Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BEIJING3661
2007-05-31 10:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
MAY 31 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: A/S HILL IN BEIJING,
how-toVZCZCXRO1058 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #3661/01 1511056 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 311056Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8475 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN PRIORITY 1577 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM PRIORITY 0110 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 4362 RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM PRIORITY 1584 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0680
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003661
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SENV ETRD SU JA IN KS GE SW RS BM
SUBJECT: MAY 31 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: A/S HILL IN BEIJING,
LEE TENG-HUI TO JAPAN, ANTI-JAPANESE PROTEST, HU TO G-8 AND
SWEDEN, WU YI TO RUSSIA, YANG'S TRAVEL, AIRCRAFT SALES TO
INDIA, PRESS IN TIBET, EU-IRAN MEETING, ILLEGAL LOGGING
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003661
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SENV ETRD SU JA IN KS GE SW RS BM
SUBJECT: MAY 31 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: A/S HILL IN BEIJING,
LEE TENG-HUI TO JAPAN, ANTI-JAPANESE PROTEST, HU TO G-8 AND
SWEDEN, WU YI TO RUSSIA, YANG'S TRAVEL, AIRCRAFT SALES TO
INDIA, PRESS IN TIBET, EU-IRAN MEETING, ILLEGAL LOGGING
1. Key points at the May 31 MFA Press Conference were:
-- A/S Hill discussed Six-Party Talks and BDA with VFM Wu
Dawei and bilateral issues and Sudan with AFM He Yafei on May
30.
-- China strongly objects to Lee Teng-hui's visit to Japan.
-- Japan should recognize demands for compensation motivating
the anti-Japanese protest today at the Japanese Embassy in
Beijing.
-- President Hu will attend G-8 sessions in Germany and make
a state visit to Sweden in early June.
-- Vice Premier Wu Yi will head an economic delegation to
Russia on June 8-12. FM Yang will attend the ACD meeting and
a trilateral FMs meeting in South Korea.
-- The spokeswoman dismissed an NGO report on foreign
journalists lacking access to Tibet as "irresponsible and
groundless."
-- She gave general answers to questions on American aircraft
sales to India, Iran, illegal logging in Burma and a blue
algae outbreak in Taihu Lake.
A/S Hill Met With Wu Dawei and He Yafei
--------------
2. At the May 31 regular MFA press briefing, spokesperson
Jiang Yu confirmed that A/S Hill met with VFM Wu Dawei and
AFM He Yafei on May 30. A/S Hill exchanged ideas about the
Six-Party Talks and BDA issue with VFM Wu and discussed
bilateral issues and Sudan with AFM He. China believes new
sanctions against Sudan will only complicate the issue and is
appealing to other countries to maintain exchange and
dialogue to implement the third phase of the Annan Plan in
Sudan, Jiang said. China is ready to promote the development
of strategic cooperative partnership between the United
States and China, Jiang added.
Lee Teng-hui Visiting Japan
--------------
3. China is strongly dissatisfied with the Japanese
government for allowing former Taiwan leader Lee Teng-hui to
enter Japan, Jiang said. She claimed Lee's aim is to
undermine China-Japan relations. Regarding Lee's plans to
visit the Yasukuni Shrine, Jiang said that mutual effort is
needed from both China and Japan to properly handle Taiwan
and historical issues. China hopes that Japan seriously
considers China's solemn representations and continues to
promote joint efforts with China to advance bilateral ties.
Anti-Japanese Protest
--------------
4. Asked to comment on a protest carried out in front of the
Japanese Embassy in Beijing on May 31 by victims and family
members of those seeking compensation from the Japanese
government, Jiang said that the PRC protested the Supreme
Court decision denying compensation earlier this month.
Japan should recognize that grave crimes were committed,
should properly address the issues and should properly
consider the demands and rights of victims and their families.
President Hu to Attend G-8 Summit, Visit Sweden
-------------- --
5. President Hu Jintao will attend sessions of the G-8 summit
in Germany. He is expected to attend meetings along with
other developing counties as well as bilateral meetings.
More details will be announced at a briefing by AFM Cui
Tiankai on June 4.
6. President Hu will make a state visit to Sweden on June
8-10 at the invitation of Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf, with
whom he will hold talks. Hu will also meet with Prime
Minister Reinfeldt and parliament Speaker Westerberg to
discuss bilateral ties and to map the future of the two
countries' relationship and is expected to sign an
environmental protection agreement.
BEIJING 00003661 002 OF 002
Vice Premier Wu Yi to Visit Russia
--------------
7. Vice Premier Wu Yi will head a delegation to Russia on
June 8-12 to attend the 11th Annual St. Petersburg
International Economic Forum. This is the third year in a
row that China has sent a delegation to the Forum. Wu will
also participate in events affiliated with the ongoing "Year
of China in Russia" including meetings with the China-Russia
Trade and Investment Cooperative and an official of the World
Economic Forum.
FM Yang Jiechi to Travel to South Korea
--------------
8. PRC Foreign Minister Yang will travel to Seoul on June 3
to attend the Sixth Ministerial Meeting of the Asia
Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) and will also participate in
trilateral meetings with foreign ministers of Japan and South
Korea. The three sides are expected to discuss bilateral and
trilateral issues in addition to international and regional
issues of common interest. Jiang said the PRC hopes the
talks will raise the level of cooperation among the three
countries.
American Cargo Plane Sales to India
--------------
9. Asked to comment on a report that the United States had
announced plans to sell six Lockheed Martin Corp. C-130J
cargo planes to India, Jiang said that she had not read the
report, but that China hopes for mutual trust in the
international community and seeks agreements conducive to
peace and stability in the region and in the world.
PRC Control of Foreign Media in Tibet
--------------
10. A recent report by the NGO Reporters Without Borders on
an incident involving two foreign journalists covering Tibet
was "irresponsible and groundless," Jiang said. China
protects the rights of foreign reporters and as long as they
abide by China's rules and regulations their "normal
reporting work" will not be restricted. She added that China
hopes journalists will abide by the law and report on China
without prejudice.
EU - Iran Meeting
--------------
11. Responding to a question regarding the upcoming meeting
between European Union High Representative Solana and
Secretary of the Iranian Security Council Larijani, Jiang
SIPDIS
said China supports diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iran
nuclear issue and hopes that this round of talks can get the
regular negotiation process going again so the issue can be
resolved diplomatically.
Efforts to Stem Illegal Logging in Burma
--------------
12. Asked if the PRC was doing anything to prevent the trade
of illegally logged timber from Burma to China, Jiang said
that in China all logging and trade in timber is done in
accordance with the law and that the PRC is taking steps to
crackdown on illegal logging. She said that illegally logged
timber does not cross the border from Burma to China and that
both sides are making joint efforts to prevent illegal
logging.
Blue Algae Threatens Water Supply
--------------
13. Jiang characterized the report of a blue-green algae
bloom in Taihu Lake, the main source of drinking water for
the city of Wuxi in eastern China, as an internal Chinese
matter and referred reporters to the relevant authorities.
PICCUTA
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SENV ETRD SU JA IN KS GE SW RS BM
SUBJECT: MAY 31 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: A/S HILL IN BEIJING,
LEE TENG-HUI TO JAPAN, ANTI-JAPANESE PROTEST, HU TO G-8 AND
SWEDEN, WU YI TO RUSSIA, YANG'S TRAVEL, AIRCRAFT SALES TO
INDIA, PRESS IN TIBET, EU-IRAN MEETING, ILLEGAL LOGGING
1. Key points at the May 31 MFA Press Conference were:
-- A/S Hill discussed Six-Party Talks and BDA with VFM Wu
Dawei and bilateral issues and Sudan with AFM He Yafei on May
30.
-- China strongly objects to Lee Teng-hui's visit to Japan.
-- Japan should recognize demands for compensation motivating
the anti-Japanese protest today at the Japanese Embassy in
Beijing.
-- President Hu will attend G-8 sessions in Germany and make
a state visit to Sweden in early June.
-- Vice Premier Wu Yi will head an economic delegation to
Russia on June 8-12. FM Yang will attend the ACD meeting and
a trilateral FMs meeting in South Korea.
-- The spokeswoman dismissed an NGO report on foreign
journalists lacking access to Tibet as "irresponsible and
groundless."
-- She gave general answers to questions on American aircraft
sales to India, Iran, illegal logging in Burma and a blue
algae outbreak in Taihu Lake.
A/S Hill Met With Wu Dawei and He Yafei
--------------
2. At the May 31 regular MFA press briefing, spokesperson
Jiang Yu confirmed that A/S Hill met with VFM Wu Dawei and
AFM He Yafei on May 30. A/S Hill exchanged ideas about the
Six-Party Talks and BDA issue with VFM Wu and discussed
bilateral issues and Sudan with AFM He. China believes new
sanctions against Sudan will only complicate the issue and is
appealing to other countries to maintain exchange and
dialogue to implement the third phase of the Annan Plan in
Sudan, Jiang said. China is ready to promote the development
of strategic cooperative partnership between the United
States and China, Jiang added.
Lee Teng-hui Visiting Japan
--------------
3. China is strongly dissatisfied with the Japanese
government for allowing former Taiwan leader Lee Teng-hui to
enter Japan, Jiang said. She claimed Lee's aim is to
undermine China-Japan relations. Regarding Lee's plans to
visit the Yasukuni Shrine, Jiang said that mutual effort is
needed from both China and Japan to properly handle Taiwan
and historical issues. China hopes that Japan seriously
considers China's solemn representations and continues to
promote joint efforts with China to advance bilateral ties.
Anti-Japanese Protest
--------------
4. Asked to comment on a protest carried out in front of the
Japanese Embassy in Beijing on May 31 by victims and family
members of those seeking compensation from the Japanese
government, Jiang said that the PRC protested the Supreme
Court decision denying compensation earlier this month.
Japan should recognize that grave crimes were committed,
should properly address the issues and should properly
consider the demands and rights of victims and their families.
President Hu to Attend G-8 Summit, Visit Sweden
-------------- --
5. President Hu Jintao will attend sessions of the G-8 summit
in Germany. He is expected to attend meetings along with
other developing counties as well as bilateral meetings.
More details will be announced at a briefing by AFM Cui
Tiankai on June 4.
6. President Hu will make a state visit to Sweden on June
8-10 at the invitation of Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf, with
whom he will hold talks. Hu will also meet with Prime
Minister Reinfeldt and parliament Speaker Westerberg to
discuss bilateral ties and to map the future of the two
countries' relationship and is expected to sign an
environmental protection agreement.
BEIJING 00003661 002 OF 002
Vice Premier Wu Yi to Visit Russia
--------------
7. Vice Premier Wu Yi will head a delegation to Russia on
June 8-12 to attend the 11th Annual St. Petersburg
International Economic Forum. This is the third year in a
row that China has sent a delegation to the Forum. Wu will
also participate in events affiliated with the ongoing "Year
of China in Russia" including meetings with the China-Russia
Trade and Investment Cooperative and an official of the World
Economic Forum.
FM Yang Jiechi to Travel to South Korea
--------------
8. PRC Foreign Minister Yang will travel to Seoul on June 3
to attend the Sixth Ministerial Meeting of the Asia
Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) and will also participate in
trilateral meetings with foreign ministers of Japan and South
Korea. The three sides are expected to discuss bilateral and
trilateral issues in addition to international and regional
issues of common interest. Jiang said the PRC hopes the
talks will raise the level of cooperation among the three
countries.
American Cargo Plane Sales to India
--------------
9. Asked to comment on a report that the United States had
announced plans to sell six Lockheed Martin Corp. C-130J
cargo planes to India, Jiang said that she had not read the
report, but that China hopes for mutual trust in the
international community and seeks agreements conducive to
peace and stability in the region and in the world.
PRC Control of Foreign Media in Tibet
--------------
10. A recent report by the NGO Reporters Without Borders on
an incident involving two foreign journalists covering Tibet
was "irresponsible and groundless," Jiang said. China
protects the rights of foreign reporters and as long as they
abide by China's rules and regulations their "normal
reporting work" will not be restricted. She added that China
hopes journalists will abide by the law and report on China
without prejudice.
EU - Iran Meeting
--------------
11. Responding to a question regarding the upcoming meeting
between European Union High Representative Solana and
Secretary of the Iranian Security Council Larijani, Jiang
SIPDIS
said China supports diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iran
nuclear issue and hopes that this round of talks can get the
regular negotiation process going again so the issue can be
resolved diplomatically.
Efforts to Stem Illegal Logging in Burma
--------------
12. Asked if the PRC was doing anything to prevent the trade
of illegally logged timber from Burma to China, Jiang said
that in China all logging and trade in timber is done in
accordance with the law and that the PRC is taking steps to
crackdown on illegal logging. She said that illegally logged
timber does not cross the border from Burma to China and that
both sides are making joint efforts to prevent illegal
logging.
Blue Algae Threatens Water Supply
--------------
13. Jiang characterized the report of a blue-green algae
bloom in Taihu Lake, the main source of drinking water for
the city of Wuxi in eastern China, as an internal Chinese
matter and referred reporters to the relevant authorities.
PICCUTA