JANUARY 16 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: EAST ASIA SUMMIT,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 000376 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ASEAN PTER KN CH SUBJECT: JANUARY 16 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: EAST ASIA SUMMIT, BILATS WITH JAPAN AND INDIA, SUDAN, IRAN OIL DEAL, DPRK TALKS, HUMAN RIGHTS, CANADA, NEPAL, PORTUGUESE PM VISIT ¶1. Key points made at the January 16 MFA press conference: -- China supports the East Asia Summit (EAS),believes ASEAN-Plus-Three is the main venue for regional cooperation and discussed the Korean Peninsula during a PRC-Japan-ROK trilateral meeting in Cebu, Philippines. -- Premier Wen discussed UN issues with Japanese PM Abe on the margins of the EAS and is planning to visit Japan in spring. -- Premier Wen's bilateral meeting with Indian PM Singh at the EAS was productive. VFM Dai Bingguo will attend border talks in India January 17-18. -- The visit by Special Envoy Natsios was conducive to cooperation between China and the United States on Sudan. -- China has normal trade relations with Iran and its recent energy deal is part of those relations. -- China welcomes a visit by EAP A/S Hill to Beijing but had no specifics. -- China-Canada relations are important but must adhere to China's non-interference policy. -- China is pleased to see progress in Nepal's political situation. -- China welcomes Portuguese PM Socrates' upcoming visit to Beijing. -- Liu had no information on executions in Iraq, the recent terrorist raid in Xinjiang or the reported death of revolutionary leader Bo Yibo. East Asia Summit: Wen's Proposal and DPRK -------------- ¶2. Premier Wen's Three-Point Proposal was well-received at the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Cebu was well-received, Liu said. Wen's proposal emphasized development, prosperity and mutual benefit. It was well-received by the attending countries. The DPRK nuclear issue was discussed in trilateral meetings between China, the Republic of Korea and Japan. Liu stressed that cooperation between these countries is very important to greater regional stability and cooperation. China believes the Six-Party Talks are the best way to resolve issues on the Korean Peninsula. ¶3. In response to questions regarding the East Asian Summit, Liu said China holds a supportive attitude towards the organization and the cooperation it fosters in various field, but sees ASEAN-Plus-Three as the main cooperation mechanism in the region. Japan Relations Critical -------------- �A;¶4. A reporter asked Liu to elaborate on PM Wen's comments that China-Japan relations are at a critical stage. Liu said both sides should take a long-term perspective, properly handle historical issues, abide by the Three Political Documents and uphold the One-China Policy. China is ready to promote better relations with Japan through mutual cooperation. Liu mentioned that Wen is planning a trip to Japan in the spring, but no dates have been set. Wen, Abe Discuss UN Issues -------------- ¶5. In a bilateral meeting, Wen and Japanese PM Abe discussed UN reform. China supports proper and necessary UN reform, especially when it empowers smaller countries such as the developing nations in Africa. Commenting on reports that Abe called for Japan and NATO to strengthen relations, Liu said that such developments are good for the stability of the region. China-India Talks, Dialogue With Pakistan Welcomed -------------- -------------- ¶6. The bilateral meeting between Chinese PM Wen and Indian PM Singh in Cebu was productive and increased mutual trust, bilateral cooperation and harmonious development. PRC Special envoy Dai Bingguo will attend the 9th round of border BEIJING 00000376 002 OF 003 talks in New Delhi on January 17-18 to explore solutions to the issues. Commenting on reports that Pakistan and India have agreed on further dialogue, Liu said China, as a neighbor of both countries, welcomes progress and hopes the countries can handle their differences peacefully through negotiation and diplomacy. Sudan and Hu's Visit to Africa -------------- ¶7. When asked whether China-United States cooperation on the Sudan issue will increase in the wake of Special Presidential Envoy Natsios' visit to Beijing, Liu said the visit was conducive and both countries would work to find a political solution to the issue. Asked to provide details of President Hu's upcoming trip to Africa, Liu said the visit is still being planned. Details will be released when they are fixed. Asked whether Hu would visit Sudan, Liu added that China is concerned with the situation in Sudan and has made concerted diplomatic efforts to solve the issue. Any solution must respect Sudan's sovereignty. China-Iran Energy Deal -------------- ¶8. Asked to comment on a deal between CNOOC and Iran to develop natural gas fields in Iran, Liu responded that China has normal trade relations with Iran, an OPEC member state. This deal is conducive to China and Iran as they are energy consumers and producers. The reporter noted that the deal is opposed by U.S. Congressman Tom Lantos. DPRK Talks in Beijing? -------------- ¶9. When asked about a potential visit by EAP A/S Hill or possible talks in Beijing between the United States and the DPRK over financial sanctions, Liu replied that China welcomes Hill. Liu had no specifics about such a visit or possible financial talks. He debunked a media report that the DPRK approached Beijing to buy the new Chinese fighter bomber. Critical Human Rights Report -------------- ¶10. Following up Liu's response at a previous press conference criticizing a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report as biased and politically motivated, a reporter from an America news agency asked Liu what ulterior motives HRW might have and why China has not invited the organization to view the situation first-hand. Liu responded that China welcomed human rights dialogues based on equality and respect with a host of countries and multinational organizations, but would not establish a dialogue with an NGO. He said some organizations see China with colored glasses and suggested the report asked HRW why they harbored such bad will towards China. Canada -------------- ¶11. A reporter asked Liu to comment on Canada's recent criticism over China's human rights situation, the extension of Canadian citizenship to the Dali Lama and the upcoming visits by Canadian Ministers. China attaches importance to bilateral relations with Ottawa, believes relations are mutually beneficial and hopes to strengthen them, Liu said. He warned that relations must be fair and carried out in accordance to the policy of non-interference and safeguarding Chinese territorial integrity. Nepal -------------- ¶12. Liu said China was pleased to see progress in Nepal, responding to a request for comment on the establishment of an interim parliament and ratification of interim constitution in Nepal. China hopes the peaceful reforms will continue, promote stability throughout the region and benefit the Nepalese people. Portuguese PM's Visit -------------- ¶13. Asked why the MFA had not made an official announcement of Portuguese Prime Minister Socrates' impending visit to BEIJING 00000376 003 OF 003 Beijing January 30 to February 4, Liu said no dates had been set. China welcomes PM Socrates to Beijing. Portugal is an important partner to China, especially as it takes the EU rotating presidency in the second half of 2007. China hopes to discuss increasing China-EU cooperation during the visit. Iraqi Executions -------------- ¶14. When asked to comment on the recent executions of other officials in Iraq, Liu said only that China hopes for peace and stability, Iraqi self rule and prosperity for the Iraqi people. Xinjiang Terrorist Raid -------------- ¶15. Asked to provide an update on the terrorist raid in Xinjiang earlier this month, Liu said some suspects have been arrested, others are still at large and their whereabouts are unknown. Liu referred specific questions to the Public Security Bureau. Revolutionary Leader Bo Yibo's Death -------------- ¶16. Liu had no comment about the reported death of former Politburo member and revolutionary leader Bo Yibo, the father of current Commerce Minister Bo Xilai. RANDT