Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BEIJING3117
2007-05-10 10:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

MAY 10 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SPECIAL REP FOR AFRICAN AFFAIRS; DARFUR; TAINTED PRODUCTS; BUSH-HU; HUANG JU; DALAI LAMA; SED; IPR; VISITS

Tags:  PRE ETRD SU XA XW ZU PM UK NL BE 
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INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003117 

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PRE ETRD SU XA XW ZU PM UK NL BE

SUBJECT: MAY 10 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SPECIAL REP FOR AFRICAN AFFAIRS; DARFUR; TAINTED PRODUCTS; BUSH-HU; HUANG JU; DALAI LAMA; SED; IPR; VISITS


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003117

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PRE ETRD SU XA XW ZU PM UK NL BE

SUBJECT: MAY 10 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SPECIAL REP FOR AFRICAN AFFAIRS; DARFUR; TAINTED PRODUCTS; BUSH-HU; HUANG JU; DALAI LAMA; SED; IPR; VISITS



1. Key points at the May 10 MFA Press Conference made by MFA
Spokeswoman Jiang Yu were:

-- Liu Guijin has been appointed to the newly created
position of "special representative for African affairs"
where he will focus on the Darfur issue.

-- China will send a team of 275 engineers to Darfur to
assist in the second stage of the Annan Plan.

-- Relevant enterprises and culprits in the melamine case
will be dealt with and China is ready for further cooperation
on this issue.

-- Presidents Bush and Hu discussed over the phone the
upcoming SED, the Korean nuclear issue and international
climate change.

-- The SED is an important opportunity to promote the healthy
development of bilateral ties.

-- Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen will pay an
official visit to China May 15-17 as will British Foreign
Secretary Margaret Beckett May 16-21.

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Africa: New MFA Appointment, 275 Engineers to Sudan
-------------- --------------


2. At the May 10 regular press briefing, MFA Spokeswoman
Jiang Yu announced the appointment of Liu Guijin to the newly
created position of "special representative for African
affairs," adding that Liu will focus on the Darfur issue.
Liu previously served as Ambassador to South Africa, Zimbabwe
and as MFA Director General for African Affairs. When asked
about the reason for the appointment, Jiang cited China's
promotion of the strategic partnership with Africa and
mentioned the success of the November African summit in
Beijing and the resulting 8-point proposal for China-Africa
cooperation.


3. China will send a team of 275 engineers to participate in
the implementation of the second phase of the Annan Plan at
the request of the UN in addition to humanitarian assistance
and donations, said Jiang. Deflecting a question regarding a
letter to President Hu signed by over 100 members of the
United States Congress criticizing China's handling of the
Darfur issue, Jiang emphasized China's efforts toward a
proper solution through an exchange of visits, the sending of

a special envoy and other consultations. She acknowledged
the United States' positive role in the process, including
its sending a Special Envoy for the Sudan issue to Beijing.
The Chinese government hopes the international community can
promote the political process and the Annan Plan in a
balanced way, while urging the opposition in Darfur to resume
dialogue with the Sudanese government.

Melamine Contamination Case, Counterfeit Drugs
-------------- -


4. When asked for information on the melamine contamination
case, the spokeswoman stated that the Administration for
Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has acted on
the case and already made representation to the United
States. The relevant enterprises and culprits will be dealt
with and China is ready for further cooperation on this
issue, she said. Asked for information on the issues of
counterfeit drugs and deaths of pigs in Guangzhou, Jiang
referred the reporter's questions to the relevant
authorities, but asserted that China plans to increase safety
efforts in production in these areas.

Bush-Hu Conversation
--------------


5. During a May 9 phone conversation, Presidents Bush and Hu
discussed general bilateral issues, the upcoming Strategic
Economic Dialogue, the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and
international climate change, said Jiang. On the issue of
climate change, Jiang maintained that China and the United
States have common interests and potential for cooperation in
the field. She added that China is ready to make joint
efforts with the United States and the international
community to promote energy efficiency and environmental
protection.


BEIJING 00003117 002 OF 002


No Information on Huang Ju's Health
--------------


6. The MFA has taken note of the responses of the relevant
authorities and can offer no new information, said Jiang in
response to questions about rumors of Executive Vice Premier
Huang Ju's death.

African Development Bank Meeting in Shanghai
--------------


7. Through a series of seminars during the May 16-17 African
Development Bank annual board meeting in Shanghai, China will
seek to support the role of African banks and exchange
development experiences, said the spokeswoman. Jiang noted
China has donated USD 314 million to the African Development
Bank since joining in 1985 and currently holds 1.17 percent
of total shares.

Second SED to Increase Trust and Cooperation
--------------


8. Jiang said the Strategic Economic Dialogue is an
important opportunity to promote the healthy development of
bilateral ties and expressed hope for the exchange of ideas
so as to increase trust and cooperation in various fields.
Asked which ministers will accompany Vice Premier Wu Yi to
the United States for the SED, Jiang replied that the
relevant information would be released in due course.

Dalai Lama Cancels Trip to Belgium
--------------


9. Asked about China's role in the Dalai Lama's canceling of
an upcoming trip to Belgium, Jiang commented on the good
relations between China and Belgium and thanked the Belgian
government for sticking to the one-China policy. The Dalai
Lama's words prove that he is not a simple religious figure,
she said, but rather a political exile long engaged in
"splittist" activities under the disguise of religion. Jiang
cautioned relevant countries to stay alert to his attempts to
undermine China's international relations and to split the
Motherland.

IPR Protection, PM Blair Resignation
--------------


10. The Chinese Government attaches great importance to IPR
protection and China's protection measures are
internationally recognized and approved by the WTO, said
Jiang when asked about Japanese media reports of the
Disneyland knock-off "Shijingshan Park" outside Beijing. She
referred specific questions on the matter to the relevant
Beijing authorities. Jiang would not comment on the expected
resignation of UK PM Blair, but remarked that China is ready
to establish serious dialogue ad cooperation in various
fields with the Unite Kingdom in strengthening a strategic
partnership.

Visits: Netherlands, UK
--------------


11. Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen will pay an
official visit to China May 15-17, as will British Foreign
Secretary Margaret Beckett May 16-21.

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