MAY 17 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: BDA FUNDS; AFRICA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003321

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ETRD SU JA XA XW KS KN SO AS UK HR FR
SUBJECT: MAY 17 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: BDA FUNDS; AFRICA
COOPERATION; TIBET; PARTICIPATION IN OECD; JAPAN ABDUCTION
ISSUE; UNREST IN PAKISTAN; ROK SHIP ACCIDENT; PRAISE FOR
CHIRAC; VISITS



1. Key points at the May 17 MFA Press Conference were:

-- The MFA has taken note of reports from the DPRK Foreign
Ministry that BDA funds are being moved.

-- Jiang reiterated that assistance to African nations has
"no political strings attached."

-- The MFA has taken note of reports that the United States
plans to open a military command in Africa.

-- Before the Dalai Lama's upcoming visit to Australia, the
spokeswoman cautioned "relevant countries" to stay alert to
Dalai Lama's attempts to undermine China's international
relations and to split the Motherland.

-- China has applied for observer status in various
committees of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD).

-- A Japanese advisor for the issue of abducted Japanese
nationals is currently in Beijing meeting with senior MFA
officials.

MFA "Noticed" Reports of DPRK Moving Funds
--------------


2. At the May 17 regular press briefing, MFA Spokeswoman
Jiang Yu stated that the MFA has taken note of reports from
the DPRK Foreign Ministry that BDA funds are being moved.
Jiang reiterated China's hope for a resolution to the issue
at an early date so that all parties can press ahead with
implementation of the initial actions agreed upon in the last
round of the Six-Party Talks.

Financial Assistance to Africa
--------------


3. Chinese financial assistance to Africa is supported by
the eight-point proposal for China-Africa cooperation put
forth by China during last November's Beijing summit with
leaders from over 40 African nations and is meant to
encourage and strengthen development efforts, said the
spokeswoman when asked about China's benchmarks for aid to
Africa and how China justifies receiving outside aid itself
in light of giving billions in aid to Africa. Jiang repeated
claims that such assistance has "no political strings
attached." When pressed by reporters for the relation of
such claims to the five African nations currently recognizing
Taiwan, Jiang said China is ready to work with these five
countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful
Co-existence. She also expressed hope for international
assistance in the region particularly in the areas of debt
relief and transfer of technology.


4. Asked for comment on media reports of United States plans
to open a military command in Africa, Jiang said only that
the MFA had taken note of the reports.

MFA Cautions before Dalai Lama Trip to Australia
-------------- ---


5. Asked for China's reaction to news that both Australian
Prime Minister John Howard and Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd
were considering the possibility of holding meetings with the
Dalai Lama during his scheduled 10-day trip to Australia in
June, Jiang said the Dalai Lama's words and deeds prove he is
not simply a religious figure, but rather a political exile
long engaged in "splittist" activities advocating Tibetan
independence. Jiang cautioned relevant countries to stay
alert to his attempts to undermine China's international
relations and to split the Motherland. Responding to a
question regarding the planned May 2008 "Tibetan Olympics" to
be held in Dharamsala, India, Jiang said that Tibet has been
part of China since ancient times and that the Chinese people
and government oppose the politicization of the Olympic Games.

China Seeks Further Involvement in OECD
--------------


6. China has applied for observer status in various
committees of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and

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Development (OECD) and wants to further strengthen
cooperation with the organization, said Jiang. She remarked
that China has cooperated with the OECD in various fields
since 1995 and has already participated as an observer on two
OECD committees.

Japanese Envoy for Abductions Issue in Beijing
-------------- -


7. The spokeswoman confirmed that Special Advisor to the
Cabinet for the issue of abducted Japanese nationals, Kyoko
Nakayama, is currently in Beijing at the invitation of the
Japanese Embassy. She met with VFM Wu Dawei and exchanged
views on China-Japan relations and the ongoing nuclear
situation on the Korean Peninsula. She is also scheduled to
meet with EVFM Dai Bingguo.

Unrest in Pakistan
--------------


8. As a friendly neighbor to Pakistan, China is paying close
attention to unrest in Karachi and hopes that the government
can maintain peace and social stability there, said the
spokeswoman when asked for comment on the situation.

Chinese Sailors Kidnapped Off Coast of Somalia
-------------- -


9. Responding to reports that as many as ten Chinese sailors
have been taken hostage aboard two South Korean fishing
vessels off the coast of Somalia, Jiang stated that the
Chinese government attaches great importance to the situation
and that the MFA is following events closely and cooperating
with relevant governments on rescue efforts.

South Korea to Join Search for Missing Sailors
-------------- -


10. Asked about the ongoing search-and-rescue operations for
16 sailors missing in the Bohai Sea since their boat sank on
May 12, Jiang stated that after the incident was reported
China's search and rescue center has made great efforts,
coordinating with officials in Shandong Province and the ROK
Embassy in Beijing. China has also approved the request to
have search and rescue teams from South Korea join in the
search. Jiang said that the cause of the incident was still
being investigated and that the South Korean government and
relatives of the missing sailors have thanked China for its
efforts.

Chirac an "Old Friend" of China
--------------


11. President Chirac is an "old friend" of China who
supported the one-China principle as well as China's peaceful
reunification with Taiwan and the Chinese Government and
people applaud his contributions to the Sino-French
relationship, commented the spokeswoman when asked for
reflections on Chirac's presidency.

Visits: Germany, Croatia, UK
--------------


12. German President Horst Koehler will visit May 23-26 at
the invitation of President Hu Jintao as will Croatian FM and
Minister of European Integration Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic May
20-23 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang
Jiechi. During UK Foreign Secretary Beckett's May 16-21
visit, she will meet with FM Yang and other leaders to
exchange views on cooperation between the two countries and
their respective foreign ministries, said Jiang. The
spokeswoman deflected a reporter's question on whether or not
Iran would be a topic of discussion during the visit.
RANDT