SEPTEMBER 4 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: COMPUTER HACKING,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 005792 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL SENV SOCI PINR MARR UNSC KS KN IR AS JA, UK, TW, CH SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 4 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: COMPUTER HACKING, MILITARY TRANSPARENCY, SPECIAL REP FOR CLIMATE CHANGE, TAIWAN, DPRK NORMALIZATION TALKS, MORE ¶1. Key points at the September 4 MFA Press Briefing were: -- China calls allegations that the Chinese military hacked into Pentagon computer systems "groundless" and representative of a "Cold War mentality." -- China will begin annual reporting to the UN on military spending and resume participation in the UN Conventional Weapons Registry. -- China holds a "prudent and responsible" attitude toward arms trading and follows its international obligations, UN Charter resolutions as well as domestic rules and regulations in this regard. -- The establishment of a special representative to international negotiations on climate change demonstrates China's great attention to this issue and participation in this regard. -- China welcomes the progress of United States-DPRK meetings in Geneva and supports the improvement of U.S.-DPRK relations. Accusations of Chinese Hacking "Groundless" -------------- ¶2. At the September 4 regular MFA press briefing, spokeswoman Jiang Yu called allegations that the Chinese military hacked into Pentagon computer systems "groundless" and representative of a "Cold War mentality." Jiang said that hacking is a common activity of which China is also "frequently" victim. Steps to Increase Military Transparency at UN -------------- ¶3. The Chinese Government has decided to begin annual reporting to the United Nations on military spending and to resume participation in the UN Conventional Weapons Registry, Jiang told reporters. Jiang added that the two measures further efforts toward military transparency, increase military trust with other countries and enhance international peace and stability. Chinese Weapons in Afghanistan -------------- ¶4. China holds a "prudent and responsible" attitude toward arms trading and follows its international obligations, UN Charter resolutions and domestic rules and regulations in this regard, stated Jiang when asked about an investigation into the use of Chinese weapons by the Taliban. She reiterated China's three requirements that must be met before selling conventional weapons. The buyer must clarify the "end user," weapons may not be sold to any third party and weapons may only be sold to governments, Jiang said. Special Representative Appointed for Climate Change -------------- -------------- ¶5. Responding to a Xinhua News Agency reporter's question, Jiang confirmed the establishment of a special representative to international negotiations on climate change, which will work under the MFA's Department of Treaty and Law. Yu Qingtai, who previously has served at the UN and as Ambassador to Tanzania, has been appointed as the new envoy. The establishment of the new position is an important step toward implementation of the Government's "national program" on climate change and demonstrates China's great attention to this issue and participation in this regard. Bush-Hu Meeting, Opposition to "Taiwan Independence" -------------- -------------- ¶6. Asked if President Hu would raise Taiwan's referendum on UN membership with President Bush at their APEC meeting, Jiang reaffirmed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and the PRC Government is the only government that represents China. Jiang expressed hope that the Bush-Hu meeting will benefit bilateral ties, adding that opposition to "Taiwan independence" will help safeguard peace and stability and also jointly benefit U.S.-China relations. China Supports DPRK Talks with U.S., Japan -------------- ¶7. China welcomes the progress of recent United States-DPRK meetings in Geneva, supports the improvement of U.S.-DPRK BEIJING 00005792 002 OF 002 relations and hopes the "relevant parties" can maintain the positive momentum as a basis for mutual trust and to promote the Six-Party Talks process. China hopes Japan-DPRK meetings in Mongolia go "smoothly" and bring "great results," so that the two sides can solve issues at an early date. Jiang told reporters no date had yet been set for the next phase of Six-Party Talks. Child Labor and Education, FM Yang to UK? -------------- ¶8. Asked about reports that China's poor education system was contributing to the problem of child labor, the spokeswoman said China has all along respected the rights and interests of children and abides by conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO). Jiang had no information regarding a reporter's question on a possible visit to the UK by FM Yang. Randt