APRIL 12 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, BDA,

UNCLAS BEIJING 002443 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MNUC KN KS VM JA KG CD IN SU SUBJECT: APRIL 12 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, BDA, JAPAN, SOUTH CHINA SEA, SUDAN, INDIA BALLISTIC MISSILE, SPRATLY ISLANDS, CHAD FM VISIT, TERRORIST ATTACKS, KYRGYZSTAN, UK VISIT ¶1. Key Points at the April 12 MFA Press Conference by MFA Spokesman Qin Gang were: -- Asked repeatedly about BDA, Qin said China hopes the situation can be properly resolved as soon as possible, that the handling of the BDA issue will be conducive to the social and financial stability of Macau and that it will advance the Six-Party Talks. -- China hopes to contribute to the economic and social development of the DPRK and the well-being of its people, the spokesman said when asked about the selection of the DPRK's new premier. -- Premier Wen and PM Abe had a "frank" exchange and signed an important agreement on energy during Wen's ongoing visit to Japan. -- China welcomes the UN and AU agreement on Sudan, noticed India's launch of a ballistic missile, expressed condolences to victims of terrorism in Algeria and Morocco and is concerned about protests in Kyrgyzstan, Qin said. -- Vietnam's territorial claim to the Spratly Islands violates China's rights and interests, the spokesman said. -- Chad's Foreign Minister and the UK Deputy PM will visit Beijing on April 18-20 and April 19-25, respectively. China Hopes BDA Issue Can Be Solved ASAP -------------- ¶2. During the regularly scheduled biweekly MFA press briefing on April 12, MFA spokesman Qin Gang responded to three questions regarding the Banco Delta Asia (BDA) issue. The first asked for a response to the Macanese government announcement that the DPRK funds had been freed. Qin responded by saying that China had taken note that the Macau SAR government had issued a statement and that the United States Treasury Department had also issued a statement. China is communicating with all of the parties involved and hopes that the situation regarding the money in BDA can be properly solved as soon as possible and that the handling of the issue will be conducive to the social and financial stability of Macau as well as conducive to pushing forward the Six-Party Talks. ¶3. A reporter from the Kyodo News Agency followed up with a request to confirm the statement that China does not consider the BDA issued resolved. Qin reiterated the Chinese principals: that the solution be conducive to the social and financial stability of Macau as well as conducive to pushing forward the Six- Party Talks. He said the parties involved have their own concerns and interests. China and the Macau SAR government also have their own legitimate concerns and interests and that all legitimate and reasonable concerns and interests should be seriously considered so that a proper solution can be found as soon as possible. ¶4. A third reporter requested confirmation regarding China's position on the BDA issue, prompting Qin to announce that this would be the last time he addressed the issue. He said that Macau is a special administrative region of China and on financial administration matters it has a high degree of autonomy. He said that decisions should be made by the financial authorities of Macau. He urged those asking questions to get a thorough and complete understanding of the Macau government statement in which the government says the situation can be resolved properly. He said that Macau has its own concerns according to its international obligations and responsibilities proscribed by international law and China supports the Macau government in its efforts to resolve the issue according to law. DPRK Elects New Premier -------------- ¶5. A reporter asked for comment on the DPRK's recent election of Premier Kim Yong Il, in which all members of the Supreme People's Assembly voted as opposed to previously unilateral decisions by Kim Jong Il and drew connections to China's landmark Party Congress in ¶1978. The spokesman declined to comment, noting that this involved the DPRK's internal affairs, but expressed hope that China can contribute to the economic and social development of the DPRK and the well-being of its people. Japan, China Sign Energy Agreement -------------- ¶6. During Premier Wen's ongoing visit to Japan, the two sides reached "an important consensus" on energy development as formalized in a joint communique, said Qin. He pointed out that Japan's superior expertise, technology and experience can contribute much to China's efforts to enhance energy conservation and an environmentally friendly economy. China's National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Ma Kai accompanied PM Wen on the trip, Qin noted. PM Wen held a "frank" exchange of views with PM Abe, in which the two agreed to seek joint development in disputed waters of the East China Sea and to resolve disputes through consultation and dialogue. China Welcomes Sudan Agreement -------------- ¶7. China welcomes an agreement reached by Sudan, the African Union and UN and hopes they can implement the plan through dialogue and cooperation so as to realize the peace and stability of the Darfur region at an early date, Qin said. India Launches Ballistic Missile -------------- ¶8. The MFA "noticed" India's launching today of an Agni-III medium-range ballistic missile and hopes India can make positive contributions and play a positive role in the region. Vietnam Claim to Spratlys Infringes China's Rights -------------- -------------- ¶9. Vietnam's claim that the Spratly Islands fall under Vietnam's territory violates China's rights and interests in its own sovereign territory, said the spokesman. He added that the leaders of both countries had previously reached consensus on this issue and reiterated that the Spratly Islands and adjacent waters have been indisputably part of China since ancient times. North Africa Terrorist Attacks, Kyrgyzstan Unrest -------------- --- ¶10. Qin expressed China's solemn condolences to the families of the victims of the terrorist bombings in Algeria and Morocco. He also expressed China's deep concern over intensified protests in Kyrgyzstan. Qin hopes for the stability of its friendly neighbor and fellow member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, adding that Kyrgyzstan's stability is in the interests of the entire region. Visits: Chad FM, UK Deputy PM to Beijing -------------- ¶11. At the invitation of FM Li, FM Allam-mi of Chad will visit Beijing April 18-20 to celebrate the re- opening of Chad's Embassy to China and to exchange views on issues of regional and international interest. China-Chad relations have been recovering and developing steadily since the restoration of diplomatic ties in August 2006. UK Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the UK's China Task Force John Prescott will visit China April 19-25 at the invitation of State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan. RANDT