MAY 29 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: A/S HILL VISIT, SUDAN,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003601 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ETRD SU JA IN KS ID GE SUBJECT: MAY 29 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: A/S HILL VISIT, SUDAN, DEATH SENTENCE FOR FORMER FOOD AND DRUG SAFETY CHIEF, CLIMATE CHANGE, OIE DECISION, TAIWAN, EAST CHINA SEA, EXTRADITION, INDIAN VISA ISSUE, VISITS ¶1. Key points at the May 29 MFA Press Conference were: -- A/S Hill will visit Beijing on May 30 to exchange views on the Six-Party Talks and other international and bilateral issues. -- China seeks a comprehensive solution to the Darfur issue, Spokesperson Jiang replied when asked about EU pressure and a proposed humanitarian corridor through Chad. -- Climate change should be handled within the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol, which form the legal international basis for addressing the issue. -- China's lawful rights have been restored by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). -- China has made solemn representations against the visit to Japan by Taiwan "separatist" Lee Teng-hui. -- Visits: The Indonesian VP will visit China June 6-10 and FM Yang will attend a meeting of Japan, ROK and China Foreign Ministers on June 3 and the Sixth Asia Cooperation Dialogue Foreign Ministers meeting June 4-6 in ROK. A/S Hill to Visit Beijing May 30 -------------- ¶2. At the May 29 regular MFA press briefing, spokesperson Jiang Yu confirmed that A/S Hill will visit Beijing on May 30 to exchange views on the Six-Party Talks and other international and bilateral issues. Sudan, Asia-EU Meeting -------------- ¶3. China seeks a comprehensive solution to the Darfur issue, Jiang replied when asked about EU pressure and a proposed humanitarian corridor through Chad. FM Yang is attending the Asia-EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Hamburg and China supports implementing the second phase of the Annan plan and a diplomatic resolution to the Darfur issue, said Jiang. Death for Former Head of Food and Drug Administration -------------- --- ¶4. Asked for comment on the sentencing to death of former head of the State Food and Drug Administration Zheng Xiaoyu, the spokesperson said the MFA is not an authority on the matter as the case is an internal affair of China. She remarked though that the sentencing reflects the Government's commitment to fighting anti-corruption and that the lives and security of the Chinese people are top priorities. Fight Climate Change within UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol -------------- --- ¶5. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Kyoto Protocol form the legal international basis for fighting climate change, said Jiang when asked why China was resisting further measures on the issue at the Asia-EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Hamburg. Jiang stressed that climate change is a global challenge faced by all countries and China has taken a variety of measures to fight the problem. She reiterated that the impact of developing nations must be treated fairly by developed nations and said the issue should be handled within the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol. OIE Restores China's "Lawful Rights" -------------- ¶6. Jiang praised the recognition of Mainland China as a sovereign state by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) as the "lawful restoration of the People's Republic of China's rights," in response to a question from Xinhua News Agency. She added that Taiwan will continue to participate as a non-official member under the name "Taipei, China" and Taiwan's activities in the organization would not be restricted. Lee Teng-hui to Japan, East China Sea Dialogue -------------- - BEIJING 00003601 002 OF 002 ¶7. China has made solemn representation to Japan in regards to the upcoming visit of Taiwan's former "president" Lee Teng-hui, said Jiang when asked by a reporter for comment. She called on Japan to act in accordance with the principles of the three joint documents between the two countries, abide by commitments made on the Taiwan issue and not provide a platform for the Taiwan separatist movement. Asked for clarification on the MFA's view of Lee, Jiang replied that Lee's words and deeds have proven he is a "separatist." ¶8. On May 25 DG of Asian Affairs Hu Zhengyue and Japan's head of Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Kenichiro Sasae led the eighth round of talks on resolving the two countries' dispute in the East China Sea, said Jiang. She said the next round of negotiations would be held in the later half of June and expressed hope that the two sides could work out a plan of joint development acceptable to both parties. Extradition Treaties Promising No Death Penalty? -------------- --- ¶9. China has signed extradition treaties with twenty-nine countries, is in contact with another twenty-one on the same issue and has mutual legal assistance agreements with forty-one countries, responded Jiang when asked about media reports that China has promised not to pursue the death penalty for extradited suspects in extradition and repatriation treaties with Western countries. Jiang praised China for its contributions to international anti-corruption efforts. Indian Official Refused Chinese Visa -------------- ¶10. China hopes border issues with India can be solved at an early date, but until then such issues should not be brought into friendly exchanges, said Jiang when asked about the denial of a Chinese visa to an Indian government official from the disputed region of Arunachal Pradesh. The refused individual was to take part in a two-week training program for a group of Indian officials in Beijing. Guangxi Riots, Human Rights -------------- ¶11. Asked about riots in Guangxi and supposed discontent over family planning laws and poor health care in the region, the spokesperson called the issue an internal affair of China before maintaining that the laws and Constitution of China protect the freedoms and rights of the Chinese people. 1999 Bombing of Embassy in Belgrade -------------- ¶12. Asked by an AFP reporter what China's position was on the United States' 1999 bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, the spokesperson stated that China does not accept the explanation that the bombing was an accident. Announcements -------------- ¶13. Indonesian Vice President Muhammad Yusuf Kalla will visit China June 6-10 at the invitation of VP Zeng Qinghong. At the invitation of ROK FM Song Min-soon, FM Yang will attend a meeting of Japan, ROK and China Foreign Ministers on June 3 in Jeju, then will travel to Seoul for the Sixth Asia Cooperation Dialogue Foreign Ministers meeting June 4-6. PICCUTA