sanghai Cooperation Organization to combat "the three forces" (terrorism, splittism and extremism) in order to safeguard the peace and interests of all people in the region. Liu said he had no specifics when asked about the nationalities of the suspected terrorists, but stated that the terrorists would be dealt with in accordance with law. China Calls U.S. Sanctions on Chinese Companies Groundless -------------- - ¶3. The U.S. sanctions against three Chinese companies suspected of involvement in the selling of weapons of mass destruction were carried out in accordance with domestic law without evidence, said Liu in response to a reporter's question on sanctions announced by the State Department last week. China firmly opposes the sanctions and urges the United States to correct its erroneous practices. Chen Shui-bian to U.S., Taiwan Accuses China of Buying Friends in Africa -------------- -- ¶4. Asked by a reporter from the Taiwan media to comment on Taiwan "President" Chen Shui-bian's in-transit stopovers planned in the United States and their effect on China-United States relations, Liu denounced the question as improper for a Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefing and scolded the reporter who, "as a Chinese citizen," should respect the One China principle. There is only one legitimate government of China, Liu said, adding that he had already given his position on the issue the day before. ¶5. Liu reprimanded Taiwan authorities for playing "the thief who accuses others of theft" in response to a reporter's question on Taiwan allegations that China has enticed African nations with loans in return for diplomatic recognition. BEIJING 00000189 002 OF 003 SUBJECT: JANUARY 9 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: ANTI-TERROR RAID, WMD SANCTIONS, CHEN SHUI-BIAN TO US, CHINA IN AFRICA, SIX-PARTY TALKS, JAPAN-DPRK TALKS, VISITS TO JAPAN, HOSTAGES IN NIGERIA, OLMERT VISIT, PAKISTAN AND G77, FOREIGN CORRESPONSENTS CLUB, VISITS: TAJIKISTAN, EUROPEAN COMMISSION, ECUADOR China's relationship with Africa is based on equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect, said Liu. Six-Pary Talks to Resume Soon? -------------- ¶6. Asked if the Six-Party Talks would resume this month or even this year, Liu said the Talks constitute a complicated and arduous task and China hopes the United States and DPRK can eliminate the necessary obstacles to resume the Talks as early as possible. All parties are making efforts to resolve the nuclear issue, but must be patient and demonstrate wisdom and sincerity, said Liu. Liu held that an important consensus was reached during the second phase of the Fifth Round of the Talks, and the countries involved will seek to expand on this consensus and solve their differences. China Supports Japanese Lawmaker's Visit to DPRK -------------- --- ¶7. China hopes that Japan and the DPRK can make efforts to increase exchange, communication and mutual trust during Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Taku Yamasaki's upcoming trip to Pyongyang, when asked what role China will play in relations between the two countries. Liu said China endorses such communication as it is conducive to the stability of Northeast Asia. Reporter Says Hu Jintao to Visit Japan in June -------------- - ¶8. Asked by a reporter from Bloomberg to confirm a rumor that President Hu Jintao has agreed to visit Japan this June, Liu suggested that the reporter refer his questions to parties in Japan, though reiterating the consensus reached this past fall between leaders of Japan and China to continue high-level visits between the two nations. Liu confirmed that high-level visits were a topic discussed this week between Hu and Akihiro Ota's delegation currently visiting China. Such visits will be arranged through diplomatic channels according to the needs and development of the bilateral relationship of both sides, said Liu. Liu provided no information in response to questions about possible visits to Japan in February by Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei. ¶9. In response to a question about Chinese media reports criticizing the elevation of Japan's defense "agency" to the status of "ministry," Liu said the MFA has taken note of the reports. Liu emphasized that China has chosen a road to peaceful development and that China's development is in the fundamental interests of Japan. Royal Recognizes Benefits of China's Rise, Raises Human Rights Issue -------------- -------------- ¶10. Liu confirmed that Segolene Royal of France's Socialist Party met with Vice President Zeng Qinghong and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan to exchange views on bilateral relations and that the two sides were ready to increase mutual trust and economic cooperation. Royal recognizes that both the speed and harmony of China's development is conducive to peace and stability in the world but also provides an opportunity for Europe, said Liu. Asked about Royal's inquiries to the Chinese government on the unjust jailing of lawyers and journalists, Liu said that China is ready for dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect on the issue of human rights. In response to a question regarding China's trade deficit with France, Liu said vaguely that both sides can take necessary measures to solve such issues, including those of China's concern like the recognition of China's full market status. Chinese Hostages in Nigeria "Safe" -------------- ¶11. The relevant departments of the Chinese government are trying their best to rescue Chinese citizens taken hostage in Nigeria on January 5, said Liu, adding that the hostages are safe. Liu warned Chinese citizens overseas to increase communication with Chinese embassies and consulates and to pay attention to safety and security. China Congratulates Pakistan Presidency of G77 -------------- - ¶12. China congratulates Pakistan on its assuming the chair of BEIJING 00000189 003 OF 003 SUBJECT: JANUARY 9 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: ANTI-TERROR RAID, WMD SANCTIONS, CHEN SHUI-BIAN TO US, CHINA IN AFRICA, SIX-PARTY TALKS, JAPAN-DPRK TALKS, VISITS TO JAPAN, HOSTAGES IN NIGERIA, OLMERT VISIT, PAKISTAN AND G77, FOREIGN CORRESPONSENTS CLUB, VISITS: TAJIKISTAN, EUROPEAN COMMISSION, ECUADOR the G77 and looks forward to strengthening already close communication and cooperation with the international organization. China and Pakistan have similar views on the international order and harmonious development, said Liu. Issue of Foreign Correspondents Club Legality a Separate Issue -------------- -- ¶13. Asked if the Chinese government would recognize the Foreign Correspondents Club in line with the new, more open regulations on foreign journalists in China, Liu said that the matter was a separate issue that remains to be addressed. China to Send Envoy to Ecuador, Receive Tajik and EU Visitors -------------- -------------- ¶14. President Emomali Romanov of Tajikistan will visit China January 15-21 at the invitation of President Hu Jintao and Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations, will visit China January 16-18 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing. Chinese Minister of Construction Wang Guangtao will represent China at the Republic of Ecuador's presidential inauguration ceremony on January 15. SEDNEY