Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BEIJING3761
2007-06-05 09:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

JUNE 5 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: TIANANMEN ANNIVERSARY,

Tags:  PREL PHUM GE BM KS CH 
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VZCZCXRO5438
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #3761/01 1560930
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 050930Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8610
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1579
RUEHPO/AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO 0036
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0081
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003761 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM GE BM KS CH
SUBJECT: JUNE 5 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: TIANANMEN ANNIVERSARY,
MISSILE DEFENSE, PM WEN RUMORS, G-8 COOPERATION, SPYING, NE
ASIA FM TRILATERAL, PRE-OLYMPIC DEMOLITIONS, ENVIRONMENT,
VISITS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003761

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM GE BM KS CH
SUBJECT: JUNE 5 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: TIANANMEN ANNIVERSARY,
MISSILE DEFENSE, PM WEN RUMORS, G-8 COOPERATION, SPYING, NE
ASIA FM TRILATERAL, PRE-OLYMPIC DEMOLITIONS, ENVIRONMENT,
VISITS


1. Key points at the June 5 MFA Press Conference were:

-- When asked about the anniversary of Tiananmen the
spokesperson noted China's progress over the past 20 years
and slammed comments by American officials as "groundless
attacks on China's internal affairs."

-- China believes a United States missile defense system will
negatively impact the strategic balance, is not conducive to
regional stability and will increase weapons proliferation.

-- A Japanese media report that Premier Wen would not seek a
second term was dismissed as rumor.

-- Cooperation between the G-8 and China is conducive to
peace and stability of the world.

-- Spying charges about China raised in the United States are
groundless and rooted in ulterior motives.

-- Visits: Suriname's Vice President will visit June 10-15.
A Cuban Parliament delegation and a high-level Burmese
delegation are currently in Beijing.

Tiananmen Anniversary: MFA Highlights Progress
-------------- -


2. At the June 5 regular MFA press briefing, spokesperson
Jiang Yu responded to questions about the 1989 Tiananmen
Square incident saying, "There has already been a clear
conclusion to the turmoil of the late '80s." She added that
over the past 20 years China has made great progress in
social stability, economic development, democracy and legal
systems. The Chinese people enjoy all kinds of rights and
freedoms and the Chinese Government and people will
unswervingly follow the road of socialism with Chinese
characteristics, she said. Asked about the freedom of
Chinese journalists to report the events of 1989, Jiang
replied that the Constitution protects the freedom of all
Chinese citizens and Chinese media can report within the
framework of the Constitution and relevant laws. Asked about
Speaker of the House Pelosi's comments on the June 4
anniversary, Jiang called the remarks "irresponsible,
groundless attacks on China's internal affairs," and urged
the United States to undertake a deep review of its own human
rights abuses both domesticlly and internationally.

Negative on U.S. Missile Defense Moves

--------------


3. China is gravely concerned about the United States'
promotion of a missile defense system, said Jiang replying to
questions on the recent defense ministers meeting in
Singapore and the possibility of China's introducing a
similar system. China believes missile defense will
negatively impact the strategic balance, is not conducive to
regional stability and will increase weapons proliferation.
China maintains a consistent position and hopes relevant
parties will act cautiously.

Premier Stepping Down "Completely a Rumor"
--------------


4. Jiang said a June 3 report in the Japanese media that
Premier Wen would not seek a second term was "completely a
rumor," when asked about the matter.

China-G-8 Cooperation Conducive to Global Peace
-------------- --


5. Cooperation between the G-8 and China is conducive to
both sides and good for the peace and stability of the world
and China is ready to conduct equal dialogue on the basis of
equality and mutual benefit, stated the spokesperson. Jiang
expressed hope for practical cooperation and a long-term,
stable, equal partnership in establishing a "north-south
dialogue." Issues of innovation, IPR protection, trade
liberalization, energy, climate change and aid to Africa will
be discussed at the upcoming G-8 meeting which will open June
8 in Germany, she added.

Spying Charges Are "Groundless"
--------------


6. Asked about three individuals in the United States who
have recently pleaded guilty to spying for China, Jiang
responded that such spying charges are groundless and rooted

BEIJING 00003761 002 OF 002


in ulterior motives.

Trilateral FM Meeting in ROK
--------------


7. China, Japan and ROK foreign ministers exchanged ideas on
future areas of cooperation and issues of common interests
during trilateral meetings June 3, Jiang said. China
believes the three countries have common responsibilities and
will handle differences through consultation. China would
like to grasp the opportunity to join hands and map the
future of Asia, Jiang added.

Pre-Olympics Evictions and Demolitions
--------------


8. Responding to a question on a report by a Geneva-based
NGO claiming that that there have been 1.25 million evictions
in Beijing because of Olympic preparations, Jiang refuted the
numbers and asserted that 6,037 households had been
demolished since 2002 with all evictees receiving just
compensation and none being forced to move from Beijing.

International Environment Day, China's Plan
--------------


9. The spirit of the Third International Environment Day is
that everybody has responsibility to protect the environment,
Jiang said replying to allegations that China hides behind
per capita emissions numbers and a question on details of the
recently announced climate change plan. China places
importance on environmental protection and has set relevant
goals in the 11th Five-Year Plan, said Jiang, adding that the
recently issued plan demonstrates that China is a developing
country responsibly dealing with climate change within the
framework of sustainable development and in line with UNFCCC
guidelines. Developed countries have greater responsibility
for climate change and the problem cannot be effectively
addressed without their efforts to limit emissions and
provide clean technology transfer to the developing world.

Visits: Suriname VP, Cuba Parliament Head, Burma
-------------- ---


10. At the invitation of VP Zeng, Suriname VP Sardjoe will
visit June 10-15. A delegation including the Cuban
Parliament President is visiting Beijing at the invitation of
the National People's Congress and information has been
released, said Jiang when asked for details. A high-level
Burmese delegation currently in Beijing is not being hosted
by the MFA. Whether China will move its Embassy in Burma to
the new capital is an internal affair of Burma, replied Jiang
responding to a follow-up question.
PICCUTA