JUNE 19 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, TIP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 004132 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM EFIN ETTC KN JA IZ SU SP PM VT CH SUBJECT: JUNE 19 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, TIP REPORT, HIGH-TECH EXPORT CONTROLS, HUMAN RIGHTS, SUDAN, IRAQI PRESIDENT VISIT, HONG KONG ANNIVERSARY, SUPPORT FOR ABBAS, VATICAN RELATIONS, JAPAN TERRITORY DISPUTE, VISITS BEIJING 00004132 001.2 OF 003 ¶1. Key points at the June 19 MFA Press Conference were: -- The spokesman said the DPRK's invitation to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) affirms the DPRK's political will to implement the initial actions of the February 13 Joint Document. -- The Chinese Government places importance on protecting human rights and countering smuggling and will consider constructive criticism from human rights groups. -- Both sides should make joint efforts to promote bilateral trade, said Qin when asked about United States' plans to tighten controls on high-tech exports to China. -- Exchange between the Mainland and Hong Kong SAR continues to improve as does confidence in the Basic Law and "one country, two systems" arrangement -- Visits: King Juan Carlos of Spain will pay a state visit June 24-29 and UNGA President Haya is currently visiting China until June 24. Six-Party Talks -------------- ¶2. At the June 19 regular MFA press briefing, spokesman Qin Gang asserted that the DPRK's invitation to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) affirms the DPRK's political will to implement the initial actions of the February 13 Joint Document. Qin thanked all parties for their constructive and positive efforts and expressed the MFA's hope that the initial actions can be implemented in a comprehensive and balanced way. Qin confirmed that A/S Hill met with VFM Wu Dawei yesterday and that both sides agreed to take positive steps toward the implementation of the initial actions. The starting date for the next round of Six-Party Talks is still under consultation, added the spokesman. TIP Report Reaction, Brickyard Slaves -------------- ¶3. The Chinese Government places importance on protecting human rights and countering smuggling, said Qin commenting on the recently released State Department Trafficking in Persons Report. China continues to participate in international law enforcement cooperation and handles the trafficking issue in accordance with international and domestic law and with a humanitarian spirit, he added. China calls on the �00A;international community to take joint efforts on this issue and hopes the United States can develop a clearer picture of the situation in China. ¶4. China will consider constructive criticism from human rights groups, said Qin in response to a question on the recent scandal on forced labor in Chinese brickyards. The Chinese Government stands firm in cracking down on illegal labor practices and parties that violate child labor laws will be punished. High-Tech Export Controls, IMF Currency Policy -------------- - ¶5. Both sides need to make joint efforts if the United States wants to promote bilateral trade with China, said Qin when asked about U.S. plans to tighten controls on high-tech exports to China. Qin remarked that one way to improve bilateral trade would be to relax trade controls, not tighten them. The MFA hopes such controls do not become an obstacle to bilateral trade. Asked about new moves by the IMF that support the Bush administration's efforts toward the revaluation of China's currency, the spokesman stated that the IMF is an international organization and thus should make policy on exchange rates in an objective and just manner. New Rules in the UN Human Rights Council -------------- ¶6. Asked about China's proposed changes to new rules in the UN Human Rights Council for launching investigations against countries suspected of rights abuses, Qin said that the BEIJING 00004132 002.2 OF 003 Council had reached consensus with broad support of the Council members and would adopt new rules at 10:00 Geneva time this morning. The spokesman noted China's constructive efforts to protect justice and seriousness of the Council and to prevent abuse and confrontations in the Council over political issues. Africa Envoy Liu's Comments on Sudan -------------- ¶7. Qin expressed hope that Special Envoy Liu Guijin's recent comments can be comprehensively and objectively understood, when asked by a reporter if Liu's comments that China used "direct language" to convince Sudan to accept the Annan Plan marked a change in China's non-interference policy. China has taken positive and constructive efforts aimed at an early solution to the Darfur issue including high-level meetings, special representatives and cooperation with the UN and AU, Qin added. China hopes relevant parties can come to a proper solution through fair consultation, a goal in common with that of the international community. Iraq President Visit, China's Hopes for Iraq -------------- ¶8. China's Iraq policy respects Iraqi sovereignty and has the goal of providing security and prosperity for the Iraqi people, Qin said responding to an Al Jazeera reporter's criticisms that China waited 50 years to invite the President of a now occupied Iraq to visit. China hopes relevant parties support reconstruction efforts to allow Iraqis to live in peace. Qin said the two sides would sign agreements in health and education during the visit. Ten-Year Anniversary of Hong Kong's Return -------------- ¶9. The spokesman stated that exchange between the Mainland and Hong Kong SAR continues to improve as does confidence in Hong Kong's Basic Law and the "one country, two systems" arrangement. He stressed that the people of Hong Kong and the Mainland are of one history and one blood and that Hong Kong's future is brighter and brighter. China Supports Abbas and the Palestinian People -------------- -- ¶10. China supports the political cause of the Palestinian government so long as it is in the legitimate interests of the Palestinian people, said Qin when asked by an Al Jazeera reporter why China supported the Abbas government even though it did not have the approval of the Palestine Authority. China is deeply concerned about the violence in the region and hopes disputes can be resolved through dialogue so that the livelihood of Palestinians can improve, commented Qin. Hopes For Improved China-Vatican Relations -------------- -- ¶11. China hopes for improved relations with the Vatican and is open to dialogue with Vatican officials, said the spokesman hen asked about reports that the Pope would clear a draft of a letter to Chinese Catholics with the Chinese Government. Pressed on whether China could accept the Vietnam model of joint input in naming bishops, Qin stressed that any agreement reached with the Vatican must meet China's two "well-known preconditions" of severing ties with Taiwan and not interfering in Chinese internal affairs. Japan "Islands" Actually a "Reef" -------------- ¶12. Qin emphasized that Okinotori Islands, also known as the Douglas Reef, constitute a reef, not islands, and thus in accordance with the UN Convention of the Law of the Seas do not fall into Japan's 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. Panama Ties Could Lead to New Relations -------------- BEIJING 00004132 003.2 OF 003 ¶13. Through increasing mutual ties, China believes there is a brighter chapter for the development of bilateral relations with Panama, said Qin when asked if recent communications between the two countries could lead to the formal re-establishment of bilateral ties. The Taiwan Question is the only obstacle to the realization of formal diplomatic relations between China and the few Central American nations who do not recognize the People's Republic of China, Qin stated. Visits: King of Spain, UNGA President Haya -------------- ¶14. King Juan Carlos of Spain will pay a state visit June 24-29, meeting with President Hu Jintao, PM Wen Jiabao and NPC Chairman Wu Bangguo and will visit Shanghai and Chengdu as well as Beijing. The King's visit will pay special attention to development opportunities in China's western provinces, said the spokesman. ¶15. UNGA President Haya, currently visiting China until June 24, will meet with FM Yang and PM Wen and attend the opening ceremony of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (IAESCSI),Qin said when asked about the purpose of the visit. PICCUTA