APRIL 5 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002250 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MNUC KPAL KN KS JA CH AO TC IS SA SUBJECT: APRIL 5 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, US-CHINA MILITARY EXCHANGE, PM WEN VISIT TO ROK AND JAPAN, UAE FM TO BEIJING, CHINESE ENVOY TO MIDDLE EAST ¶1. Key Points at the April 5 MFA Press Conference were: -- The Spokesman avoided placing blame for difficulties in the Six-Party Talks process, in response to questions by reporters about the Talks "falling apart." -- Vice Admiral Wu Shengli is visiting the United States from April 1-8 and will meet with a number of American military officials. -- Premier Wen's upcoming visits to Japan and the ROK aim to increase mutual understanding and promote regional peace and stability. -- The foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates will visit China April 8-15. China's Special Envoy to the Middle East Sun Bigan will travel to Saudi Arabia, Israel and Europe from April 9-18 to discuss the Palestine-Israel issue. The Boao Forum for Asia will be held in China's Hainan Island from April 20-22. Six-Party Talk Deadlines, Difficulties -------------- ¶2. MFA Spokesman Qin Gang at the April 5 regular press briefing deflected a question on reports that VFM Wu Dawei called it "unlikely" the parties would meet an April 13 deadline set out in the February Initial Actions agreement. The spokesman pushed for flexibility and constructive efforts from all parties and reiterated that it is in the interests of all parties to implement the Initial Actions agreement. In response to a question on whose fault it was the February agreement was &falling apart,8 Qin replied China is ready to make joint efforts with all parties, including Macao, to implement the initial actions. Chinese Vice-Admiral Visits U.S., Builds Trust -------------- ¶3. Vice-Admiral Wu Shengli is visiting Hawaii and Washington, DC April 1-8 to build mutual trust and strengthen pragmatic, strategic cooperation. The visit includes meetings with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Pace, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Navy and other officials from the Asia-Pacific Headquarters and Pacific Fleet, said Qin. Vice-Admiral Wu also plans to visit the Naval Academy. Wen's Visits to Japan and ROK -------------- ¶4. PM Wen,s upcoming visit to Japan aims to increase mutual understanding and strengthen consensus to improve cooperation, trade and the momentum in bilateral ties, Qin said. As neighbors, China and Japan have large potential for cooperation in economics, finance and small-and-medium enterprises, said Qin. Both sides are still consulting on the specifics of a proposed high-level economic dialogue. China expressed hope Japan would properly handle the Taiwan issue. He reemphasized China's view that the "Three Political Documents" form the basis for bilateral ties. ¶5. PM Wen will meet with the President, Prime Minister and other parliament leaders during his visit to South Korea before he visits Japan. As neighbors, greater cooperation between China and the ROK will promote regional peace and stability, added Qin, providing no additional details or comment in response to questions about a military hotline between the two countries. Angola Military Agreement? -------------- ¶6. Asked by Portuguese media for details regarding a military agreement between China and Angola, Qin denied knowledge of the agreement and claimed it was not in the purview of the MFA. Visits: UAE FM Visit, Sun Bigan To Middle East, Boao -------------- -------------- BEIJING 00002250 002 OF 002 ¶7. At the invitation of FM Li Zhaoxing, United Arab Emirates FM Al Nahyan will visit China April 8-15. China's Special Envoy to the Middle East Sun Bigan will travel to Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Israel and Europe from April 9-18 to discuss the Palestine-Israel issue among others. ¶8. NPC Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo will attend the annual Boao Forum for Asia hosted in China's Hainan Island from April 20-22. He will meet other leaders on the sidelines of the Forum. RANDT