SUBJECT: JULY 12 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 004642

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC KS KN BM NG IS JO EG MK RS TX
SU, CH
SUBJECT: SUBJECT: JULY 12 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY
TALKS, MISSIONARY EXPULSIONS, U.S.-BURMA MEETING, IMF
DIRECTOR SELECTION, KIDNAPPING IN NIGER, VISITS



1. Key points at the July 12 MFA Press Conference were:

-- The MFA announced the meeting between the Six-Party Heads
of Delegation July 18-19 in Beijing.

-- The spokesman has noticed reports of a campaign to expel
foreign missionaries, consulted relevant departments in China
and found that no such activity is underway.

-- At the request of the United States and Burma, China
helped arrange a meeting in Beijing between representatives
of the two countries, dialogue which China believes is
constructive and helpful.

-- Visits: FM Yang departed for Russia today where he will
meet with FM Lavrov and other leaders, Sudan VP Taha will
visit China July 17-22, President Berdimuhammedov of
Turkmenistan will make a state visit to China July 17-18,
Macedonia FM Milososki will visit China July 17-20 and
China's Special Envoy to the Middle East Sun Bigan will visit
Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Israel July 17-21.

-- The MFA press briefings will go on summer recess beginning
next week and will resume on September 4.

Six-Party Heads of Delegation Meeting
--------------


2. At the July 12 regular MFA press briefing, spokesman Qin
Gang announced that there will be a meeting between the
Six-Party Heads of Delegation July 18-19 in Beijing. He said
that in such a complicated situation, which includes the
issue of a long-term peace mechanism for Northeast Asia, all
parties must work together through peaceful dialogue on an
equal footing and that actions would be based on the
principle of action-for-action and commitment-for-commitment,
when asked what "the next stage" in the denuclearization of
the Korean Peninsula might entail. Asked about a possible
meeting of the six parties' foreign ministers, Qin replied
that various parties have made suggestions and China is open
to such suggestions. Qin said he has not heard anything
about a meeting between the foreign ministers of the United
States, China, the DPRK and the ROK. UN resolutions relating
to the DPRK are up to the consensus of the permanent members
of the UN Security Council, the spokesman stated in response
to a question on the lifting of sanctions on the DPRK.

MFA Denies Orchestrated Missionary Expulsions
-------------- -


3. Asked about reports of a campaign to expel foreign
missionaries in the lead up to the 2008 Olympics, the
spokesman stated he had noticed the reports, consulted
relevant departments in China and found that no such activity
was underway.

United States-Burma Meeting Constructive
--------------


4. At the request of the United States and Burma, China
helped arrange a meeting in Beijing between representatives
of the two countries, said Qin when asked for confirmation by
a reporter. China believes direct dialogue and exchange of
views is constructive and helpful.

IMF Head Should Consider Developing Nations
--------------


5. China is studying the EU's support of Strauss-Kahn to
become the new IMF director, said Qin replying to media
suggestion that the incoming director should hail from Asia.
China believes the interests of developing countries'
economic and financial issues should be considered when
selecting a new director, Qin added.

Kidnapping in Niger, Internet Censorship?
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6. The Governments of China and Niger are actively working to
ensure the safe and early release of hostages, Qin said
commenting on the kidnapping of an executive from a Chinese
uranium mining company and the company's subsequent pullout
from Niger. Bilateral economic and trade cooperation are
based on a policy of equality and mutual benefit, and support
Niger's development, Qin stated. He added that the Chinese
Government supports Chinese enterprises in Africa. The
spokesman was not aware of the Israeli-run website
www.ch.shvoong.com when asked about rumors thatthe site had
been blocked in China.

Visits FM Yang to Russia, Sudan VP to China, More
-------------- --------------


7. FM Yang departed for Russia today where he will meet with
FM Lavrov and other leaders and will visit Moscow and St.
Petersburg, said Qin. The spokesman announced that Sudan VP
Taha will visit July 17-22 and will meet with VP Zeng and
other leaders to discuss issues of common interest and
Darfur.


8. President Berdimuhammedov of Turkmenistan will make a
state visit to China July 17-18 at the invitation of
President Hu, and Macedonia FM Milososki will visit China
July 17-20. China's Special Envoy to the Middle East Sun
Bigan will visit Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Israel July
17-21 to discuss regional issues, particularly the
Israel-Palestine issue.
RANDT