SEPTEMBER 11 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: NUCLEAR EXPERTS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 005946 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER KOLY SENV KS KN PK RS SR JA CH FR SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER 11 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: NUCLEAR EXPERTS IN DPRK, OLYMPIC SECURITY, SIX-PARTY TALKS, CYBER ATTACKS, MISSING RUSSIAN TOURISTS, NAWAZ SHARIF DEPORTATION, DALAI LAMA BEIJING 00005946 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. Key points at the September 11 MFA Press Briefing were: -- Teams of Chinese and Russian nuclear experts have arrived in Pyongyang to discuss specifics of the disablement of DPRK nuclear facilities. -- No date has been set for the upcoming Six-Party Talks. -- The PRC is working with the international community to prevent terrorist attacks during the Olympics and opposes linking terrorism to any specific country or religion. -- Chinese citizens are frequent victims of cyber-attacks and China stands ready to work with other countries to combat cyber-crime, but to date has not received any such requests. -- China will work closely with Russian experts to search for six missing Russian tourists in Xinjiang. -- Visits: Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic will visit China September 12-14. DPRK: Nuclear Experts Arrive, PRC Ambassador Leaves -------------- -------------- ¶2. At the September 11 regular MFA press briefing, spokeswoman Jiang Yu confirmed that Russian and Chinese teams of nuclear experts arrived in the DPRK on September 11 to discuss the specifics of the disablement of nuclear facilities. She said in response to an inquiry regarding the return to China of PRC Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Xiaoming that the return was a "normal" one for annual leave, but added that she would check on the details. No Date Set for Six-Party Talks -------------- ¶3. When asked for details about the upcoming Six-Party Talks, Jiang replied that, while China is working with other countries to prepare for the event, no date has been set at this time. Olympic Security -------------- ¶4. In response to a request for information on any specific group that the Chinese government fears as a terrorist threat to the Olympics, Jiang stated that the Chinese government is sparing no effort for Olympic security and has the resolve and capability to hold a successful Olympics. When further pressed for information regarding specific instances of international cooperation regarding Olympic security, Jiang redirected the reporter to the "relevant authorities," but stressed that China is working with the international community and does not link terrorism to any specific nation or religion. China a Victim of Cyber Attacks, Stands Ready to Help -------------- -------------- ¶5. Asked for comments on a French report detailing cyber-attacks by and on Chinese citizens, Jiang said that Chinese were frequently the victims of cyber-attacks, China has strict laws against "hacking" and the Chinese government stands ready to work with other countries to combat cyber-crime. She added that she had checked with "relevant authorities" the week before and they did not report receiving any requests from other countries to cooperate in investigations. China wants to strengthen channels for cooperation in this regard, Jiang said. Dalai Lama Congressional Gold Medal Visit -------------- ¶6. Responding to a request for comment on the Dalai Lama's planned trip to the United States to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, Jiang emphasized that Tibet is a part of the Chinese territory. She said that the Dalai Lama is not merely a religious figure, but a political force involved in efforts to split the motherland. China hopes that other countries recognize these "splittist" activities. Pakistani Deportation of Sharif is Internal Affair -------------- -------------- ¶7. Asked about the Chinese assessment of Pakistan's recent deportation of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Jiang BEIJING 00005946 002.2 OF 002 responded that such matters are the internal affairs of Pakistan and that Pakistanis themselves will best maintain the stability and development of their nation. China Working with Russia on Missing Tourists -------------- ¶8. Jiang stated that the Chinese government is extremely concerned about the fate of six Russian tourists missing in the northwest province of Xinjiang for eight days. China has mobilized search and rescue activities and all efforts are being made to find them. Jiang added that China would be cooperating with a team of Russian search experts that arrived in China on September 11, but ignored a reporter's suggestion that the tourists could have been kidnapped. PRC Censoring Meteorologists? -------------- ¶9. Jiang refused to comment on reports that the Chinese government is actively restricting or censoring the reports and information of meteorologists in an effort to cover up poor air quality. Jiang instead referred journalists to the Meteorological Bureau. Upcoming Visit of Serbian Foreign Minister -------------- ¶10. Jiang announced that Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic will visit China September 12-14 at the invitation of FM Yang Jiechi. Randt