APRIL 10 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002360 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MNUC KPAL PK VM SUBJECT: APRIL 10 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, SUDAN, SOUTH CHINA SEA, VISITS ¶1. Key Points at the April 10 MFA Press Conference by MFA Spokesman Qin Gang were: -- The MFA would not comment on the likelihood of the DPRK's meeting the April 13 deadline, nor would they give details on A/S Hill's visit to Beijing or a possible meeting with VFM Wu. -- Asked if China was to blame for the BDA impasse, Qin said China and Macau financial institutions must follow responsibilities under international laws and regulations. -- AFM Zhai Jun proposed a solution to the Darfur issue in meetings with President al-Bashir, but Qin declined to give further details. -- Sudan "on principle" is willing to work and discuss the details of former UN Secretary General Annan's plan for a joint UN/AU peacekeeping force in Darfur. -- Vietnam's "new moves" in the Spratly Islands are "illegal and invalid," as they infringe on China's undisputed sovereignty of the Islands and violate Sino-Vietnamese agreements. 6PT Deadlines, BDA, A/S Hill-VFM Wu Meeting -------------- ¶2. MFA Spokesman Qin Gang at the April 10 regular press briefing deflected a question on whether Yongbyon would be shut down by the "sixty-day deadline," reiterating that the resolve and common consensus among all parties remained unchanged. The Six-Party Talks have never been "smooth sailing" and encountering difficulties in the process of implementing the initial actions is natural, he added. Also on the topic of Yongbyon, Qin suggested reporters see DRPK VFM Kim Kye-gwan's remarks in a meeting with Governor Richardson of New Mexico. ¶3. The spokesman had heard news that A/S Hill will visit Beijing this week but did not provide any details. Asked if A/S Hill would meet with VFM Wu Dawei, Qin said he had not heard of plans for such a meeting. However, he reported VFM Wu is in the ROK with PM Wen and A/S Hill is in Asia as well. ¶4. Asked if China should be held accountable for the Banco Delta Asia issue which held up the most recent phase of Six-Party Talks, Qin told the Japanese reporter if she does not understand why the Bank of China did not accept the money transfer she can ask a Japanese bank if it would do so. The spokesman noted the United States and DPRK are the principal parties involved and that the concerns of all parties, including China and Macau, must be addressed. Both China and Macau financial institutions have to follow their responsibilities and obligations under international laws and regulations. AFM Zhai Makes Proposal to Sudan President -------------- ¶5. During his recent visit to Sudan AFM Zhai Jun proposed a solution to the Darfur issue in meetings with President al-Bashir of Sudan and other senior leaders, in addition to visiting three refugee camps. Qin declined to give details on the so-called "proposal," stating the MFA will provide more information after AFM Zhai returns to Beijing. Qin added that Sudan "on principle" is willing to work and discuss the details of former UN Secretary General Annan's plan and is willing to coordinate with other parities. China hopes that UN troops will be deployed. The UN and AU should cooperate on the details. The spokesman also reported VFM Dai Bingguo spoke on the phone with Deputy Secretary Negroponte about the Darfur issue, and called for a solution to be reached through political negotiations. United States Files WTO Complaints -------------- ¶6. Asked for comments on WTO complaints filed against China by the United States on issues of IPR violations and market access, Qin referred reporters to a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce. Vietnam Moves in Spratly Islands "Illegal and Invalid" -------------- -------------- ¶7. Vietnam's "new moves" in the Spratly Islands are "illegal and invalid," as they infringe on China's undisputed sovereignty of the Islands and violate the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, said Qin when prompted by a CCTV reporter. All parties have made efforts BEIJING 00002360 002 OF 002 to ensure the stability of the South China Sea, but Vietnam's recent actions in the area, expanding bidding for natural resources and cooperating with British Petroleum on a pipeline violate consensus and is not conducive to peace. China expresses great concern and has made solemn representation to Vietnam. Visits: Pakistan, Hungary, Cuba -------------- ¶8. At the invitation of PM Wen Jiabao, Pakistan PM Aziz will pay an official visit to China April 16-20 before attending the 2007 Boao Forum for Asia April 20-21. At the invitation of FM Li Zhaoxing, Hungary FM Goncz will pay a working visit to China April 14-19 and Cuba FM Perez Roque will pay an official visit China April 15-18. RANDT