JULY 3 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: YANG DPRK VISIT, PAPAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 004457

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC KS KN JA VT MP RS SN MY SY EC
IN, CH
SUBJECT: JULY 3 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: YANG DPRK VISIT, PAPAL
LETTER, TIBETAN ENVOY, CLIMATE CHANGE, FOOD SAFETY, VISITS,
MORE

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1. Key points at the July 3 MFA Press Conference were:

-- The MFA said FM Yang would meet with DPRK leader Kim Jong
Il this afternoon.

-- China holds an open attitude toward the restarting of the
Six-Party Talks and all parties should jointly set a date for
the resumption of talks.

-- The spokesman referred reporters to previous statements
when asked for comment on the Pope's letter to Chinese
Catholics released this weekend.

-- The MFA blamed media hype when asked about controversy
surrounding China's food export safety standards.

-- FM Yang will visit Russia July 12-15, Vice PM Wu Yi will
travel to Singapore July 9-12 and Mauritius PM Ramgoolam will
visit China July 9-14 as will Syria Deputy PM al-Dardari July
8-11 and Malaysia FM Albar July 9-13.

FM Yang to Meet Kim Jong Il, Six-Party Talks
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2. At the July 3 regular MFA press briefing, spokesman Qin
Gang said that FM Yang would meet with DPRK leader Kim
Jong-il this afternoon to convey China's will to solve the
Korean nuclear issue peacefully and to discuss the
implementation of the initial actions and the long-term
stability of Northeast Asia. Yang has met with FM Pak
Ui-chun and PM Kim Yong Il to discuss the strengthening of
the bilateral relationship, including in the areas of
agriculture and science and technology. They also discussed
economic bilateral cooperation.


3. China holds an open attitude on the restarting of the
Six-Party Talks, stated Qin in response to a question, adding
that a date for the resumption of Talks should be jointly set
by all parties.

No Further Comment on Pope's Letter, Cardinal Zen
-------------- --------------


4. The spokesman referred reporters to previous statements on
China-Vatican relations when asked for comment on the Pope's
letter to Chinese Catholics released this weekend. Asked for
the MFA's reaction to the Chinese Catholic Patriotic
Association head's criticism of Hong Kong's Cardinal Zen for
participating in demonstrations over the weekend, Qin said
the issue falls outside of his area of responsibility.

Dalai Lama Should Be Informed to Make Right Policy
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5. Lodi Gyari makes frequent trips to China and is not
traveling as the Dalai Lama's "Special Envoy," Qin said
commenting on the visit. China's consistent policy is that
it sincerely cares for the spiritual needs of Tibetans and
hopes Tibetans abroad will cherish every opportunity to visit
China and convey to the Dalai Lama the real situation so that
he can make the right policy, Qin added.

Climate Change: Developed Nations Should Give Support
-------------- --------------


6. The MFA has taken note of Ban Ki-moon's comments, replied
Qin when asked about the UN Secretary General's remarks that
China should do more to fight climate change. Qin emphasized
that developed countries should do more to shoulder the
responsibility of climate change, for example, by providing
technical support to developing countries. Asked about news
that research evidencing pollution's harm to civilians in
China was left out of a World Bank report, the spokesman said
he had noticed the reports.

Food Export Safety: Rationalism, Not Media Hype
-------------- --


7. China attaches great importance to the safety of food
exports and Chinese imports should enjoy the reputation of
high quality at a good price, said Qin when asked why Chinese
products were at the center of controversy. Unscrupulous

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traders, differing systems and specific cases not indicative
of exports as a whole have fed recent media hype and
politicization creating consumer panic, said Qin. China
understands the concern but hopes the media will adopt a
constrained and rational view to ensure safe and reliable
products for international consumers, he added.

Visits: FM Yang to Russia, Wu Yi to Singapore
--------------


8. FM Yang will visit Russia July 12-15 and Vice PM Wu Yi
will visit Singapore July 9-12 to co-chair the 9th
China-Singapore Joint Steering Council meeting and the 4th
China-Singapore bilateral cooperation joint-committee
meeting. At the invitation of PM Wen, Mauritius PM Ramgoolam
will visit China July 9-14. Syria Deputy PM al-Dardari will
visit July 8-11, as will Malaysia FM Albar July 9-13.

Conflict in Ecuador, Japan and History
--------------


9. The MFA said a conflict at oil facilities of a Chinese
company in Ecuador has been stabilized with no Chinese
injuries and gave no information on a potential visit by
Ecuador President Correa. Asked about activities
commemorating the Anti-Japanese War, Qin reiterated China's
stance that Japan should take history as a mirror and
properly handle historical issues.
RANDT