JULY 3 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: YANG DPRK VISIT, PAPAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 004457 SIPDIS SIPDIS 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 BEIJING 00004457 001.2 OF 002 ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- -------------- �0A; ¶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 BEIJING 00004457 002.2 OF 002 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