APRIL 26 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: BDA, DPRK-BURMA,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 002812 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MNUC KS KN CA FR BM ET SUBJECT: APRIL 26 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: BDA, DPRK-BURMA, ARRESTS IN XINJIANG AND TIBET, SAINT LUCIA-TAIWAN, ETHIOPIA, CANADA FM VISIT, JAPAN FORCED LABOR, ABE TO U.S., VIRGNIA TECH SHOOTING, VATICAN, OLYMPIC BOYCOTT ¶1. Key points at the April 26 MFA Press Conference made by MFA Spokesman Liu Jianchao were: -- Relevant parties are still making contact and consultations in an effort to solve the BDA issue. -- The MFA has taken note of reports of the arrests of United States citizens in Tibet where the case is under investigation, and the MFA is "following relevant reports and checking with relevant authorities" regarding reported arrests of American citizens in Xinjiang. -- The MFA denounced attempts by the Taiwan authorities to split the motherland and called on St. Lucia to abide by the One China Principle. -- General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine issued an invitation to the FDA on April 23 to investigate pet food contamination. -- China has sent a joint working group of members from the Ministry of Commerce, MFA and Sinopec to Ethiopia to assess and strengthen security efforts. BDA Issue, DPRK-Burma Resume Relations -------------- ¶2. At the April 26 regular press briefing, MFA Spokesman Liu Jianchao reiterated previous statements that the BDA funds transfer issue has not been completely resolved. Liu remarked that the relevant parties are still making contact and consultations and will continue to make efforts to solve the issue. Asked for comment on the reestablishing of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and Burma, Liu said the MFA welcomes the improvement in their bilateral relationship. AmCit Arrests in Tibet, Xinjiang -------------- ¶3. Responding to a question on reports that four United States citizens have been detained by the Public Security Bureau in Tibet for revealing a "free Tibet" banner at the Mt. Everest base camp, the spokesman said the MFA has taken note of the reports and the case is currently under investigation. Liu stated that foreign citizens should respect Chinese law and not engage in activities sensitive to national unity and security. When asked about reports that American citizens were detained this week in Aksu, Xinjiang and whether the United States Embassy had been granted consular access to the detainees, Liu replied that the MFA is following relevant reports and checking with relevant authorities. ¶4. Asked for comment on a United States Congressional report just released describing deteriorating lives of people in Tibet and Xinjiang, the spokesman expressed his confusion regarding the "accusations," maintaining that China has made arduous efforts in past years to promote economic development and improve people's lives in the two Autonomous Regions. He added that the "organization mentioned" by the reporter should research the topic objectively and fairly. Saint Lucia Should Abide by One China Principle -------------- -- ¶5. Responding to reports that the Caribbean nation of St. Lucia will resume official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, Liu denounced the attempts by the Taiwan authorities to split the motherland and called on St. Lucia to abide by the PRC and Saint Lucia's joint communique which "clearly" demands adherence to the One China Principle. Food Contamination: FDA Invited to China -------------- ¶6. FDA officials are welcome to visit China for the purpose of carrying out consultations and inspections on the issue of melamine-contamination of pet foods made in China. According to Liu, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine issued an invitation to the FDA on April 23. Ethiopia Attack and Kidnapping -------------- BEIJING 00002812 002 OF 003 ¶7. China has sent a joint working group of members from the Ministry of Commerce, MFA and Sinopec to Ethiopia after the recent attack and kidnapping of Sinopec workers to assess and strengthen security efforts with local authorities. Although Liu noted it is the host country's responsibility to provide security for such development projects, he said China will seek to reinforce work and cooperation in this regard not only in Ethiopia. Canada FM to Visit China -------------- ¶8. The MFA welcomes the upcoming visit of Canadian FM MacKay and hopes it will play a positive role in the bilateral relationship. He added that FM MacKay would meet with the foreign minister and other leaders. When asked about the case of recently convicted Uighur-Canadian Huseyin Celil in Urumqi on terrorism charges and the Canadian Embassy's lack of consular access to Celil, Liu said he could not confirm the issue would be discussed. However, Liu stressed that the issue was a Chinese internal affair and Canada should not interfere. Forced Labor Lawsuit in Japan, Abe to Visit U.S. -------------- -- ¶9. Asked about a forced labor lawsuit filed in Japan by Chinese citizens and whether Chinese citizens could seek wartime reparations despite the reporter's assertion that China had agreed not to do so, the spokesman called the issue a "serious political question" concerning "one of the most serious crimes" committed by Japan during World War II. Neither Japan nor China can make unilateral explanations of items or principles included in the Joint Statement on which the two sides' post-war relations are based, said Liu. He expressed hope that the issue will be properly handled in accordance with this principle. ¶10. Asked about the possibility of China being a topic of discussion during Abe's upcoming visit to the United States, Liu said the issue is between the United States and Japan. However, Liu added that if China is discussed he hopes the two sides will reach "right conclusions." When asked for comment on the possibility of the United States selling F-22 fighter jets to Japan, Liu replied that the MFA has taken note of the relevant reports and hopes that "relevant arrangements will have no unhelpful impact on the situation in Northeast Asia." Condolences, Not Criticism, After Shooting -------------- ¶11. Prodded by a UPI reporter on criticism in CCP- and Government-sponsored media of the United States gun culture and treatment of Asian-Americans following the Virginia Tech shooting, Liu held that the views expressed were those of the authors not the Chinese Government. He stressed the Chinese people and Government's condemnation of the atrocity and deep condolences to the victims and bereaved. Greenhouse Gases -------------- ¶12. Responding to a reporter's suggestion that China would soon become the world's single largest polluter, the spokesman stated that developed countries must bear primary responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions. As a developing country, China is ready to take specific measures to address the problem and has already made positive efforts such as emission reduction goals stipulated in the 11th Five-Year Plan. Vatican Cannot Interfere in China's Internal Affairs -------------- -------------- ¶13. While China hopes to improve relations with the Vatican, the Vatican should not interfere under the name of religion in the internal affairs of China, said Liu when asked if the Vatican would have a say in choosing the new chairman of China's state-sanctioned Catholic Church. Suggestions of Olympic Boycott -------------- BEIJING 00002812 003 OF 003 ¶14. Opposition to the success of the 2008 Olympic Games is against the will of the people of the world, said Liu when asked for comment on reports that French Presidential candidate Segolene Royal would "not rule out" a boycott of the Games in protest of China's human rights record on issues such as Darfur. RANDT