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 SIPDIS SIPDIS 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. SIPDIS 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. SIPDIS RANDT