JULY 5 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 004483 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNSC KS KN JA PM GT PA AS DR RS VT IT, CH SUBJECT: JULY 5 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, AUSTRALIAN DEFENSE PAPER, TAIWAN FM TRIP, PAPAL LETTER, WORLD BANK POLLUTION REPORT, JAPAN, EU FREE MARKET STATUS, PAKISTAN ¶1. Key points at the July 5 MFA Press Conference were: -- It is imperative for all sides to fulfill commitments to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and China holds an open attitude toward the resumption of Six-Party Talks. -- China hopes Defense Minister Nelson's upcoming visit will strengthen exchanges, increase mutual trust and allow Australia to make an objective judgment of China's development goals. -- The United States should not allow or encourage "splittist" activities in the United States. -- Relevant departments in China are cooperating with the World Bank on research for a World Bank report on pollution. Denuclearization Commitments Must Be Fulfilled -------------- - ¶2. At the July 5 regular MFA press briefing, spokesman Qin Gang repeated that China holds an open attitude toward resumption of the Six-Party Talks, saying that the relevant information would be released in due course. Qin stressed that it is imperative for all sides to fulfill commitments to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula when asked if Yongbyon must be shut down in order for the Talks to restart. Asked about reports that the Russian FM has called for a meeting of the Six-Party Talks Heads of Delegation, Qin replied that the MFA has noticed the remarks and are in communication with the relevant parties. The spokesman gave no information on FM Yang's trip to the DPRK. Australian Def. Minister's Visit, 2007 Defense Paper -------------- -------------- ¶3. China hopes Defense Minister Nelson's upcoming visit will strengthen exchanges, increase mutual trust and allow Australia to make an objective judgment of China's development goals, Qin replied when asked about the visit. Commenting on Australia's 2007 Defense Paper, which according to reporters calls China's rapid military expansion a threat to stability in Asia, the spokesman emphasized the defensive nature of China's defense policy, quoted Australian officials praise and encouragement for China's growth and development and called for consistency in relevant countries' foreign policy. Taiwan FM Annette Lu's Trip to Central America -------------- - ¶4. China calls on the United States to abide by commitments in the joint communiques with China to oppose "Taiwan independence" and not allow or encourage "splittist" activities in the United States, said the spokesman when asked about Taiwan "Foreign Minister" Annette Lu's trip to Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay and the Dominican Republic. Cooperation with World Bank on Pollution Report -------------- -- ¶5. Relevant departments in China are cooperating with the World Bank on research for a World Bank report on pollution, Qin said responding to questions on reports that China asked the World Bank to withhold statistis on premature deaths in China caused by polltion. Qin added that the research has not cocluded and the report has not yet been released, before referring reporters to the relevant departments for further details. No Further Comments on Pope's Letter -------------- ¶6. The spokesman again referred reporters to his previous statements on the matter, when asked to comment on criticism in the Hong Kong media that the Pope's letter to Chinese Catholics is an obstacle to progress in China-Vatican relations. BEIJING 00004483 002 OF 002 New Japanese Defense Minister's Ties to Taiwan? -------------- -- ¶7. Qin spoke positively on China and Japan's consensus for cooperation and promotion of the bilateral relationship, when asked about Japan's new Defense Minister Yuriko Koike. He said that regardless of a person's political party or views, he or she must serve his or her nation's interests upon assuming a high government position, when asked about reports that Yuriko Koike has close ties to Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan. Qin expressed hope that Japan would properly handle the Taiwan question and uphold its commitments in the two sides' three political documents. Illegal Border Crosser in Jilin -------------- ¶8. Qin reiterated China's consistent stance on illegal border crossers and intention to fulfill obligations to relevant countries on such issues, when asked about reports of an illegal border crosser robbing Chinese citizens at gun point near the DPRK border in Jilin Province. Lal Masjid, EU Market Status, Hostages in Vegas -------------- -- ¶9. China supports the Pakistani Government's measures taken to safeguard social stability and economic development, said Qin when asked about the Lal Masjid Mosque situation in Islamabad. Asked for information on reports that Italian PM Prodi promised China to push for the EU's granting China "free market status," Qin replied that such recognition would benefit both China and the EU and promote the development of the two side's economic relations. The spokesman was not aware of reports on a Chinese acrobat group held hostage in Las Vegas. RANDT